Red Raider Gridiron: Northwestern RB Venric Mark Considering Texas Tech; Defensive Line Preview

Mark Thinking About Texas Tech. Northwestern RB Venric Mark is considering transferring to Texas Tech as well as some FCS schools, but Texas Tech has apparently told Mark that there aren't any scholarships available and he would have to walk-on.  The article linked says that Mark intends on walking-on, which is pretty amazing.  Mark's mother lives in Lubbock, which is why there is a connection there.  Mark ran for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns and would be a senior, so there would need to be some thing from an NCAA perspective for this to work out for Texas Tech.

Roster Analysis. Via the LAJ, a short blurb about each player and a quote from a coach (see the link for the quote):

* LT Dominique Robertson: Coaches have not committed to Robertson being at left tackle and coaches are still trying to find the best combination.
* MLB Mike Mitchell: Will sit out 2014 and is incredibly athletic. Will sit out the learn to learn the system and continue to develop.
* IR Zach Austin: A walk-on from Lake Travis redshirted last year. Runs good routes, but needs to get stronger to block.

Defensive Line Preview. John Scott, Jr. takes a look at the defensive line.

Stockton Impressing. Via the SAEN, Head coach Kliff Kingsbury talked a bit about freshman RB Justin Stockton and what he envisions for him:

"Any time you can get personnel on the field and the defense won't know what group we are in is a huge advantage for the offense," Kingsbury said. "He's a guy who when he gets the system down, we feel like we can move him around and a lot of different things with him."

Grantland Looks at Big 12. Everyone's favorite neighborhood blogger, Holly Anderson with Grantland, takes a long look at the Big 12 and like a lot of people, they just don't know what to do with Texas Tech:

From the Reply Even Hazier; Try Again department: What to do with Texas Tech (which, remember, went 8-5 overall but 4-5 in league play in 2013)? Quarterback Davis Webb gets to play behind an offensive line that returns in its entirety, led by Le'Raven Clark, a guy we're putting alongside Stanford's Andrus Peat in our all-Game of Thrones O-line. There's new blood on the sideline on special teams, and a host of defensive imports who are experienced college football players, but not for Texas Tech. There is also the admission that our assessment of Red Raiders football can be easily swayed by dance videos.

Batch Improving Pittsburgh. Of course, we've talked with Baron Batch, but you can read about him here and how he's trying to improve a local neighborhood in Pittsburgh with his new business with another former NFL player:

Hand grenades, astronauts and elephants are among his signature images, and he frequently incorporates text in his paintings. In addition to canvasses, he'll paint objects from an old guitar to antique gear cogs or a crosscut saw emblazoned with the word "WORK" dozens of times. He uses mixed media, painting over screen printed photographs or carefully curated collages of newspapers to create a larger theme.

If Mr. Batch is the avant-garde polymath, Mr. Malecki is the Ron Swanson craftsman of the duo, creating custom-made furniture from reclaimed woods and metals.

Robertson Becoming Vocal. Via KCBD, BLB Pete Robertson talks about how he is wanting to become a more vocal leader for this team:

"With me being a voice on the team, I want to come out and make sure everyone has a good practice or a good game," Robertson said. "I'll make sure they get extra work after practice because we all want to be great."

Miscellaneous. The LAJ with a short bit about how the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for Kingsbury and the team and how it all came together.  The word "grandiose" is used by Kingsbury . . . Athlon Sports previews Texas Tech . . . what the heck? David Ubben predicts each Big 12 team's 2014 record and is able to make an entire conference fanbase angry . . . Bruce Feldman and Stewart Mandel preview the SEC and includes the Texas Tech vs. Arkansas game . . . the Austin American Statesman looks at three Texas Tech players, QB Davis Webb, RB DeAndre Washington and IR Jakeem Grant . .