A select few college football programs are so stocked with
talent that there is little real need for incoming recruits to contribute
immediately. To some extent, those programs simply recruit the best players
they can find without worrying about bolstering specific positions.
Texas Tech is not among those programs. Rather, like 90
percent of FBS programs, the Red Raiders must recruit to fill specific voids
and needs. The extent to which Tech’s most recent class accomplishes that task
is perhaps the best way to measure the success of the recruiting effort. And
the best way to evaluate the success of the effort is a position
group-by-position group breakdown. All grades are on a scale of one to 10.
Quarterback:
Level of Need: 1
Need Fulfillment: 10
Mike Leach, a man who knows something about quarterbacks,
believes you always recruit at least one quarterback, regardless of existing
strength at that position. Kliff Kingsbury seems to be a devotee of that
philosophy. Tech returns a youthful potential superstar at the position in
Michael Brewer, and boasts strong-armed young backups in Clayton Nicholas and
Dustin Walton. Davis Webb was one of Texas’ premier high school quarterback
prospects, but he will assuredly redshirt.
Running Back:
Level of Need: 1
Need Fulfillment: 4
The Red Raiders have no real need at this position. Kenny Williams is one of the Big 12’s top returning backs, SaDale
Foster is a proven backup, DeAndre Washington showed
tremendous potential before getting hurt, and redshirt freshman Quinton White
impressed before succumbing to an injury of his own. The only reason to even
recruit Tyler Middleton is Washington and White’s history of injury. If this
quartet stays remotely healthy, Middleton will redshirt.
Receiver:
Level of Need: 7
Need Fulfillment: 8
A starting receiver corps of Jace Amaro, Javon Bell, Jakeem Grant
and Eric Ward looks mighty potent. Few teams can field better. And the Red
Raiders will have an ace backup on the outside in the person of Bradley Marquez. But remaining depth is largely young, untested and injury prone.
That’s where the need is. It is a need the incoming class fills quite
admirably. D. J. Polite-Bray could easily be Eric Ward’s top understudy, and
Dylan Cantrell could do the same behind Jakeem Grant. Gary Moore, if he
develops, could be counted on to replace Jace Amaro if he jumps to the NFL following next season.
Offensive Line:
Level of Need: 7
Need Fulfillment: 9
It is extremely difficult to find shovel-ready offensive
linemen. What’s more, Tech has a real need for just such players. The most
crying need is at right tackle where redshirt freshmen look to possibly be the
primary candidates to start. Enter JUCO recruit Aaron Bennett and freshman Josh
Outlaw. Both are prime time talents who immediately shore up the position. Poet Thomas and Baylen Brown could also be future stars.
Defensive Tackle:
Level of Need: 5
Need Fulfillment: 2
With Kerry Hyder (the Big 12’s
best) and Delvon Simmons, the Red Raiders are set for
starters. Dennell Wesley is a competent backup. But
beyond this trio there are real questions. Michael Starts has huge talent, but
health issues and a questionable commitment level are concerning. Sophomore Donte Phillips played little as a freshman. Redshirt
freshmen J. J. Lollar and Anthony Smith are coming
off injuries, and the latter must also slim down. It would have been nice if
Tech could have signed one or two tackles.
Defensive End:
Level of Need: 4
Need Fulfillment: 6
Tech’s defensive ends corps of Dartwan
Bush, Branden Jackson, Jackson Richards and Pete Robertson is solid but unspectacular, even though Bush is a bit underrated.
Thus, this was not a position of extreme need. Tech could have done a bit
better here, though. JUCO transfer Demetrius Alston is the only newcomer likely
to make any sort of an impact at defensive end, and he played only one game
last season before suffering an injury. Still, you like his size (six-foot-four
and 260 pounds) and the fact he was recruited by Kansas State and Tennessee.
With Dartwan Bush a senior in 2013, though, Tech will
need to hit this position hard next season.
Linebacker:
Level of Need: 6
Need Fulfillment: 3
Tech’s linebackers are somewhat like the defensive ends.
There is solid experience in this group, but very little on-field performance
history that blows one’s doors off. Sam Eguavoen is
improving, but Will Smith, Blake Dees and Micah Awe have yet to really live up
to their billing. A talent infusion was needed. The jury is still out on
whether the 2013 recruiting class accomplished that. Jacarthy
Mack could be very good eventually, but it’s unlikely he’ll see the field in
2013. Malik Jenkins and Kahlee Woods are even less
likely to help immediately.
Cornerback:
Level of Need: 5
Need Fulfillment: 7
Cornerback is another position where Tech has no superstars.
Bruce Jones played reasonably well in 2012, and Jarvis Phillips is very
experienced, but players like Brandon Bagley, Oly Falemi, Thierry Nguema and Jeremy Reynolds are enigmas. (Look for Reynolds to surprise.) Kliff Kingsbury’s staff
didn’t strike a mother lode at corner in 2013, but they certainly landed a gem
in Dee Paul. He will help immediately, and it’s not out of the question that he
could start before the end of his freshman season.
Safety:
Level of Need: 7
Need Fulfillment: 4
Much depends on Terrance Bullitt and Tre
Porter here. Bullitt could be an excellent safety, but frankly there’s not much
reason to believe he will stay healthy for any length of time. Porter will
presumably move from nickel back to safety. If he does, he will unquestionably
start. Porter’s potential has so far remained untapped. Beyond that duo, the
Red Raiders have no real experience whatsoever. There could be real pressure on
Jalen Barnes to contribute immediately. He may well
be up to the task, but another prime safety recruit wouldn’t have gone amiss.