Texas Tech 2012 Recruiting

2011 Texas Tech Red Raiders ... Head Coach: Tommy Tuberville

Texas Tech Red Raiders

2011 Record: 5-7

Sep. 3 Texas State W 50-10
Sep. 10 OPEN DATE
Sep. 17 at New Mexico W 59=13
Sep. 24 Nevada W 35-34
Oct. 1 at Kansas W 45-34
Oct. 8 Texas A&M L 45-40
Oct. 15 Kansas State L 41-34
Oct. 22 at Oklahoma W 41-38
Oct. 29 Iowa State L 41-7
Nov. 5 at Texas L 52-20
Nov. 12 Oklahoma St L 66-6
Nov. 19 at Missouri L 31-27
Nov. 26 at Baylor L 66-42

2010 CFN Prediction: 9-3
2010 Record: 8-5

Sept. 5 SMU W 35-27
Sept. 11 at New Mexico W 52-17
Sept. 18 Texas L 24-14
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2 at Iowa State L 52-38
Oct. 9 Baylor (in Dallas) W 45-38
Oct. 16 Oklahoma St L 34-17
Oct. 23 at Colorado W 27-24
Oct. 30 at Texas A&M L 45-27
Nov. 6 Missouri W 24-17
Nov. 13 at Oklahoma L 45-7
Nov. 20 Weber State W 64-21
Nov. 27 Houston W 35-20
TicketCity Bowl
Jan. 1 Northwestern W 45-38
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The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class

Top 5 Texas Tech Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. OG Michael Starts
6-4, 275, Scout.com 5th ranked, four-star guard. An amazing physical specimen in addition to being a player with feet and explosion good enough to play on the offensive or defensive line in college. He plays offensive tackle, but could easily slide in to play guard. He pulls well and is able to get down field to block on the second level. He is good in pass protection and super strong when making first contact. He has a wide base and will only be better as he adds weight with maturity.

2. WR Javon Bell
6-0, 185, Scout.com four-star JUCO transfer. A true deep threat, Bell covers a lot of ground quickly off the line of scrimmage. He's not just a straight line runner though, as he has good quickness and change of direction. Must be jammed at the line of scrimmage or he's going to get open. Can work on getting bigger and stronger, and making the catches he should. Capable of making the tough catch and then dropping an easy one. Consistency is key

3. LB Will Smith
6-3, 220, Scout.com four-star JUCO transfer.

4. WR Reginald Davis
6-1, 185, Scout.com 24th ranked, four-star receiver. Davis does not play against high level competition in high school, but he dominates against that level, which is what you are looking for in a player that is rated as highly as he is. He is a terrific athlete who could also end up playing in the defensive backfield if things do not work out for him on offense. Speed is the name of his game.

5. WR Dominique Wheler
6-1, 180, Scout.com 34th ranked, four-star receiver. No matter where he lines up Wheeler makes big plays. He is a wiry, super athletic player. As a wildcat quarterback he shows that he can make people miss in the open field and make plays. As a receiver he has a tremendous vertical leap and concentration. He makes touch catches. Put it all together and you get the sense he will be a star at receiver in college.

The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... Instant help for the defense. Will Texas Tech be patient enough to let last year’s terrific recruiting class mature? Tommy Tuberville is on the hot seat after the 2011 collapse, but he came up with a whopper of a recruiting season and is doing another good job this year. However, he needs the defense to improve in a big hurry, and that means the 2009 and 2010 classes of good defenders have to start producing, and this year’s group of prospects must fill in the gaps.

Team Concerns For 2012: Offensive consistency. Defense, schmefense. No one in the Big 12 outside of Texas, and occasionally Oklahoma, can stop anyone, and Texas Tech will always need to win by bringing more firepower to the field. The pieces are there, but everyone has to be better. The O line could use a little retooling, and more pop would be nice from the receivers, but with ten starters back on defense it’s time to start winning.

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season: Are the Red Raiders going to be able to overcome the nightmarish end to the 2011 season? QB Seth Doege is a veteran who struggled to keep the chains moving, but he’s a good talent who could be far better if the receivers can help him out a bit more. All the top targets return except for Adam James – that Adam James – with Eric Ward looking like a star in the making. RB DeAndre Washington showed flashes, and now he’ll get more chances behind a nice-looking line that gets three starters back. The defense was the biggest problem, finishing 114th in the nation in 117th in scoring. Experience won’t be an issue with ten starters returning – only losing end Scott Smith – but the pass rush has to be better and the linebackers have to be better factors.

The 2011 Class Was Heavy On … Running backs. This class might be the one that allows Tommy Tuberville to balance out the attack a bit more, but the running backs have to be as good as advertised. This is a huge, HUGE class with plenty of options for just about every position. The defensive line got a major influx of talent with JUCO transfers Dennell Wesley and Leon Mackey brought in to play aright away, and linebacker Branden Jackson was a big-time Signing Day pickup. Most importantly, though, this might be the best class of running backs in decades with Kenny Williams, Bradley Marquez, Deandre Washington and Ronnie Daniels all more than just pass catchers; they can run the rock.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 41. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive line. Tommy Tuberville's first class made the most noise keeping QB Scotty Young, but he loaded up the defense with eight linemen including 288-pound JUCO transfer Donald Langley at one tackle spot and fellow JUCOers Lawrence Rumph and Scott Smith on the ends. Overshadowed but still important were key offensive tackles Aleon Calhoun and Beau Carpenter, two big bodies who fit the system. Tuberville also beefed up the secondary with eight recruits including safety Russell Polk and corner Tre'Vante Porter.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 30. That Class Was Heavy On ... defensive backs. Tech can’t beat Texas or Oklahoma without being able to slow down the pass, and it made sure the defense got plenty of attention to try to upgrade the secondary. D.J. Johnson and Yahshua Williams are very big corners who’ll get time to develop. Adding more size are safeties Will Ford and Terrence Bullitt, while Daniel Cobb will be in the starting mix in a few years.
Nov. 26 Baylor 66 … Texas Tech 42
CFN Analysis: COMING

(AP) ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nick Florence threw two long touchdown passes after Robert Griffin was knocked out of the game and No. 21 Baylor extended its winning streak to four games with a 66-42 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday night.

The Bears (8-3, 5-3 Big 12) had to win it without Griffin, whose Heisman Trophy chances were dealt a setback because of an apparent concussion.

Still, Baylor set a school mark for most points in a conference game -- Big 12 or the Southwest Conference for decades before that -- and was already ahead to stay when Griffin scored on a 3-yard keeper just before halftime. That score came after he was on the sideline for one play after taking an elbow to the helmet while sliding at the end of a run.

Terrance Ganaway rushed 42 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns, giving him a school-record 14 for the Bears, who reached eight wins for the first time since 1991.

Texas Tech (5-7, 2-7) finished with its first losing record since 1992. The Red Raiders lost their last five games after a 41-38 upset last month at Oklahoma, which Baylor beat at home last week.

Griffin had scrambled from one side of the field to the other and slid inside the 5 with a first down when defensive back Cornelius Douglas came in hard with an elbow that knocked Griffin's head back to the turf. The quarterback remained flat on his back for a couple of moments before coming out of the game for a play. He then returned for his second touchdown run to make it 31-21.

Florence, the junior who hadn't thrown a pass all season and was possibly going to be redshirted, came in after halftime and completed 9 of 12 passes for 151 yards. He threw a 46-yard TD to Kendall Wright and a 40-yarder to Terrance Williams before Joe Williams returned an interception 90 yards to push Baylor ahead 52-28.

Griffin stood on the sideline holding a towel in his hand but didn't have his helmet when the second half started. Briles said he thought Griffin had a slight concussion but should be ready for the regular season finale next week at home against Texas.

When the game was over, Briles hugged a smiling Griffin and kissed him on the cheek.

The two teams combined for 108 points and 1,061 total yards at Cowboys Stadium, where Baylor outgained the Red Raiders 617 to 444. The Bears had 294 before halftime with Griffin.

Griffin, the national leader in total offense (412 yards per game), completed 7 of 11 passes for 106 yards with a touchdown. He ran 14 times for 62 yards.

Griffin had a school-record 551 total yards against Oklahoma, including the game-winning TD pass with 8 seconds left in a 45-38 victory for the Bears' first win in 21 chances against the Sooners.

Texas Tech had won all previous 15 games against the Bears as Big 12 members.

Seth Doege completed 41 of 55 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Eric Ward set a Tech single-game record with 16 catches for 151 yards.

Baylor scored on its first five drives, including Griffin's 33-yard TD pass on fourth down to Wright, who caught the ball in the middle of the field at the 25 and spun away from a defender to sprint to the end zone for a 10-0 lead.

Griffin had a 4-yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter to put the Bears up 17-7.

The Red Raiders then went 74 yards on 10 completions by Doege. Six were to Ward, the last for a 2-yard TD.

A couple of plays after Baylor got the ball back, officials were blowing the whistle for a false start when safety Terrance Bullitt came from Griffin's blindside and undercut his legs, knocking the quarterback to the ground. That drew a personal foul penalty, and the drive eventually ended with a 4-yard TD by Ganaway.

Tech then used a little trickery to score quickly. Backup quarterback Jacob Karam, wearing a No. 85 jersey instead of his normal No. 3, lined up as a receiver and went in motion. He took a pitch from Doege and then threw a 43-yard TD to Darrin Moore, who later caught a 1-yard TD from Doege.

The Red Raiders then recovered an onside kick. But they failed to get a first down and punted.

That led the wild 12-play drive on which Griffin got hurt. Both teams called a timeout before a fourth-and-7 play, but Tech was called for delay of game -- and coach Tommy Tuberville was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when he protested, giving Baylor a first down without having to snap the ball.

Nov. 19 at Missouri 31 … Texas Tech 27
CFN Analysis: Texas Tech lost, but the team looked like Texas Tech again. After a stunningly rough time over the last three games, the offense worked with Seth Doege in control and command again throwing for 315 yards. … Aaron Crawford added 70 yards on the ground, but it was the passing game that made it interesting with Doege spreading the ball around to 11 different receivers. … The run defense continues to be a disaster. The linebackers were completely lost whenever James Franklin took off. .. Punter Ryan Erxleben was phenomenal, averaging 51.4 yards per kick and putting three inside the 20. … On a four game losing streak, and 2-6 in the Big 12, it’ll take a win over Baylor in Dallas to go bowling. The offense has to do more to keep up in a shootout. 

Nov. 12 Oklahoma State 66 … at Texas Tech 6
CFN Analysis: There wasn’t any chance. The defense couldn’t get any pressure on Brandon Weeden and the defensive line was beaten up from the start. This was over after two drives. … For a third straight game, the offense couldn’t get the receivers going on the move. The yards after the catch were non-existent, and Seth Doege didn’t push the ball down the field at all, finishing with 169 yards on 25-of-43 passing. … The defense completely whiffed from the start and couldn’t get off the field. OSU did whatever it wanted. … This was the final home game. It’s going to take a win at Missouri on in a neutral-site date against Baylor to go bowling.

Nov. 5 at Texas 52 … Texas Tech 20
CFN Analysis: Things were working fine early on, with Seth Doege looking far sharper than he was against Iowa State, but the defense got gashed, the running game went nowhere, and the offense couldn’t do enough to keep up. Doege completed 40-of-55 passes for 381 yards and two scores, but the Texas running game ripped off 439 yards and never let the game get close after the first quarter. The defense has now allowed 34 points or more in each of its last seven games, and the run defense is about to challenge Kansas for being the Big 12’s worst. With Oklahoma State and Missouri up next, that’s not a good thing, and now a bowl game appears to be a dream. 

Oct. 29 Iowa State 41 … at Texas Tech 7
CFN Analysis: What the heck was that? There are letdown games, and there’s this disaster with Seth Doege looking as bad against Iowa State as he looked good against Oklahoma. The defense couldn’t get off the field, the offense could keep the chains moving with the passing game misfiring all over the place, and all the momentum from last week now gone, making the victory looking like a fluke. Chalk this up to a one week layoff, and if Doege gets his groove back against Texas, all will be fine. However, with road games at Texas, Missouri, and a neutral site game against Baylor, and a home game against Oklahoma State, a bowl game isn’t a sure thing. If the run defense plays like this over the final month, 5-7 is a real possibility. 

Oct. 22 Texas Tech 41, at Oklahoma 38
CFN Analysis: Texas Tech had been building to this big win over the last few weeks. It came achingly close to beating Kansas State and Texas A&M, and then the offense put it all together for a brilliant first half to get up big. Seth Doege was on target from the start, and he kept firing darts on his way to a 441-yard, four touchdown, no pick game. But while Doege and the passing game starred, the running game was effective, too, despite averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. With Eric Stephens done for the year, DeAndre Washington picked up the slack running for 84 yards, while Aaron Crawford chipped in with a tough 62 yards. That the D struggled in OU’s mad comeback doesn’t matter; Tech had a big enough cushion to withstand the blows. With Iowa State up next, the team can’t lose its focus with a huge final month ahead. Now the spotlight is on; win out, and Tech will win at least a share of the Big 12 title.  

Oct. 15 Kansas State 41 … at Texas Tech 34
CFN Analysis: Seth Doege didn’t make many mistakes all season long, but his three interceptions – after coming into the game fifth in the nation in turnover margin - proved to be a problem and a big breakdown in kick coverage – after coming into the game ninth in kickoff returns - ruined a big offensive day. The Red Raiders outgained the Wildcats 580 yards to 339, and Doege completed 43 passes for KSU’s 12, but the defense couldn’t come up with the big third down stops it needed in the second half and the offense couldn’t get into the end zone with two field goals and no touchdowns. If this wasn’t tough enough, the Red Raiders have to go to Oklahoma next. However, if the turnovers stop and Doege doesn’t throw a slew of picks, Tech will have a shot. Getting more pressure into the backfield is also a must. 

Oct. 8 Texas A&M 45 … at Texas Tech 40
CFN Analysis: Texas Tech wouldn’t give up. Seth Doege threw it 66 times, and while he didn’t get red hot until late, he kept the pressure on and he managed to get the offense within an onside kick of pulling off the comeback, but he and the offense came up short. Tech has lived off of winning the turnover battle, and while it didn’t give the ball away, it didn’t come up with any takeaways and it suffered a turnover-like breakdown on special teams getting a field goal blocked for a score. The Red Raiders are good, but they’re not talented enough to beat the better teams without forcing a slew of mistakes. 

Oct. 1 Texas Tech 45 … at Kansas 34
CFN Analysis: This was Texas Tech at its best and worst. After getting down 20-0 with a defense that can’t stop the run, the passing game kicked it in and then came the breathtaking 24-point run to take control. Seth Doege settled down and spread the ball around to 11 different receivers, while Eric Stephens ran for 124 yards and two scores on a workmanlike 26 carries. The defense will be a problem all season long, and wasn’t even close at times when the Jayhawks wanted to pound away, but the D came up with four takeaways to turn the tide. With Texas A&M’s running game up next, the Red Raider passing game has to control the clock from the start, or else the offense needs to be ready for another track meet.  

Sept. 24 at Texas Tech 35 … Nevada 34
CFN Analysis: Just when it seemed like everything was clicking, with a nearly perfect game against New Mexico, it took a furious rally to get by a struggling Nevada. On the plus side, Seth Doege showed he could come through in the clutch and proved he could be the type of leader who can bring the team back from the brink. He only threw for 222 yards, though, and while Eric Stephens ran well and the passing game was fine, this was still too close for comfort. D.J. Johnson came up with 13 tackles, 11 solo, but the entire defense has to be far better against the run over the next few weeks with Kansas and Texas A&M to kick off Big 12 play.  

Sept. 17 Texas Tech 59 ... at New Mexico 13
CFN Analysis: It’s impressive that a Texas Tech offense could do something through the air that it never did under Mike Leach. Seth Doege got time to throw, and he destroyed the New Mexico defense completing 40-of-44 passes for 401 yards and five scores, with Darrin Moore coming up with big plays every time he got the ball his way. The running game wasn’t ignored with 178 yards and two scores, but it was the phenomenal day from Doege that made the game a blowout. Everything worked against the hapless New Mexico defense, and the production should continue against Nevada and Kansas before the showdown against Texas A&M. That’s a home game, though, and if Tech can pull that off, and if the team can keep playing like this, 6-0 is likely before going to Oklahoma. 

Sept. 3 at Texas Tech 50 … Texas State 10
CFN Analysis: Texas Tech is going to have a whole bunch of fun over the first half four games before dealing with Texas A&M if it can be sharper out of the gate. Seth Doege was excellent, completing 23-of-33 passes for 326 yards and three scores, and Eric Stephens provided the balance that Tommy Tuberville has been looking for with 118 yards and two scores, but the big story was Darrin Moore, who caught 12 passes for 221 yards and a score as the main target in the attack. Texas State ran the ball well, gaining 256 yards, but it also fumbled the ball four times and couldn’t do anything through the air against the Red Raider secondary. The Tech pass rush was strong, and the defense was a rock after the first quarter, but as long as the offense is humming, and if it can wake up faster after scoring just nine points in the first half, there shouldn’t be any problems over the first month. 

The 2011 Recruiting Class Is Heavy On … Running backs. This class might be the one that allows Tommy Tuberville to balance out the attack a bit more, but the running backs have to be as good as advertised. This is a huge, HUGE class with plenty of options for just about every position. The defensive line got a major influx of talent with JUCO transfers Dennell Wesley and Leon Mackey brought in to play aright away, and linebacker Branden Jackson was a big-time Signing Day pickup. Most importantly, though, this might be the best class of running backs in decades with Kenny Williams, Bradley Marquez, Deandre Washington and Ronnie Daniels all more than just pass catchers; they can run the rock.

Five Texas Tech Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. S Marcus Roberson
6-0, 180, Scout.com’s 4th ranked safety. Roberson can be considered a big corner or a thin safety depending on where he ends up playing. He is outstanding in coverage, although he gets a little too close with his hands on jerseys at times. He is physical with the receivers and can turn and run with them well. Should become more of a factor against the run as he gains size and strength in the weight room, but with his height and frame, his size overall is a plus

2. C Tony Morales
6-4, 300, Scout.com’s 3rd ranked center. Morales fires off of the ball and initiates contact on the other side of the line with great consistency. He plays with a low pad level which allows him to win way more battles than he loses. He has a nice wide frame and moves his feet well, which allows him to make blocks on the second level. A road-grader.

3. RB Kenny Williams
5-10, 206, Scout.com’s 12th ranked running back. Big running back, he is very strong between the tackles as he can break tackles and has good balance to keep on going. Does a great job of churning his legs to work for extra yards. He can change direction and cut to a different direction but he is best going straight at the defense. Only thing lacking is true breakaway speed and he is not far off from that.

4. RB Bradley Marquez
5-11, 185, Scout.com’s 16th ranked running back. Marquez is a complete, all-around back who can break big plays when he runs the ball, but he can also torch the defense by splitting out wide as a slot receiver. That versatility will make him a valuable commodity in college as he will likely be able to play a role at both positions as well as in the return game. He runs with good authority and shows tremendous vision on the cut-back.

5. DE Branden Jackson
6-4, 225, Scout.com’s 7th ranked defensive end. Jackson is a very instinctive athlete who played out of position. At the next level he could be a dangerous force as an outside linebacker or speed rusher off the edge. Jackson is outstanding in pursuit. He can cover in the flats or hook/curl zone. Solid against the run and will get after the quarterback. He is still raw, but there is plenty to work with.

2011 Entire Recruiting Class
Jace Amaro TE 6-5 237 Fr. San Antonio, Texas/MacArthur
Michael Brewer QB 6-1 175 Fr. Austin, Texas/Lake Travis
LeRaven Clark OL 6-6 275 Fr. Rockdale, Texas/Rockdale
Justin Cooper LB 6-1 205 Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./University
Ronnie Daniels ATH 6-1 195 Fr. Alburquerque, N.M./LaCueva
Blake Dees LB 6-1 234 Fr. Spanish Fort, Ala./Spanish Fort
Derek Edwards WR 6-1 163 Fr. Brenham, Texas/Brenham
Sam Eguavoen LB 6-2 220 Fr. Garland, Texas/Lakeview
Kindred Evans DE 6-6 215 Fr. Grand Prarie, Texas/Grand Prarie
JJ Gaines DB 5-11 175 Fr. Irving, Texas/Nimitz
Jakeen Grant WR 5-8 157 Fr. Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite Horn
Desimon Green LB 6-5 230 Fr. Clairton, Pa./Clairton
Branden Jackson LB 6-4 220 Fr. McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport
Marcus Kennard WR 6-4 185 Jr. Lawton, Okla./Butler JC
Leon Mackey DT 6-5 260 Jr. Raymond, Miss./Hinds JC
Bradley Marquez RB/WR 5-11 173 Fr. Odessa, Texas/Odessa
Alfredo Morales OL 6-3 287 Fr. Arlington, Texas/Sam Houston
Tony Morales OL 6-3 300 Fr. Arlington, Texas/Sam Houston
Donte Phillips DL 6-2 255 Fr. Mewuon, Wisc./Homestead
Jeremy Reynolds CB 5-9 163 Fr. Greensboro, N.C./Dudley
LaDarrin Robertson ATH 6-3 215 Fr. Longview, Texas/Longview
Cooper Washington DE 6-4 225 Fr. Muleshoe, Texas/Muleshoe
DeAndre Washington RB 5-9 183 Fr. Missouri City, Texas/Marshall
Dennell Wesley DL 6-2 310 Jr. St. Augustine, Fla./Butler CC
Kenny Williams RB 5-10 206 Fr. Pflugerville, Texas/Hendrickson
Matt Wilson OL 6-7 270 Fr. Coldspring, Texas/Oakhurst
Otis Wright ATH 6-0 185 Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard