Cibolo Steele running back still very interested in Tech
Despite having several offensive commits in the fold for the 2017 class including quarterback, wide receiver, and three offensive line commits, the Texas Tech coaching staff is still in search of a running back to add to their commit list.
One of the top prospects on their board is Cibolo (TX) Steele running back Travell Lumpkin. The Red Raiders offered Lumpkin back in July when former Steele head coach Mike Jinks was still on staff, and despite the departure of Jinks to Bowling Green, Lumpkin and Tech keep in contact on a very consistent basis. Lumpkin speaks with offensive coordinator Eric Morris regularly and also talks with teammate and current Tech commit, Xavier Martin, who is also recruiting the prospect.
Lumpkin, a two-star prospect, finished his senior season with 1,016 yards and 15 touchdowns on 177 carries for the state runner-up Cibolo Steele. He also garnered Second Team All-District honors last season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Lumpkin holds only two offers currently, Tech and Houston, but he is also starting to gain more interest from plenty of other programs including Texas, Oklahoma State, and Washington among others. This coming spring and summer Lumpkin is working to set up visits to Texas and Houston.
The 6-foot running back also plans on visiting Lubbock again to see the coaches and take a look at the new facilities being built. The two-star prospect is also hoping to improve his recruiting stock by attending a Rivals camp in the Houston-area. The Steele product is also a two-sport athlete participating in both football and track. He runs the 4x100, the 4x200, and the 100-meter dash with his fastest 100-meter dash being a 10.87.
IN HIS WORDS
“They send me letters often, and I keep up with the coaches through Twitter and stuff. They were one of my first offers, so of course they are one of my top schools right now. We just talk about what the depth chart would look like when I get up there and how much they really want me. He tells me I’m one of the top running backs on their board.”
“I enjoy watching Justin (Stockton) play, but what really caught my eye is DeAndre Washington and how he played the past couple of seasons. He ran the ball for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons which is a huge accomplishment in an offense like Tech.”
OUR REACTION
The connection here, as stated, is obviously former associate head coach and RBs coach Mike Jinks, who headed to Bowling Green to be the head coach in December. However, the fact that the Red Raiders are still interested in the tailback shows they mean business with the RB. We'll see if and when he sets up a visit to Lubbock. - Will McKay