Wreck'Em Red
Fansided

Texas Tech Football Recruiting: Going After High-Profile Defensive Linemen

By Matthew Conner

Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks quarterback Zach Conquer (2) is pressured by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end Kolin Hill (13) and defensive end Ondre Pipkins (9) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Lubbock, TX, USA; Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks quarterback Zach Conquer (2) is pressured by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive end Kolin Hill (13) and defensive end Ondre Pipkins (9) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The 2018 recruiting cycle is picking up for the Texas Tech football team and the Red Raiders are pursuing some big-time recruits along the defensive line.

In what has become a pursuit as frustrating as Captain Ahab’s ill-fated obsession with the great white whale in “Moby Dick”, the Texas Tech football program is perpetually trying to land a big fish to man its the defensive line.

This position group has been a weakness for much of the “Air Raid” era.  Plus, the Kingsbury staff has seemingly changed its recruiting strategy towards defensive linemen on a yearly basis.

In 2014, Tech signed four JUCO defensive line prospects and no high school recruits as it tried to take a short cut in rebuilding the defense.  The next year, the staff added a mere two high school prospects to the defensive front.

Then, 2016 saw a reversal in tactics when the Red Raiders tried a strength in numbers approach.  That year Tech signed seven defensive linemen, six of which were high school recruits.

Of course, 2017’s defensive line class represented another about face in the plan.  High school prospect Nelson Mbanasor was the lone defensive line recruit to join the program.

Now it appears that the program is once again changing direction under new defensive line coach Terrance Jamison.  Already in 2017, Jamison has targeted a number of high-profile defensive line recruits but landing them will be difficult.

Two prospects that have legitimate interest in the Red Raiders are Tyler Lacy and Chase Davis from Sachse, TX.  The teammates have a connection with the Red Raiders as two of their teammates from last season, linebacker Riko Jeffers and receiver Nate Shelton, signed with Tech this year.

Lacy is a 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end with offers Houston, SMU and Tech.  He is also drawing interest from TCU and Texas.

His frame suggests that he could easily carry another 30 pounds in college making him a dream come true for a Texas Tech defensive line that is often undersized.  Lacy is not terribly quick but his raw power and long arms could make him an elite run-stopper in the Big 12.

His teammate, Davis appears to be more of a project but might have a high ceiling.  Most of Davis’ career has been spent at tight end but Texas Tech is recruiting him to play defensive end.

A fantastic athlete, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Davis has explosive quickness.  He could use the footwork and athleticism he has developed as a tight end to become an effective edge pass rusher.

One other prospect from Sachse, 2019 defensive end Hunter Spears has also received an offer from Texas Tech.  Considered one of the best defensive prospects in Texas, the Red Raider legacy has also picked up an offer from Alabama so the competition for his services will be fierce.


Another big-time prospect on the Texas Tech football staff’s radar is 4-star defensive tackle Calvin Avery .  The Dallas, TX (Bishop Dune H.S.) prospect is considered a strong lean towards Oklahoma.  He offers from the Red Raiders and the Sonners as well as from Colorado, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Norte Dame, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas and Southern California.

Avery is the kind of player Texas Tech desperately needs to land to turn around the defensive line’s fortunes.  However, given the competition for him, the Red Raiders seem like long-shots against the top programs in the nation.

More from Wreck'Em Red

Another highly heralded target for Kingsbury and staff is Kissimmee, FL defensive tackle Jordan Redmond .  Terrance Jamison arrived at Texas Tech after spending the last two seasons coaching at Florida Atlantic which explains how Redmond landed on his radar.

The 6-foot-tall, 292-pound three-star prospect has offers from schools across the nation.  In addition to Tech, he has offers from Kentucky, Minnesota, N.C. State, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.  Redmond has also drawn interest from Clemson, Miami and North Carolina.

Closer to home, Houston defensive tackle Kondre Coburn  is receiving love from the Red Raiders.  The 6-foot-1 and 329-pound four-star prospect is a dominant force in the middle.


He would be a dream addition to the Texas Tech defense.  However, competiton for his services is fierce.  He has offers from TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon and UCLA.

Next: Takeaways From Football Scrimmage In Midland

In the past, Texas Tech has struck out on most of the nationally-ranked recruits it has targeted.  However, that does not appear to be stopping the coaching staff from swinging for the fences in an effort to finally fix the weakest area of the defense.  Only time will tell if this year will be different.

Home/Texas Tech Football