Texas Tech football: 5 2019 commits new coach must hang on to

TE Simon Gonzalez

There are not many players like Simon Gonzalez in the high school ranks these days.  The 6-foot-3, 220-pound three-star tight end from Magnolia, TX  may remind some of former Red Raider Jace Amaro because of his size and ability to do everything a traditional tight end would while also being athletic enough to be a primary weapon in the passing game.

This year, Tech struggled to find a player big enough to play the “H-Back” role.  Ideally, every year the “Air Raid” would have a big inside receiver capable of catching passes from the slot and creating mismatches down field while also serving as a capable blocker in the run game.

Kingsbury tried to turn Donta Thompson into that type of player but he is a converted high school wide receiver who has never been able to be as dominant physically as he needs to be to play that role.  Gonzalez has the frame to add enough weight to be a do-it-all tight end in college which Tech has not had since Amaro left  for the NFL in 2012.

This year, Gonzalez is averaging 16.1 yards per reception and has hauled in five touchdowns.  He caught six passes for 127 yards in a 45-28 playoff loss to end his season and now he is ready to make an impact at the next level.

Gonzalez is the No. 155 player in Texas and the No. 48 tight end in the nation.  He holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Virginia Tech, North Texas, Utah State and Southern Miss.

We have not seen a recruit with the size and speed combination of Gonzalez nor have we had a player that can do what he is projected to do on the field since the Tommy Tuberville era.  Gonzalez should be a fit in any type of system and could bring a new element to Texas Tech which makes it imperative that the Red Raiders hang on to him.