USC Offers 2019 Texas Tech QB Commit Maverick McIvor

One of the blue-blood programs in the nation, USC, has extended a scholarship offer to 2019 Texas Tech QB commit Maverick McIvor leading many to wonder if McIvor is still solid with the Red Raiders.

Throughout most of the spring and half of the summer, Texas Tech fans grew increasingly concerned over the lack of a QB in the 2019 recruiting class. But on June, 18th, three-star San Angelo, Texas QB Maverick McIvor verbally committed to the Red Raiders calming that angst.

But Monday, the USC Trojans, arguably the most storied program in college football history, reignited the worry of some Red Raider fans by extending an offer to McIvor. This is his17th offer as he also holds offers from programs such as Arizona State, Boise State, Iowa, North Carolina, Ole Miss and Washington State.

Prior to committing to Texas Tech, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect took an official visit to North Carolina, which was thought to be Tech’s primary competition for his services. But now, it is fair to wonder whether the lure of playing for a program with 11 national titles and 12 Pro Football Hall of Famers to its name is going to cause McIvor to re-weigh his options.

USC is certainly an attractive option if for no other reason than the Trojans are the most glamorous program in the nation with their home being beneath the bright lights of Los Angeles. Plus, USC has had more players drafted into the NFL than any other program.

But there is more for McIvor to consider. USC appears to be loaded at the QB position for the foreseeable future. This year, USC signed 5-star QB JT Daniels and the talented true freshman is expected to win the starting QB job in this year’s camp.

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What’s more, the Trojans already have another 5-star recruit in the mix for the future in 2020 dual-threat QB Bryce Young. There appears to be a clear line of succession from Daniel to Young which would cover the entirety of McIvor’s collegiate career.

But at Texas Tech, the QB situation is murky at best and there is no clear-cut option that would make McIvor think that he would not be able to see the field relatively early. Even if true freshman QB Alan Bowman is able to eventually claim the job as many think, McIvor could compete for a back-up job by his redshirt freshman season and be in line to be the starter in 2021.

Also, consider that USC already has another QB recruit, 3-star pro-style passer Kedon Slovis, in the 2019 class meaning the McIvor may not even be the Trojans’ top QB option in his own recruiting class.

Then there is the geographic consideration. While the southern California area is famous for its beaches, pleasant climate and beautiful people, it is a long way from San Angelo, Texas. College football players are notorious for being more likely to stay closer to home than recruits in other sports.

McIvor has said that one of his reasons for committing to Texas Tech was that the campus is only 180 miles from his home town allowing his family to easily get to all of his home games. And being only three hours from Lubbock has given McIvor plenty of opportunities to familiarize himself with everything Texas Tech has to offer and he has built a strong relationship with the Red Raider coaching staff.

Ultimately, this offer from USC should not concern Texas Tech fans but excite them. It is a sign that Tech’s 2019 QB commit is a legitimate star recruit.

Many Tech fans were less than thrilled when McIvor committed because it was widely known that he wasn’t Kingsbury’s first choice in the 2019 class. Waco, TX QB Jacob Zeno was the initial apple of Kingsbury’s eye but after months of flirtation between Zeno and Texas Tech, he ultimately committed to Baylor, at which time Tech ramped up its relationship with McIvor.

But that does not mean McIvor is an afterthought. In fact, some analysts believe he will eventually be rated as a 4-star prospect after he gets more action at QB during his senior season. Last year was McIvor’s first as a starting QB and he was phenomenal.

After playing receiver as a sophomore, McIvor put up 3,372 yards and a school record 43 touchdown passes during his junior season. Additionally, he led his team with 864 yards rushing and eight TDs on the ground. Thus the ceiling for McIvor appears to be as high as that of any QB recruit of the Kingsbury era.

Texas Tech should still be in great shape to land Maverick McIvor and fans need not worry about USC’s offer right now. McIvor has not taken a visit to Southern Cal and at this time he has not publicly announced any plans to do so.

The timing of this offer, coming as the high school football season is already under way, also helps Texas Tech. McIvor’s focus is likely to be on the upcoming prep season and opportunities for him to get to USC for a visit before the December signing period will be limited.

Unless McIvor decides to go to Los Angles for a visit this fall, Texas Tech fans have nothing to worry about. Rather, we should appreciate the fact that a program that annually has their pick of QB’s from around the nation, thinks highly enough of Texas Tech’s commit to offer him a scholarship.

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