Texas Tech Football: Potential 2016 QB Options

Nov 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the Texas Tech Red Raiders helmet before the game between the Baylor Bears and the Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick O’Brien, San Juan Capistrano, CA (3-star Pro-style quarterback):

The latest prospect to receive an official scholarship offer from the Red Raiders is Patrick O’Brien.  The California prospect is a huge young man at 6’3″ and 230-pounds.  His stature might remind Tech fans of Taylor Potts.

The 2016 prospect has received interest from such schools as Notre Dame, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona St., Miami (Fl.), UCLA, and USC.  However, he only holds offers from Tech, Colorado, and Colorado St. at this point, making it seem that many schools may be slow-playing the pocket passer as a back-up plan.  He was scheduled to visit Nebraska in the upcoming weeks, but the recent commitment of Terry Wilson to Nebraska may push O’Brien’s recruitment in another direction.

With his size, O’Brien is not the type of dual-threat quarterback that the Tech staff seems to have become infatuated with, but he is mobile in the pocket and keeps plays alive, while always looking to throw downfield.  In that respect, his style of play is similar to another Patrick…Mahomes.

Last season, O’Brien threw for 2,093-yards and 12 touchdowns.  He also ran for 640-yards and 13 touchdowns.  But don’t be fooled by his rushing numbers.  This player is a pro-style quarterback similar to almost every Tech quarterback of the Air Raid era.

Tech is not known for being able to pull quarterbacks out of The Golden State so it will be interesting to see if Tech can make headway with this prospect.