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With the 2016 recruiting class sitting at 25 commits, I will take a look at the Red Raiders upcoming offensive needs. This will give us a better idea of where the coaching staff might be looking at certain positions that are sitting pretty and what positions will need to be focused on in the coming years of recruiting. The below tables don't take in account the 2016 class since so much can change between now and February. The freshmen tally also includes walk-ons and redshirts.
Wide Receivers
| Wide Receivers | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Seniors | 2 | NA | 3 | 11 |
| Juniors | 3 | 3 | 11 | NA |
| Sophomores | 8 | 11 | NA | NA |
| Freshmen | 11 | NA | NA | NA |
As you can see, the Red Raiders have 24 wide receivers on this year's roster. Needless to say, that is a strong point for Texas Tech. 19 of those 24 are freshmen and sophomores. The talent looks to be there for the years to come. I'd imagine that over the next few years the coaching staff looks to bring in around 5 wide outs with each class.
Tight Ends & Fullbacks
| Tight Ends | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Seniors | NA | 1 | NA | 3 |
| Juniors | 1 | NA | 3 | NA |
| Sophomores | NA | 3 | NA | NA |
| Freshmen | 3 | NA | NA | NA |
I know that Texas Tech's tight ends are usually glorified wide receivers who are usually too big to play wide out but I would think that the Red Raiders target a handful of tight ends for the upcoming years. Donte Coleman will be a great addition to build off of if he does end up being a Red Raider. At this stage of recruiting he looks pretty solid and has been a big part of recruiting for the 2016 class. When it comes to fullbacks, let's be honest the Red Raiders don't utilize a fullback very often. I'm sure we'll see 1-2 walk-ons each year at the position.
Running Backs
| Running Backs | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Seniors | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Juniors | 1 | 1 | 2 | NA |
| Sophomores | 1 | 2 | NA | NA |
| Freshmen | 2 | NA | NA | NA |
While the Red Raiders may not have a ton of depth in the terms of the coming years, they do have a handful of talented guys who can be the lead back for the years to come. After DeAndre Washington, the Red Raiders have their choice of guys who are gifted and can carry the load. I still see the Red Raiders targeting 2-3 backs in the upcoming classes.
Quarterbacks
| Quarterbacks | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Seniors | NA | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Juniors | 2 | 2 | 1 | NA |
| Sophomores | 2 | 1 | NA | NA |
| Freshmen | 1 | NA | NA | NA |
You may have noticed, Texas Tech has some young talent at quarterback. Whether the starter be Davis Webb or Patrick Mahomes, the Red Raiders will have a solid starter for at least 2 years. Jett Duffey is the Red Raiders lone 2016 quarterback commit but I don't think he's going anywhere. I envision the coaching staff going after 1-2 quarterbacks each recruiting cycle.
Offensive Linemen
| Offensive Linemen | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2018 |
| Seniors | 6 | 1 | 2 | 12 |
| Juniors | 1 | 2 | 12 | NA |
| Sophomores | 2 | 12 | NA | NA |
| Freshmen | 12 | NA | NA | NA |
The Red Raiders loaded up on offensive linemen last year, and that's a good thing. After this year our offensive line is going to be pretty young. It would be great to see some off the freshmen really step up next year (2016) and fortify the line. This will be a story to watch during spring and fall camp next year. I'm sure the coaches will target a good amount of linemen in the upcoming classes, probably around 5-6 each cycle.
Make sure you check back next week when I cover Texas Tech's upcoming defensive needs.
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)
Nick McCann: Defensive Tackle, Arkansas High School (Texarkana, AR)
Austin Deshay: Defensive End, Hendrickson High School (Pflugerville, TX)
Travis Bruffy: Offensive Tackle, Ridge Point High School (Missouri City, TX)
Zach Adams: Offensive Tackle, Riverbend High School (Fredericksburg, VA)
Clarence Henderson: Defensive End, Skyline High School (Dallas, TX)
Joe Wallace: Defensive Tackle, Skyline High School (Dallas, TX)