2017 DE interested in Texas Tech
The 2016 recruiting cycle is just a month away from coming to a close. With that in mind, 2017 recruiting will start to pick up soon after signing day on February 5th. Texas Tech will have several new prospects pop up on their radar in the coming months, and a name to keep an eye on is 2017 Temple (Texas) defensive end Taquon Graham. Graham already holds several FBS offers and is a name the Red Raider coaching staff may want to keep an eye on for the future. The defensive end prospect is rated as the number 39 player in Texas and the number 13 weakside defensive end.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The three-star prospect recently concluded his junior season for the 12-2 Temple Owls in which he recorded 60 tackles, 15 sacks, and 23.5 tackles for a loss, earning him All-District MVP honors and First team All-State honors as well. Graham played all along the Wildcats’ four-man front but is mainly focused on developing his skills as a defensive end or even an outside linebacker for the next level. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound prospect has taken a few visits already but is looking to take some more in the coming months, especially to schools in the area like Texas Tech if the two parties start to get in contact. Currently Graham is participating in power lifting and is already anxiously awaiting the start of spring ball starts a few months.
IN HIS WORDS
“Tech is a possibility because they are close to home which gives my family the opportunity to come out and see me play,” he said. “I’m just looking at the trajectory of the programs right now. They don’t have to necessarily be winning, but they need to be on the rise. I know Texas Tech is looking for a difference maker, and I can be that. They are on the rise, they stayed in the game versus TCU and stayed in games versus a lot of top teams. They pulled off wins and stayed in games which keeps me interested.”
OUR REACTION
The 2017 recruiting cycle is in its infancy for the majority of junior prospects, including the likes of Graham. Tech will certainly be on the lookout for a number of defensive linemen to continue to build for the future in the trenches, and Graham is a player that will pop onto the radar of many in-state programs this spring. -Will McKay