Texas Tech basketball: Red Raiders hand out several offers to 2022 targets

In recent days, the Texas Tech basketball program has handed out several offers to top targets in the class of 2022.

Chris Beard never rests.  Even during the current coronavirus pandemic, the Texas Tech basketball head coach is putting in work when it comes to securing the future of his program.

Recently, Beard and the Red Raiders have handed out a flurry of offers to players in the class of 2022.  And as one might expect, the targets are some of the best in the nation.

Colin Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward from Dallas fits that bill.  Rated the No. 79 player in the nation and the No. 9 player in Texas by 247Sports’ composite rankings, the small forward already holds offers from the likes of Kansas, Georgetown, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Stanford, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, and UCLA.

On Monday, he reported an offer from the Red Raiders as well.  Last season, he averaged 20 points and 3 rebounds per game.

If it is big men you want to see Tech target, you should keep an eye on Kelel Ware.  The 6-foot-10 center from Little Rock, Arkansas received an offer from Chris Beard on Sunday and shared the news on Twitter.

Also holding offers from Virginia Tech, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, he is currently unranked by 247Sports but that’s certain to change.  According to the website Endlessmotor.net, he is going to be a prospect that sees his stock skyrocket once in-person evaluations have resumed after the global pandemic.

"That site has the following take on his game: “Ware is a 6’10 rim protecting presence with perimeter shotmaking ability that extends to the three point line while having solid footwork when operating as a back-to-the-basket scorer.”"

In that article, Ware also says that Tech is the school that has shown him the most love thus far.  However, stealing a big-time in-state recruit out from under the nose of the Razorbacks will be a challenge.

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Meanwhile, some backcourt help could come from 6-foot-3 guard Derrian Ford, who is also a native of The Natural State.  The Magnolia, Arkansas product picked up his offer from Tech in the last few days.

Though he is also yet to receive a rating from 247Sports, his offer list of Alabama, Kansas, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Oklahoma State, and several other major conference programs tells us just how highly-coveted of a player he is.  Leading his team to a 26-0 record this past year, he averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds.  That’s some impressive work by a sophomore.

Back in the Lone Star State, 6-foot-4 Richardson forward Rylen Griffen added an offer from Tech to his list of schools to choose from.  Also in the mix are Kansas, Arkansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Creighton, Ole Miss, TCU, A&M, and others.

A four-star prospect, he’s rated by 247Sports as the No. 76 player in the nation and the No. 7 player in Texas.  His offer from Beard came on Monday according to Ian Mumm of Five on Five hoops.

Griffen’s teammate, Cason Wallace also picked up an offer from Chris Beard this week.  The 6-foot-4 shooting guard also holds offers from Baylor, DePaul, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and TCU.

We have a long way to go until the 2022 Texas Tech signing class is in the books.  But that isn’t stopping Beard from trying to get a jump on the competition by fostering long-term relationships with some of the best local and regional talent the high school ranks have to offer.