Texas Tech football picks up commitment from 3-star WR J.J. Sparkman

Saturday, the Texas Tech football program received a commitment from J.J. Sparkman, a 3-star wide receiver.

The Texas Tech football program has become known for producing some of the top receivers in the nation on an annual basis. Apparently, that reputation remains rather intriguing to prospects in the class of 2020 despite the fact that a new head coach has taken over the reigns in Lubbock.

Having already landed the pledge of 4-star WR Ja’Lynn Polk from Lufkin on Saturday evening, Tech head coach Matt Wells has also added 3-star WR J.J. Sparkman of Longview to his 2020 class. Sparkman took to Twitter late Saturday night to announce his decision.

Rated the No. 138 receiver in the nation and the No. 113 player in Texas by 247Sports, he picked the Red Raiders over offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, North Texas, Southern Mississippi and others.

https://twitter.com/JJ_spark12/status/1142607679015280640

Last fall, he caught 28 passes for 702 yards and 10 touchdowns. For his career, he’s had 54 receptions for 1,117 yards and 12 scores. He’s averaged an impressive 20.6 yards per reception thus far in his career.

A 6-foot-3, 205-pound two-sport star who has also turned some heads on the hardwood, Sparkman looks to have the athleticism and size to be a big-play receiver capable of making plays on jump balls like T.J. Vasher and Antoine Wesley did so well in 2018. According to his 247Sports profile, his vertical jump was measured at 32.5 inches at a regional qualifying event for The Opening scouting combine back in March.

Though the Red Raiders’ recruiting has been less than stellar in recent seasons, Tech has continued to load up on talented outside receivers. Earlier this year, Tech signed 6-foot-4, 3-star prospect Trey Cleveland and two-star prospect, Cameron Cantrell, the younger brother of former Red Raider Dylan Cantrell.

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And in 2018, the Red Raiders added 4-star wide out Erik Ezukanma, who is expected to compete for a starting spot this fall. Additionally, Tech added rangy 6-foot-5 Myllar Royals from Abilene in that class. Both Ezukanma and Royals redshirted last season.

This year, the program will loose senior outside receiver Seth Collins, who will be competing with Ezukanma for playing time. And there remains the possibility that 2018’s third-leading receiver, T.J. Vasher, could have a strong enough season to warrant leaving school early for the NFL Draft.

After all, that scenario has unexpectedly come to fruition in each of the last two years. In 2017, Keke Coutee made the jump to the draft after a 1,429-yard season, second best in program history. And this offseason, Antoine Wesley chose to forego his senior senior after putting up 1,410 yards, the third-best season in program history.

It seems unlikely that any Red Raider will put up those type of numbers this year given that the offense will be more balanced under offensive coordinator David Yost. But Vasher is already on the radar of NFL scouts and should he refine his game enough to become a true All-Big 12 caliber performer, he may have an opportunity to begin his professional career a year ahead of schedule.

Next. Football position groups that will be better in 2019. dark

That’s why it’s important for Tech to continue to add talented receivers in each recruiting class. With Polk and Sparkman already in the mix for 2020, it looks like the program is set to continue its tradition of being Wide Receiver U.

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