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Texas Tech football: Top TE target spurns Red Raiders for Auburn

By Matthew Conner

TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 14: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders watches from the sidelines during the second half of the NCAAF game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Tech football program has lost out on massive McKinney, Texas tight end Brandon Frazier who has committed to Auburn.

Just a few days prior to the traditional national signing day, the Texas Tech football program is still in the market for another impact tight end.  That’s because this week, their top target at that position, Brandon Frazier, committed to the Auburn Tigers over Tech and Arkansas.

The 4-star prospect from McKinney, Texas visited Lubbock in December and was highly-coveted by the Red Raiders as they look for another immediate contributor to pair with senior Travis Koontz.   And at 6-foot-7, 245-pounds, Frazier has the size to play the moment he steps on campus.

One factor that worked heavily in Auburn’s favor is Chad Morris, their new offensive coordinator.  Frazier was a long-time Arkansas commit when Morris was head coach in Fayetteville only reopening his recruitment after Morris got the ax last fall.

Now, he will follow to Auburn the former SMU head coach and Clemson offensive coordinator who was a candidate for the Texas Tech head coaching position in 2012 after Tommy Tuberville’s departure.  He also indicated that he has a strong connection with Auburn TE coach Larry Porter.

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"“As a tight end, you’ve got to watch out for some universities who use it, not use it,” Frazier said to 247Sports. “(Morris) showed us a whole presentation of what he’s done at Clemson, SMU and Arkansas. That’s why I originally committed to Arkansas because I know what he does with tight ends. I trust him. … I love Coach Porter. He’s been recruiting me for awhile. He’s a pretty low-key type guy but we get along really well.”"

Tech will now have to turn to some other avenues to find more depth at TE.  The good news is that John Holcomb from Wellington, Texas (a 3-star prospect) has already signed in the class of 2020 but he might not be ready to play immediately.

Look for the grad transfer market to be a possibility.  According to 247Sports, there are plenty of options in the transfer portal.

That site ranks the players based on how they were rated as recruits, which is not a great way to evaluate them as collegiates.  However, they list Miami transfer Brian Polendey as the top uncommitted grad transfer tight end.  Last year, he played in six games but didn’t register a reception for a Hurricane offense that was a disaster.

Jordan Wilson is looking for a new home after leaving UCLA.  In 2019, he caught seven passes for 72 yards bringing his career total to 25 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Also leaving UCLA this year will be Matt Lynch, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound TE who switched to the position from QB for the 2019 season.

Colorado TE Darrion Jones is in the transfer portal as well.  He did not see the field last year but at 6-foot-4, 255-pounds, he could be an option in the blocking game.

It’s hard to tell if Tech has any connection to or interest in these prospects.  But they do give us an idea of what is available on the grad transfer market.  As you can see, it’s not a terribly exciting list and that’s why missing out on Frazier is a disappointing blow.

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