Texas Tech football: Early 2021 recruiting targets to watch

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Jones AT&T Stadium is pictured before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 19: Jones AT&T Stadium is pictured before the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Iowa State Cyclones on October 19, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Texas Tech Red Raiders captains Jax Welch #30, Xavier Benson #37, Thomas Leggett #16 and Riko Jeffers #6  (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Texas Tech Red Raiders captains Jax Welch #30, Xavier Benson #37, Thomas Leggett #16 and Riko Jeffers #6  (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

TE Jasper Lott

Even those who have only been paying scant attention to Tech’s recruiting efforts under Wells will be aware that this offensive coaching staff highly values tight ends.  It’s been one of the most heavily-targeted position groups on the roster since Wells arrived, party because years of not having any on campus left the cupboard barren.

Tech signed a  high school TE in each of the last two classes as well as JUCO TE Travis Koontz in 2019.  Still, Wells and Co. tried to bring 4-star 2020 TE Brandon Frazier on board late in the last recruiting cycle (only to see him sign with Auburn) proving that they do not feel all that comfortable with their depth at the position.

In the 2021 class, at least seven tight ends have already received offers from Tech.  One to watch is Argyle, Texas native Jasper Lott.  At 6-foot-5, 243-pounds he is the No. 37 player at his position in the nation and the No. 109 recruit in Texas.

A 3-star talent, he holds offers from the likes of LSU, Arkansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, TCU, Purdue, Virginia, and others.  His offer from the Red Raiders came all the way back in December.

This season will be the final one as a Red Raider for Koontz leaving the roster again rather thin at TE.  And given that the other two TEs on the roster, redshirt freshman Simon Gonzalez and true freshman John Holcomb, don’t seem ready to contribute this year (thus the pursuit of Frazier), there remains a need to add talent.

Expect the Red Raiders to bring in a grad transfer or JUCO TE this offseason to help but that won’t ease the concerns about the numbers at the position moving forward.  It wouldn’t be a shock to see two tight ends sign in 2021 and Lott would be a great addition.