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Texas Tech: Reactions to Matt Wells’ first presser of fall camp

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Matt Wells of the Texas Tech Red Raiders looks on during the second half of the college football game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Head coach Matt Wells of Texas Tech. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Head coach Matt Wells of Texas Tech. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

How has recruiting changed

Of course, the way programs are able to recruit in 2020 has changed drastically.  That’s not been lost on Texas Tech football fans, many of whom are concerned about Tech’s current class ranking, which is 9th in the Big 12.  Wells was asked how recruiting has been different since March and he pointed to the amount of online contact that has taken place.

"“Zooms, virtual tours…just how recruiting has played out is maybe as general as I can say it,” Wells said.  “But it’s a little easier I think to be more invested in a lot of kids when they’ve already been on your campus because the face-to-face contact has been there from them coming to see us. That’s important.  I think the best part of Texas Tech is the part that is you’re not seeing it and that’s our people, that’s our coaches, our staff, our recruiting staff, the fans. “I certainly think that’s a hurdle every school’s having to jump over and I think we’ve done it well at times and I think there’s times where it’s harder to get a great deep connection with a kid and his parents when they haven’t been here. “"

Indeed, not being able to bring recruits to Lubbock has been a problem for Wells and the Red Raiders.  In fact, given that Tech lags behind other schools in the Big 12 and around the region in terms of prestige and facilities, being able to form in-person relationships may be more important to Wells and Co. than other coaching staffs.

Additionally, being able to bring players to Lubbock is key because many recruits have never visited the Hub City.  Without being able to bring them to town, it is much tougher to battle the misconceptions about Lubbock and West Texas that the recruits have floating around in the back of their minds.

Right now, the Red Raiders’ 2021 class is just No. 78 in the nation.  That’s got to improve but one has to wonder how much it can if Wells remains unable to host recruits the way he would in a normal year.

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