Texas Tech Recruiting Roundup, 7/16

Texas Tech has gone a few weeks now without getting a recruit. That's nothing to worry about though since the Red Raiders already have 19 commits under their belt for the 2016 class. This week I'll take a look at a DFW area wide receiver, a defensive tackle who has been getting a lot of attention as of late, and a linebacker from Houston that Tech's had their eye on for a while.

Kofi Boateng | 6'1, 177 lbs | Wide Reciever

Lamar High School (Arlington, TX)

24/7: 87 | Rivals: 3-Star | Scout: 3-Star

Kofi Boateng is from the same high school as Longhorn commit and 4-Star QB Shane Buechele, but it seems as though Boateng will go his own way in his college football recruitment. Tech offered Boateng back in December and has stayed high on his list since. In May Boateng released his top 10 which included the Red Raiders. As you can see in his film below, Boateng is great at making in-air adjustments. He can adjust to under thrown balls or can fight around the defender to come down with it. He also has great field awareness when running routes and catching passes on the sideline. I know Tech already has quite a few receivers committed for the 2016 class but Boateng would be a great addition.

Ross Blacklock | 6'3, 325 lbs | Defensive Tackle

Elkins High School (Missouri City, TX)

24/7: 89 | Rivals: 3-Star | Scout: 3-Star

Ross Blacklock has been getting a lot of attention here lately. Blacklock visited Alabama this past week and will also be playing in the Semper Fi All American Bowl this coming year. While he is getting attention from big programs like LSU and Alabama, Blacklock could want to play for a school where he can see the field earlier. Blacklock uses his size and strength to bully through high school linemen. He can either plow by them or engage the linemen, throw him out of the way, then make the play. Things might change a little when he gets in college and faces more prominent linemen but that's nothing a little practice can't master. Blacklock would be a nice addition to Tech's d-line if he choses to be a Red Raider.

Maciah Long | 6'2", 220 lbs | Linebacker

North Shore High School (Houston, TX)

24/7: 88 | Rivals: 3-Star | Scout: 3-Star

Maciah Long is an interesting recruit. He is his team's starting quarterback but many colleges are pursuing him as a linebacker. It's not because he can't play quarterback either, last year he threw for 2251 yards and 28 touchdowns and also ran for 767 yards and 8 touchdowns. Long's mechanics as a passer are still pretty raw so that's why I believe school's are going after him as a linebacker. I'm not sure if he's wanting hold out for a school to offer him as a QB or if he's content with playing linebacker at the next level. I tried to find defensive film of him but all I could come up with is his QB highlights. The video below is him at quarterback but as you can see, he is a gifted recruit. If Tech was to land Long they would be getting a talented athlete.

In other recruiting news, 2015 wide receiver JF Thomas will be at Trinity Valley Community College this upcoming season after not qualifying to enroll at Texas Tech. Thomas faced a lot of off-field struggles this past year, his mother became ill and was in a coma at a hospital. While things were rough off the field, Thomas thrived on it and had an amazing season. Thomas has a great relationship with Tech's Emmett Jones so it wouldn't surprise me to see Thomas eventually come to Lubbock.

2016 Football Commits

Da'Leon Ward: Running Back, Skyline High School (Dallas, TX)

Donte Coleman: Tight End, West Mequite High School (Mesquite, TX)

Emoree Giddens: Offensive Line, Coronado High School (Lubbock, TX)

Gio Pancotti: Offensive Line, Episcopal High School (Bellaire, TX)

Neiman Armstrong: Cornerback, DeSoto High School (DeSoto, TX)

Antoine Cox-Wesley: Wide Receiver, Steele High School (Cibolo, TX)

Jett Duffey: Dual-Threat Quarterback, Lake Ridge High School (Mansfield, TX)

Bryson Denley: Athlete (RB, WR), Steele High School (Cibolo, TX)

DeQuan Bowman: Wide Receiver, Hutchinson CC (Hutchinson, KS)

Derrick Willies: Wide Receiver, Trinity Valley CC (Athens, TX)

Mychealon Thomas: Defensive Tackle, Butler CC (El Dorado, KS)

Brayden Stringer: Linebacker, Cypress Ranch High School (Cypress, TX)

Ivory Jackson: Defensive Tackle, Amarillo High School (Amarillo, TX)

T.J. Vasher: Wide Receiver, Rider High School (Wichita Falls, TX)

DaMarcus Fields: Cornerback, Taylor High School (Taylor, TX)

Johnathan Picone: Linebacker, Mandeville High School (Mandeville, LA)

Houston Miller: Defensive End, Keller High School (Keller, TX)

Noah Jones: Defensive End, Southmoore High School (Moore, OK)

Jordyn Brooks: Linebacker, Stratford High School (Houston, TX)