LUBBOCK, Texas (Texas Tech Press Release) –Texas Tech head football coach Kliff Kingsbury and his staff announced the signing of 24 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday.
One of the strongest and deepest defensive classes in recent memory, the group consists of 14 defensive players (seven defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs) and 10 offensive players (one quarterback, four offensive linemen, one running back and four wide receivers). According to ESPN, Tech’s group is also one of the nation’s top-10 largest recruiting classes.
Of Texas Tech’s 24-member signing class, 16 are Texas natives, three are from Louisiana with one each from Arkansas, California, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Virginia respectively. From within the state of Texas, eight are from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, four are from the Houston metro area, two are from the San Antonio/Austin area and two are West Texans. Four players graduated from Dallas Skyline High School.
Four players—De’Quan Bowman, Jett Duffey, Johnathan Picone and Derrick Willies—signed in December and are already enrolled in classes at Texas Tech for the current spring 2016 semester.
2016 TEXAS TECH FOOTBALL SIGNEES BIO CAPSULES
ZACH ADAMS
Offensive Lineman, 6-6, 315, Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend H.S.
“Zach has an excellent combination of character, athletic ability, size and a great frame. He moves well for a player of his size, has good initial punch and is aggressive.” –Lee Hays
Signed National Letter of Intent…Consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, Scout, 247sports and ESPN…
Named to the USA Today Virginia All-State Second Team and VirginiaPreps.com Class 6A First Team All-State…First Team All-Area, All-Region First Team and two-time All-Conference selection…Totaled 42 pancakes, 56 knockdowns and graded out at 94 percent as a senior…Competed in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl…Spent majority of his life growing up in Houston…Selected Texas Tech from among 14 scholarship offers including West Virginia, Virginia, Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Duke, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Miami, Fla., Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Penn State, Oklahoma and TCU.
De’QUAN BOWMAN
Wide Receiver, Junior, 5-11, 180, Millville, N.J./Hutchinson C.C. (Kansas)/Millville H.S.
“De’Quan is an all-purpose player and inside wide receiver with natural speed in the open field and deep threat ability.” –Eric Morris
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN and three-star by Scout.com and 247sports…Named National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honorable mention selection as an all-purpose specialist…All-Region and All-Conference honoree who concluded his two-year career at Hutchinson with 84 receptions and 1,306 yards receiving, both totals among the school’s top-5 career totals…As a sophomore in 2015, led the Blue Dragons in receiving with 50 catches for 770 yards and five touchdowns, all-purpose yards with 1,170 yards and punt returns with 17 for 191 yards…Named an All-State player as a high school senior…Chose Tech over Iowa State, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Oregon State and Wisconsin.
JORDYN BROOKS
Linebacker, 6-1, 235, Houston, Texas/Stratford H.S.
“Jordyn has a real knack for finding the ball and his lateral pursuit is strong. He excels at making plays up and down the line of scrimmage and playing good, sound fundamental football.” –Zac Spavital
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a three-star recruit by Scout, 247sports and ESPN…Two-time Class 5A District 19 First Team selection and All-Greater Houston Chronicle honorable mention pick…
Finished his senior season with 63 total tackles, 43 solo, 1.0 sack, four pass deflections and 6.0 tackles for loss…Selected Texas Tech over offers from Colorado State, Arkansas, Central Florida, Houston, Iowa State, Missouri and Washington.
TRAVIS BRUFFY
Offensive Lineman, 6-6, 270, Missouri City, Texas/Fort Bend Ridge Point H.S.
“Standing 6-feet-6 inches, Travis is tall and lean with a great frame. He has long arms to keep defenders off of him and is great at keeping his hands inside and pancaking defenders that he blocks. He can also get upfield and block.” –Lee Hays
Signed National Letter of Intent…Earned Texas Associated Press Class 5A All-State honorable mention honors…Two-time All-District selection, Houston All-Area Super Team nominee and Houston Chronicle All-Area Team…Honored by the Touchdown Club of Houston High School on its Greater All-Area team…
Registered 38 pancakes, 50 knockdowns and graded out at 96 percent as a senior…Also recruited by Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, LSU, TCU, Baylor, Houston, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas State.
DOUGLAS COLEMAN
Defensive Back, 6-1, 175, Zachary, La./Zachary H.S.
“Douglas was a major contributor in all three phases of the game. He has the size and length we are looking for at the defensive back position.” –David Gibbs
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, 247sports, ESPN…
Recruited by Texas Tech as a defensive back…Named a Class 5A First Team All-State and Louisiana Sportswriters All-State selection…Over two-year varsity career, caught 114 passes for 2,334 yards, 23 receiving touchdowns for a 20.5 yards per catch average…Finished senior year with 62 receptions for 1,482 yards and 15 touchdowns…Guided his team to a Class 5A state title as a senior…Committed to Texas Tech on January 31, 2016 and selected the Red Raiders over offers from Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Southern Mississippi, Arkansas State and New Mexico State while receiving interest from LSU, Baylor, Auburn, Florida State, Oklahoma State, Miami, Fla. and Mississippi State.
ANTOINE COX-WESLEY
Wide Receiver, 6-5, 175, Cibolo, Texas/Steele H.S.
“Antoine is a long and lean wide receiver with size, speed and leaping ability.” –Emmett Jones
Signed National Letter of Intent…Two-time All-District selection…Named to the San Antonio Express-News All-Area Second Team…Played for the East Team in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game…In 24-game varsity career, totaled 1,192 receiving yards on 74 receptions with 15 touchdowns…As a senior, caught 48 passes for 670 yards and 11 touchdowns…Caught 30 passes for 550 yards and six touchdowns as a junior.
JETT DUFFEY
Quarterback, 6-0, 180, Mansfield, Texas/Lake Ridge H.S.
“A dual threat quarterback, Jett is a true competitor and leader who has the drive and determination to improve. He makes extraordinary plays look easy, is hard to tackle, has great work ethic and is a competitive and classy individual. He is accurate, decisive and has the ability to quickly process the defense, then finish off the play with an accurate throw.” –Kliff Kingsbury
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a four-star recruit by Rivals and Scout and three-star recruit by 247sports…Named the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Wells Fargo Mr. Texas Football Award winner…Selected the Class 5A Texas state player of the year and First Team All-State by the Associated Press…Named Class 5A First Team All-State and State Offensive Player of the Year…Recipient of the Tom Landry Award which recognizes the top high school football player in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex…
Named the USA Today Texas State Offensive Player of the Year and All-State First Team and selected Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram Area Player of the Year…Earned Scout Class 5A Dallas Fort Worth Player of the Year honors…Named DFW Varsity Male Athlete of the Year, voted upon by his peers and named Fort Worth Star-Telegram Offensive Player of the Year…Picked as the Class 6-5A Under Armour Texas Quarterback of the Year…Guided the Lake Ridge Eagles to a 15-1 overall record and Class 5A state title game appearance…As a senior, accumulated 4,444 total yards of offense and 48 total touchdowns, completed 165 of 279 passes for 2,756 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions and rushed for 1,688 yards on 172 carries and 19 touchdowns…Completed 162 of 298 passes for 2,259 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed 171 times for 1,103 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior in 2014.Selected Texas Tech over offers from Air Force, Nevada, McNeese State, Southern Illinois and interest from TCU, Purdue, Houston, Baylor and Boise State.
DAMARCUS FIELDS
Defensive Back, 6-0, 185, Taylor, Texas/Taylor H.S.
“DaMarcus offers terrific size and versatility for a defensive back with athleticism and nice leaping ability. He also has great ball skills and has developed his speed.” –David Gibbs
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN…Named an All-District First Team selection and Austin American-Statesman All-Central Texas Second Team Defense…
Registered 101 tackles, four interceptions and eight forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups and a kickoff return as a senior…Also competes in track and field and basketball…Committed to Texas Tech after receiving interest from Baylor, Kansas, SMU, TCU and UTEP.
CLARENCE HENDERSON
Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 230, Dallas, Texas/Skyline H.S.
“Clarence is quick and explosive off the ball. A very good athlete, he is extremely athletic and physical and could easily convert to defensive end.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed a National Letter of Intent…Consensus three-star recruit by Rivals.com, 247sports, Scout and ESPN…Three-time Associated Press Class 6A All-State selection…Two-time All-District First Team honoree and selected to the Dallas Morning News All-Area Second Team as an offensive lineman…Chose Texas Tech over offers from Arizona State, California, Houston, Kansas State, Kansas, UCLA, Washington, SMU, Air Force and Iowa State.
IVORY JACKSON
Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 242, Amarillo, Texas/Amarillo H.S.
“A West Texas native, Ivory is quick for his size, able to shed blockers and explodes to the play. He is able to read plays with a fast recovery and he never quits on a play.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Consensus three-star recruit by 247sports, Scout and ESPN…
Unanimous two-time District 2-6A First Team selection, District’s Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-District First Team…Named to the Amarillo Globe-News First Team All-Area…Finished his senior season with 73 total tackles and nine sacks…Concluded his junior season with 74 tackles, nine sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…Selected Texas Tech over offers from Michigan, Kansas, Kansas State and SMU and also was receiving interest from Texas A&M, Texas, UCLA, TCU, Oklahoma State, San Diego State, Missouri and Minnesota.
NOAH JONES
Defensive Lineman, 6-3, 250, Moore, Okla./Southmoore H.S.
“Noah has a powerfully built lower body. Versatile, big, physical and strong with explosiveness, he is someone who could play across the entire defensive front.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a consensus three-star recruit by Scout, 247sports, Rivals and ESPN…Named to the USA Today Oklahoma All-State First Team and two-time District Defensive Player of the Year and First Team honoree…Two-time All-Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference First Team and Defensive Lineman of the Year selection…Named to the Daily Oklahoman All-State Second Team and Big All-City First Team…In career, accumulated 138 total tackles (96 solo), 11.0 sacks with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries during season season…Concluded senior season with 47 total tackles (30 solo), seven tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries…Named the SoonerScoop Oklahoma Junior of the Year after making 72 tackles (54 solo and 13 for loss), finished with six sacks and recovered two fumbles as a junior in 2014…Chose Texas Tech over Kansas, Kansas State, Navy and Army and received interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Tulsa.
NICK McCANN
Defensive Lineman, 6-2, 300, Texarkana, Ark./Arkansas H.S.
“Nick is explosive, has a knack for making plays and excels at pursuing the football. He always shows up on film even when the ball is not near him.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a consensus three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN…Two-time Arkansas Class 6A South All-State Team selection and to the USA Today All-State Arkansas Second Team…Totaled 93 total tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions as a senior…Registered 87 tackles, 15 sacks and recovered three fumbles as a junior…Chose Texas Tech over nine different offers including Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas and SMU with interest from Texas A&M and Arkansas.
HOUSTON MILLER
Defensive Lineman, 6-4, 240, Keller, Texas/Keller H.S.
“Houston is a relentless pass rusher who can play outside linebacker or defensive end. He plays as physical and as tough as he can. His motor is always running, loves the off-season, practices, games and has size and explosiveness.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a four-star recruit by Scout and three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN…Named to the Associated Press Class 6A All-State First Team…Named the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, DFW Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-District selection…Amassed 239 total tackles (167 solo), 28.0 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, caused 10 fumbles and blocked two field goals…Concluded senior year with 119 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, nine sacks, 15 hurries and five forced fumbles…Made 119 tackles (87 solo), five tackles for loss, three sacks, forced two fumbles as a junior in 2014…Chose Texas Tech after receiving offers from Air Force, Boston College, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Iowa, Minnesota, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas.
KEVIN MOORE
Defensive Back, 6-1, 195, Lafayette, La./Acadiana H.S.
“Kevin is a tremendous, versatile athlete who has great football instincts with an outstanding football IQ. He loves to play football and excels at making open field tackles. He fits into a safety/linebacker combination, can play the run and float out and play the pass as well.” –David Gibbs
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked as a consensus three-star recruit by Scout and 247sports…Two-time Class All-State selection and two-time Acadiana Area District Defensive Most Valuable Player…
Selected to the Lafayette Advertiser All-Acadiana Football Team…Concluded three-year varsity career with 381 total tackles (232 solo), 15 sacks, 28 total tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 12 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries…Concluded junior season with 150 tackles, seven pass breakups, five sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as the Rams’ middle linebacker…Selected Texas Tech over a variety of scholarship offers from other schools including Arizona State, Oklahoma State, California, Kansas State, Louisville, Miami, Fla., Utah and Texas.
GIOVANNI PANCOTTI
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 280, Houston, Texas/Bellaire Episcopal H.S.
“An aggressive run blocker and effective pass blocker, Gio has good length and the versatility to play any position on the offensive line.” –Lee Hays
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated as a consensus three-star recruit by Scout, Rivals, 247sports and ESPN…Two-time All-Conference team selection, All-VYPE and named to the All-South Houston Team…
Named the 2015 Houston Touchdown Club Private School Offensive Lineman of the Year…Competed in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl…Finished with 40 pancakes, 49 knockdowns and graded out at 95 percent as a senior…Selected Texas Tech over Houston, Kansas State, South Carolina, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas, Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M and Texas State.
JOHNATHAN PICONE (pronounced Pi-CONE-ee)
Linebacker, 6-1, 210, Covington, La./Mandeville H.S.
“Johnathan is already enrolled at Texas Tech. He has a reputation for being a high energy, physical linebacker who sheds blocks quietly with good drops in passing lanes.” –Zac Spavital
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a consensus three-star recruit by 247sports, ESPN and Scout…
Named to USA Today Louisiana All-State Second Team…Selected to the All-District First Team and New Orleans Times-Picayune All-Metro First Team Defense…Invited to compete in the All-American Bowl Classic Game…Over his career, accumulated 166 tackles (7.5 per game), 14.0 sacks and caused two fumbles…Led his squad with 96 total tackles (36 solo), 14.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks for 48 yards as a senior linebacker…Finished with 70 total tackles (6.4 per game), 13.0 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks as a junior…Selected Texas Tech over Arizona, Colorado State, Texas, Tulane, Kansas State and Louisiana Tech.
BAILEY SMITH
Offensive Lineman, 6-5, 300, Wylie, Texas/Lovejoy H.S.
“Bailey is an under the radar offensive lineman who played offensive tackle in an offense similar to what we run. He is big, physical and never gives up on a play.” –Lee Hays
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports and ESPN…Earned Dallas Fort Worth All-Area Second Team honors and two-time All-District selection…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection and Herald Democrat First Team All-District pick…Totaled 46 pancakes, 54 knockdowns and graded out at 94 percent as a senior…Chose Texas Tech over UNLV, Arkansas, Texas State, North Texas.
DESMON SMITH
Defensive Back, 6-2, 190, Odessa, Texas/Permian, H.S.
“A speedy cornerback with size, Desmon displays good speed, is athletic and has good instincts. He has been described as a ball-hawk who has the physical traits to be a good cornerback at this level.” –David Gibbs
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a consensus three-star recruit by ESPN, 247sports…Named the Odessa American Statesman All-Permian Basin Defensive Player of the Year honoree…Two-time All-District First Team honoree and named to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Super Defensive Team…
Totaled 35 total tackles (18 solo) with four interceptions, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three tackles for loss as a senior…Finished with 70 tackles, a team-high four interceptions, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and 18 pass breakups as a junior…Selected Texas Tech over offers from Minnesota, Houston, Kansas, Colorado State, Air Force, Nevada, Rice, SMU and Washington State while receiving interest from Arizona State, Oregon, Michigan State, Ohio State, TCU, Texas and Baylor.
BRAYDEN STRINGER
Linebacker, 6-2, 205, Cypress, Texas/Cypress Ranch H.S.
“Brayden has the athleticism, football IQ and speed to excel at linebacker. He reads and pursues plays with precision.” –Zac Spavital
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated as a consensus three-star recruit by 27sports, Rivals and Scout…Unanimous All-District First Team selection and consensus Academic All-District selection…
Named to the Greater Houston Lombardi Watch List and Houston Chronicle Greater Houston Top-100 recruit list…Totaled 38 tackles, two tackles for loss and three interceptions as a senior…Finished with 157 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups and a blocked kick as a junior…Selected Texas Tech over Arizona, California, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin.
MYCH THOMAS (pronounced Mike)
Defensive Lineman, 6-1, 325, Dallas, Texas/Butler County C.C. (Kansas)/Skyline H.S.
“Mych can be a true space eater on the collegiate level. He can get in a gap and be effective. He is hard to move and his eyes are always in the backfield, giving him constant awareness of where to be.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Consensus three-star recruit…Earned All-Kansas Junior Community College Second Team all-conference honors…Concluded his sophomore season at Butler County C.C. with 39 tackles (11 solo), four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss…Finished with 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks as a freshman…Three-time All-District First Team selection at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas…Selected Texas Tech from a variety of scholarship offers including Boise State, Houston and Kansas State and interest from Florida State, Baylor and Oklahoma State.
T.J. VASHER
Wide Receiver, 6-5, 198, Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider H.S.
“A gifted athlete, T.J. has terrific size and speed, great ball skills, an amazing wingspan and his vertical leap is off the charts.” –Emmett Jones
Signed National Letter of Intent…Ranked a consensus four-star recruit by 247sports, Rivals, ESPN and Scout…Two-time Associated Press Class 5A All-State player in both football and basketball…Earned Scout Class 5A Dallas Fort Worth All-Area First Team honors…Over his three-year varsity career, finished with 2,553 receiving yards, 158 receptions, 29 touchdown receptions and a 16.2 yards per catch average…
Concluded senior season with 55 receptions for 1,071 yards (19.5 average), nine touchdowns and a 97.4 receiving yards per game average…Caught 67 passes for 993 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior…
Selected Texas Tech over offers from Ohio State, Mississippi, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi State, Houston and Colorado.
JOE WALLACE
Defensive Lineman, 6-1, 320, Dallas, Texas/Skyline H.S.
“Joe is a space eater that can move the offensive line back. He has great speed for his size and a deceptive first step.” –Kevin Patrick
Signed National Letter of Intent…Rated a consensus three-star recruit…Named co-Defensive Most Valuable Player in District and All-State honorable mention selection…Named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area First Team on Defense…Finished senior year with 50 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble…As a junior, finished with 52 tackles and 10 sacks…
Chose Texas Tech over offers from Iowa State, Maryland, Washington, Colorado, Air Force, SMU, Colorado State.
DA’LEON WARD
Running Back, 5-10, 180, Dallas, Texas/Skyline H.S.
“Da’Leon has the speed and power to make defenders miss. He has the ability to change direction, shift and break tackles.” –Jabbar Juluke
Signed a National Letter of Intent…Consensus three-star recruit by Rivals, Scout, ESPN and 247sports…
Two-time Class 6A All-State honorable mention selection on offense…Named the District Player of the Year as a senior and District Offensive Most Valuable Player as a junior…Over three-year career, accumulated 4,561 rushing yards on 538 carries with 46 touchdowns and 47 receptions for 565 yards and nine receiving touchdowns…Finished with 1,929 rushing yards on 228 carries, 20 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 258 yards and three receiving TDs as a senior…Ran for 1,779 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 16 passes for 140 yard and two touchdowns as a junior…Chose Texas Tech over Louisville, TCU, Boise State, UNLV.
DERRICK WILLIES
Wide Receiver, Junior, 6-3, 205, San Bernardino, Calif./Trinity Valley C.C. (Texas)/Iowa
“Derrick has the size, speed and ability to contribute immediately at outside receiver.” –Emmett Jones.
Signed a National Letter of Intent…Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN, Scout and 247sports…Named to the National Junior College Athletic Association All-America First Team…All-Conference wide receiver at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas…Caught 49 passes for 1,115 yards, 14 touchdowns and 23.6 yards per reception as a sophomore in 2015…Led the nation in yards per reception and ranked among national leaders in receiving yards, yards receiving per game and touchdown catches…Two-time All-State selection at Rock Island High School in Iowa…Chose Texas Tech after receiving offers from Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Oklahoma, Georgia, Fresno State, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma State, TCU and Washington State.
