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Here's a nice little surprise for you. Tristen Wallace, 90 rated 2016 Wide Receiver, committed to Texas Tech late Sunday night over the likes of UCLA, Nebraska and Ohio State. This gives Texas Tech their foundation for the 2016 class and their 1st Blue Chip commitment. This is my review of Tristen Wallace just a couple of months ago:
Tristen Wallace - Dual Threat Quarterback (DeSoto HS, DeSoto, TX)
Height Weight 40 time 6'3" 225 lbs 4.40 Ratings: 90 by 247 / 3-star by ESPN / 5.7 by Rivals / 4-star by Scout
Interest: Ohio State (Warm), UCLA (Warm), Texas Tech (Warm), Nebraska (Warm)
Tristen Wallace was just offered by Texas Tech a few days ago, becoming only the 6th QB offered since Kingsbury took over the head coaching job in December of 2013. Texas Tech was the 6th offer, with other offers coming from Indiana, SMU, Nebraska, Ohio State and UCLA. Texas Tech is familiar with the DeSoto team, already offering 2017 WR KD Nixon, but hadn't offered Wallace until now. One reason why Tech might've waited until now to offer him may be because he missed the start of the season with an ankle injury, who finally returned last week. It's evident that Kingsbury wants to run a system with a Dual Threat QB (after tomorrow's game, I can see why), and Wallace looks like he's a type of QB Kingsbury wants, big and fast. Now let's take a look at what Tristen Wallace can do on film. Wallace is tall QB who has explosive speed who can hit the hole and sprint several yards down the field before being touched. He runs the option well and has enough acceleration to hit the hole hard and leave defenders in the dust. Not only that, but he has good balance and keeps his feet moving, making him hard to bring down. I haven't a whole of film on him throwing, but from what I've seen, he tries to get the ball in tight windows where only his receiver can get it. From what I've seen of Wallace, he seems like someone that Tech would love to have on their roster. I think we'll continue to see this coaching staff around DeSoto recruiting Wallace and a handful of other athletes.
Now obviously I reviewed him as a DT QB, but I''l review him as a receiver in a little bit. Tristen Wallace was offered by Texas Tech after a DeSoto put up 55 points in a playoff game against Coppell. They eventually lost to the State Champions in Allen, but Desoto is poised to run the state next year. Tech was the 5th offer for Wallace, but it was an important one. According to Matt Clare, Tristen had some family members that were former Tech players. Brent and Trent Nickerson were player for Tech in late 2000's. They actually went to my high school, and one of them is now a coach there. Anyway, even though it's a dead period, Wallace decided to shut down his recruitment to commit to the Red Raiders. He told Matt Clare that despite playing Quarterback, he will play Wide Receiver at Texas Tech.
Now let's a look at what Tristen Wallace will bring to Tech. What I like about Wallace is his running style, balance and speed. He had long strides and runs like a sprinter would. It only takes him a few steps to run 10 yards. If he gets open space, he's getting a lot of extra yards. I also love his balance. When defenders dive at him and try to take him down, he's able to keep on running and get extra yards. Arm tackles and shoe string tackles aren't going to bring him down. Finally, Tristen has killer speed. According to 247sports, he has 4.40 speed, but who knows how accurate that is. Either way, after his first few steps, he's flying down the sideline. If you don't get him early, you're going to have a bad time. Obviously there's no film of him catching the ball, but he looks like a polished runner and someone who will be hard to bring down.
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The 2016 class is starting to get momentum. Tech picked up a big commitment last June with Collin Wilder and now with a huge WR in Tristen Wallace. Tech has the 32nd ranked class right now with only 2 commitments, but they have a good average recruiting rank and are one of the best classes with 2 commits. Not only that, but some recruits took notice of the commitment, including Chanse Sylvie (a 3-star DB). Starting in a week or so, Tech is going to go full speed ahead finishing their 2015 class and getting really started on their 2016 class. It's going to be an interesting month.