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Texas Tech football: Red Raiders pick up 3-star running back

By Matthew Conner

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Krishon Merriweather #1, Michael Nelson #39, Colin Schooler #17 and Christian LaValle #45 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - DECEMBER 05: Krishon Merriweather #1, Michael Nelson #39, Colin Schooler #17 and Christian LaValle #45 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders take the field before the college football game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Jones AT&T Stadium on December 05, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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After waiting until mid-June for the Texas Tech football program to pick up its first commitment in the class of 2022, Red Raider fans have had to keep their heads on a swivel this week in order to keep up with all of the verbal pledges that Matt Wells and Co. have hauled in.  With four new members of the current recruiting class having given their pledge to the Red Raiders this week, the program has picked up some serious momentum on the recruiting trail, and part of that momentum includes 3-star running back Bryson Donnell.

The 5-foot-11, 204-pound product from Tyler, Texas gave his commitment to the Red Raiders on Tuesday after being in Lubbock for a visit.  He became the third pledge in the class following defensive back Hut Graham and offensive lineman Kaden Weatherby.  He was later followed by wide receiver Tyler King.

Donnell is rated by 247Sports as the No. 54 running back in the nation and No. 92 overall player in the state of Texas in the class of 2022.  In addition to Tech, he holds offers from the likes of Colorado, Arkansas, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas, Purdue, and a host of other schools.

https://twitter.com/ix_b22/status/1407382889742938114?s=20

This continues the Red Raiders’ recent run of adding quality talent at the running back position.  In fact, Wells’ program is exceptionally stocked at the position now and should be well into the future.

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This year, Tech brings back last season’s leading rusher SaRodorick Thompson.  After 610 rushing yards in 2020, he’s now amassed 1,480 career yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.  However, the start of his 2021 season could be delayed as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.

But even if Thompson is unable to play in Tech’s first handful of games this year, there’s plenty of talent to help fill his shoes.  Former slot receiver turned running back, Xavier White, was actually Tech’s most effective running back at the close of 2020 and he finished the year with 426 yards and two scores.  Meanwhile, Tahj Brooks put up 255 yards and four TDs as a true freshman last season.  That duo is more than capable of carrying the load at RB should Thompson be unable to answer the bell at the season’s onset.

What’s more, former 5-star recruit and Alabama transfer Chad Townsend is expected to have a larger role in the offense this year.  Last season, it seemed as if former OC David Youst simply couldn’t figure out how to get the ball into the explosive playmaker’s hands as he had only 18 carries and three receptions on the season.  But this year, under new OC Sonny Cumbie, Townsend is expected to be a larger part of the Red Raider attack which could help take up the slack should Thompson get a late start on his season.

Of that group, all four could be back in 2022 meaning that Donnell’s time to be a featured part of the offense may have to wait.  But keeping the running back room capably stocked should always be a priority and that’s an important step that Wells accomplished with this commitment.

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