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Texas Tech football adds 3-star RB as preferred walk on

By Matthew Conner

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 28: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot Raider Red performs during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 49-27. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 28: The Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot Raider Red performs during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Texas Tech 49-27. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Tech football program has picked up a commitment from 3-star running back Chux Nwabuko, who will be a preferred walk on.

For decades, the Texas Tech football program has found a way to make stars out of players many thought to be too small for major college football.  Players like Tyrone Thurman, Neimiah Glover, Wes Welker, Eric Morris and Jakeem Grant have all been key contributors for the Red Raiders despite their diminutive statures.

Now, another undersized offensive weapon is looking to make a name for himself at Texas Tech.  Tuesday, 5-foot-6, 150-pound all-purpose running back Chux Nwabuko announced his intention to join the Red Raider program as a preferred walk on in 2019.

Normally, a preferred walk on would not generate much buzz but Nwabuko is not the typical walk on candidate.  One of the most productive players in the state over the past two years, the Hutto, TX native amassed 2,286 total yards and 32 touchdowns in the pas two seasons.

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Utilizing elite speed that is rumored to be in the 4.4 to 4.3 range to offset his lack of size. Nwabuko has been one of the more productive running backs in class 5-A.  As a junior, he led his team with 1,773 total yards (975 rushing) and 20 touchdowns.

But thus far, teams have stayed away because of his lack of size.  No major college program has offered him a scholarship with FCS member Howard being his only official offer.

Therefore, he is going to walk on at Texas Tech, where small players have been known to thrive in the “Air Raid” offense.  But can a player of such small size make it in the Big 12?

Many are comparing Nwabuko to former Red Raider inside receiver Jakeem Grant, who is the program’s all-time receiving leader despite being just 5-foot-6, perhaps a better comparison would be former Kansas State star Darren Sproles.

Coming out of high school at just 5-foot-7, 165-pounds in 2001, Sproles ran for 5,588 total yards and 47 total touchdowns for the Wildcats.  He has gone on to a successful 13-year NFL career with San Diego, New Orleans and Philadelphia proving that there is a place for small but electric running backs at the highest levels of the game.

Another possible comparison would be current Texas Tech freshman running back Ta’Zhawn Henry.  At 5-foot-7, 170-pounds, the Houston native leads Texas Tech in rushing yards and touchdowns this year.

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But Chux Nwabuko is even smaller in size than Henry meaning that he will have to prove he can stand up to the rigors of live in the Big 12.  It remains to be seen if he will be able to carve a niche for himself in the Texas Tech football program but he will at least be granted an opportunity.

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