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Texas Tech’s battle for elite DB is drawing Big 12, SEC sharks into the water

Waco, Texas recruit Davontrae Kirkland has released his top six schools and Texas Tech is in the mix along with a host of programs Red Raider fans love to hate.
ByMatthew Conner|
Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders players helmets are lined up on the sideline during practice before the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Sep 4, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders players helmets are lined up on the sideline during practice before the game against the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Recruiting never seems to stop in the world of college football. What's more, even as Texas Tech and its rivals are still working on filling out their 2026 classes, efforts are being made to get a jump start on 2027's haul. In fact, the Red Raiders are already in a heated battle with some familiar rivals to land Waco, Texas, defensive back Davontrae Kirkland, who will be a junior this fall.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete has already released his top six destinations. Still in the fight, along with Texas Tech, are Oklahoma, Baylor, Texas A&M, TCU, and Houston. In other words, Tech is slugging it out with some familiar programs that draw the ire of Red Raider fans everywhere.

Right now, Kirkland is not ranked by 247Sports.com. However, Rivals.com lists him as a 4-star recruit and the No. 31 player in Texas for the class of 2027. Given his Big 12 and SEC-heavy offer list (which also includes Arizona and Arizona State), it is easy to see that he will be highly coveted as his recruitment plays out.

Though Kirkland won't appear on campus for over two years, it is easy to see how he could fit into Texas Tech's plans. That's because this program has a number of upperclassmen in the secondary who will exhaust their eligibility in the next two seasons.

Returning Red Raiders such as A.J. McCarty, Maurion Horn, Brenden Jordan, and Chapman Lewis are all familiar names in the secondary, and each is either a junior or senior in 2025. What's more, new transfer additions such as Cole Wisniewski, Brice Pollock, Dontae Balfour, and Amier Boyd will all likely be gone by the time Kirkland would take a roster spot.

So even though this is a recruiting battle that is playing out two years ahead of Kirkland's arrival, it is one to watch. That's because it seems as if he is either going to be a Red Raider or wind up playing for a school that most people around Raiderland have a hard time being able to stomach.

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