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Members of Texas Tech's incoming freshman class are now days away from beginning their first preseason camp as Red Raiders. During the course of their careers, some of them will exceed expectations, while others will fail to meet them.
Which five newcomers have the biggest chance to exceed their rankings as recruits? Let's dive in.
Brooks is a no-brainer to make this list. He's a ready-made player due to his measurables, and he'll certainly get his chance to make his mark early on as a rotational player in Texas Tech's thin linebacking corps. Brooks is impressive in the flats and off the edge while showing some good ball instincts.
Ranked as a 5.6 three-star prospect and the No. 64 outside linebacker in the country, the Houston native could quickly develop into a key piece for the Red Raider defense.
While Adams may or may not play this fall, he will have a legitimate chance to earn a spot as a top reserve this season. He's a total road-grader on the interior. Adams is intelligent, has a motor and is nasty to boot.
Whether it's this year or down the road, early reports on Adams are that he's poised to be a big piece of Lee Hays' offensive line of the future. It seems very likely that Adams will outperform his 5.6 three-star ranking as a guard at Texas Tech.
More than one Texas Tech coach commented on National Signing Day that he most surprised that receiver-turned-defensive back Douglas Coleman flew under the recruiting radar as much as he did.
He's flat out both a football player and elite athlete, playing all over the field as a senior for Zachary High School and excelling at every position. Douglas is on tap to play either safety or corner for the Red Raiders, and he could certainly find some early playing time at either. Look for his performance to exceed his 5.5 three-star ranking.
Despite playing for one of the biggest football programs in the state, not many college football scouts knew very much about Cox-Wesley. However, he was a standout at Texas Tech's New Braunfels satellite camp over a year ago, flashing some impressive natural athleticism for a guy that measures in at 6-foot-5.
He's long and rangy, and word on the street is that he was one of the biggest surprises of the freshman class this summer.
Playing as a true freshman may be out of the question for Cox-Wesley because of the depth at receiver on this 2016 team, but he's a player that appears to be on track to for sure surpass his 5.5 three-star ranking down the road.
Many around the Metroplex will tell you that Miller was one of the most under-recruited prospects in the area last season, as he has a great 6-foot-4 frame and is impressively fast off the edge for a player of his size.
Miller, who has put on some weight this summer, will have a chance to come in and at the very least be a situational pass rusher for the Red Raiders as a true freshman. His ceiling is crazy high for down the road.
The Keller prospect was ranked a 5.5 three-star on National Signing Day, but he was actually a two-star prospect for most of the recruiting process. He's one of several set to shatter his recruiting ranking expectations. Bank on it.
