Possible Red Raiders: A Weekly Recruiting Update - 8/5/2014

Trent Irwin - Wide Receiver (Hart HS, Newhall, CA)

Ratings: 95 by 247/ 82 by ESPN / 5.9 by Rivals

Interest: Stanford (Warmer), Arizona State (Warmer), California (Cool), Texas Tech (Cool)

Trent Irwin first appeared on the Red Raider's radar 3 weeks ago when Texas Tech offered the Wide Receiver from California. He got his first offer back in February of 2013 from Colorado and has been getting a bunch of offer since. His two leaders, Stanford and Arizona State, offered in February in 2014. Irwin attended a Stanford camp last summer and took visits to Cal and Arizona State this spring. I'm not sure of Tech's position with Trent right now, but Jarrett Stidham has approached the WR on twitter about joining Texas Tech. With Tech history of receivers, maybe we could surprise a lot of people and grab Irwin. However, I don't know his interest level with us right now. Let's take a look at what Irwin can do on the field. The best way to describe Trent Irwin is a vertical threat, down the field and in the air. By looking at his film, it's evident that he would be successful in a high passing offense. Even though his 40 time isn't high (supposedly), he has the ability to blaze down the sideline for the catch. There were many plays where he beat his man and was able to haul in the pass. He also is a tall receiver and can out jump his defenders for the ball. There were plays in his film where he caught the ball over a defender, leaning back and catching it in traffic. He would be a great fit in Kingsbury's version of the Air Raid offense. His QB right now is committed to Arizona State, and they are playing to run a high power passing attack, so I think they have a good shot to land him. However, with Stidham committed and a high power Tech offense, I think the Red Raiders have a chance at him.

Vaimoe Sekona - Defensive Tackle / Offensive Guard (Crespi HS, Encino, CA)

Ratings: 86 by 247 / 79 by ESPN / 5.5 by Rivals

Interest: USC (Warm), UCLA (Warm), Texas Tech (Warm), Hawaii (Cool)

Vaimoe Sekona received an offer from Texas Tech (Darrin Chiaverini) early in the year, and has been receiving offers from all over since then. He has offers from teams that include Miami, USC, UCLA and Oregon State. About a few months ago, he visited a USC practice and named USC his favorite. We haven't heard much about him since. Vaimoe is not a guy I know very well, so there's not much more I can say about him. I'm starting to run of the 2015 players I can review, so you may see more basketball reviews or 2016 reviews soon. Let's take a look at what Vaimoe Sekona can do on film. What impresses me about Vaimoe is that he moves well on his feet and has an explosive first hit. These type of attributes are great for offensive guards, as they sometimes need to pull a defender and get them on the ground quickly. They also can help for Defensive Tackles, which is what Sekona plays also. I'm not sure with position Tech is recruiting him as, but we would benefit from either position. While Sekona isn't as thick as some offensive linemen, he is strong, which should help him tremendously. I think Vaimoe Sekona will end up somewhere in the Pac-12, but maybe Tech can give them a run for their money.

Here are some more updates:

Football 2014:

• Sam Atoe, 82 rated JUCO OLB/S, committed to Texas Tech last Friday. He originally committed and signed to Cal, but was released from his scholarship in July and decided to come to Tech this past week. He should be able to play right away. Atoe is most suited for the Raider position.

Basketball 2014:

• Isaiah Manderson, 88 rated C, will no longer attend Oregon State and is looking at other schools to attend, including Texas Tech. He will visit the Red Raiders this Thursday. This could be a huge late addition to the 2014 class. Also has visited Cleveland State and Georgia State. Interest includes Miami, Purdue, Indiana, Memphis and Mizzou.
• Just another impressive dunk from Zach Smith.

Football 2015:

• Conner Dyer, 90 rated OT, committed to the Red Raiders Tuesday afternoon. Dyer was first recruited by Tech and has visited and taken interest in them ever since. The coaching staff's dedication and loyalty was key to the commitment. He is already trying to talk to recruits in this class. This marks the 8th commit and 3rd (or 4th, depending on what site) 4-star or higher commit.
• Aaron Garza, 87 rated OG, committed to Kansas this week. Tech had shown interest in the OG, but never offered him a scholarship. Was originally a Texas commit before decommitting.
• Jalen Austin, 84 rated WR, committed to TCU this weekend. He later reveled that Oregon and Tech were atop his list, but decided to commit to TCU after receiving an offer on a visit this weekend. He likely won't take his official visits anymore
• Kahlil Haughton, 86 rated S, named a Top 5 last week (BU, TTU, OU, Arky and Duke) and announced that he be committing this Friday. Many people have thought of Haughton as a Baylor lock for a while now, but I believe that he will choose the Red Raider this week. We'll see soon.
• Darrion Daniels, 88 rated DT, told 247sports his Top choices and places he plans to visit. Unfortunately, it is behind a paywall and I don't know weather Tech is listed or not.
• Chris Warren III, 92 rated ATH, will release a Top 5 list next Monday. He went to a Tech camp in June, but really haven't heard of him in a while. Don't think we'll make the list.
• Jamile Johnson JR, 89 rated S, decommitted from Oklahoma yesterday. Tech went after the S early on before he committed to the Sooners. Not sure if Tech will show interest again or not.
• Breiden Fehoko, 97 rated DT commit, teased yet another (sigh) possible commit on twitter. Here is the tweet if you haven't already seen it. Who knows who this could be. My guess personally would be Kahlil Haughton.

Basketball 2015:

• Jordan Jackson, 3-star SG, received an offer from Texas Tech last Friday. Texas Tech is so far his only offer from one of the power conferences. He said the Tech offer was his favorite thus far because he is the son of none other than Sheryl Swoopes. Here is a story on Jordan
• CJ Williamson, NR SF, named a Top 6 last week, and Texas Tech made the cut along with K-State, Alabama, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Washington State. He also will announce his college decision on November 26th.

Football 2016+:

• Mike Williams, 91 rated 2016 DT, will visit Texas Tech for the Oklahoma game this year. He is predicted to go to Oklahoma on 247sports right now

Basketball 2016+:

• Brandon Robinson, NR 2016 CG, received an offer from Texas Tech this past week, He has received several offers as of late, including FSU, Georgia, Alabama and Georgia Tech.