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Classes are beginning for Texas Tech students today and they have some new faces joining them. Twelve freshmen have enrolled early to be a part of Texas Tech's spring football. A few of these new faces may be looking to make an impact on this team right away.
To me, the most important new guy to watch this spring will be Tech's highest-rated recruit, four-star offensive lineman Jack Anderson from Frisco, Texas. He will be joined by his Frisco teammate Dawson Deaton, a three-star offensive lineman. Jacob Hines, a two-star lineman, and Will Farrar, a three-star lineman, will be joining the offensive line early as well. For an offensive line that could use some improvement, Tech has a solid group coming in early this spring.
Two guys enrolling early could likely find themselves in the thick of Tech's quarterback competition with Nic Shimonek. McLane Carter right now appears to be the favorite to compete with him for the starting job with Jett Duffey suspended. Xavier Martin could find himself in the conversation if he impresses the coaches enough, but I believe he will be third string maybe even redshirted going into next season.
The other offensive player enrolling early is Bronson Boyd, a three-star wide receiver. While Tech is stacked at this position, Boyd could definitely use this year's spring practices to get well acquainted with the Air Raid offense. Boyd could get some playing time next season, but I could see Tech redshirting him as well.
What about defensive recruits? Tech will be having five defensive players enrolling early. Linebacker Tony Jones, a JUCO transfer from Butler County C.C. and three-star recruit is enrolling early along with defensive end Nelson Mbanasor, another three star recruit. Both of these guys could turn some heads early this spring.
Three defensive backs will also be joining the team. Jaylon Lane, Octavious Morgan and Vaughnte Dorsey are all three-star recruits who will be looking to help Tech's 128th-ranked defense improve. With players like Keenon Ward, D.J. Polite-Bray and Justis Nelson heading out the door, Tech is looking for some new talent to step up in 2017.
With all these freshman enrolling early, it means spring football is right around the corner. I'm looking forward to seeing how all these new faces will fit in with this program. Hopefully we'll see a few of these guys suiting up for Texas Tech in Week 1 vs. Eastern Washington.