Texas Tech football: Red Raiders still in the fight for important 2021 DT

The Texas Tech football program has made the top six for 2021 defensive tackle Albert Regis but the competition for this 300-pounder is going to be fierce.

They say you can’t coach size in any sport meaning that you can’t coach your players to get substantially larger than their DNA stipulates.  Thus, you had better be able to recruit it and that’s what the Texas Tech football program is attempting to do by targeting defensive tackle Albert Regis.

The 6-foot-1, 300-pound native of La Porte, Texas is one of Tech’s most important and recruiting targets in the class of 2021, and recently, he narrowed his list of suitors down to six schools.  Along with the Red Raiders, he is still considering Texas, A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and  Houston.

Rated by 247Sports.com as a 3-star prospect, he’s the NO. 32 DT in the nation and the No. 71 player in Texas.  In addition to his top 6 schools, he boasts offers from the likes of Minnesota, Baylor, TCU, Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and others.

https://twitter.com/Albertregis44/status/1296996041213050880?s=20

"Gabe Brooks of 247Sports has the following scouting report of Regis: “Adequate size but limited frame relative to position projection. Owns a unique multi-positional background on both sides of the ball.“Has played tight end and fullback on offense, plus interior D-line in four- and three-man fronts. Flashes impressive lateral quick-footedness that aids in terrific pursuit ability. Motor runs high. Range from sideline to sideline vs. the run. Runs very well for his size, to the point of being a RAC threat on offense.“Also high-points and shows good ball skills at tight end. Leverage aids in promising close-quarters power, whether as a blocker or when attacking an O-lineman. Less-than-ideal frame limits physical ceiling. Occasionally gets overwhelmed by size/strength in the phone booth. Athletic context limited to one track time from sophomore year, albeit a good one (11.53 100).“Plays seek-and-destroy defensive style and must hone technique, including get-off consistency and expanding move set. Very unique defensive line prospect with promising collection of tools. Projects to high-major level as potential multi-year starter once developed.”More from Wreck'Em RedTexas Tech football: Red Raider fans need to know about these MountaineersTexas Tech football: Red Raiders land first commit for class of 2025Texas Tech football: Why have the Red Raiders struggled on the road under McGuire?Texas Tech football: Why the Red Raiders can compete for a Big 12 titleTexas Tech football: Plenty of questions remain as conference play arrives"

Replenishing the defensive tackle position is going to be important in this recruiting cycle as the Red Raiders could lose Nick McCann to graduation after this year if he decides not to come back (the NCAA is going to allow all players to play this year without losing a year of eligibility).  What’s more, in neither of the last two signing classes have the Red Raiders added a DT.

Fortunately, the 2021 class already has one defensive tackle already in the fold, DeMeco Roland, a 3-star JUCO commit.  Still, adding a player of Regis’ pedigree is the type of recruiting coup that Matt Wells needs to start pulling off with more consistency.

But beating the likes of A&M and UT is going to be tough.  In fact, of the six 247Sports crystal ball predictions, five have been cast for the Longhorns.  However, the other was cast for Minnesota, which didn’t even make the top 6 in this fight showing just how much can change in a recruiting battle this important.

So keep an eye on the name of Albert Regis.  He’s the type of player that can help Tech start to turn its fortunes on the recruiting trail and that’s something that Wells needs to start showing the ability to do in order to curry some favor with a fan base that he still has yet to make significant in-roads with.