Dallas-area defensive back has interest in Tech
David Gibbs’ defensive back recruiting philosophy is rather simple: If you are above six-feet tall, you are a prospect that could pop up on his recruiting board at some point. With that in mind, the Red Raiders are looking for some defensive back help for the 2017 class and Flower Mound (TX) Marcus cornerback Matt Hankins is a prospect to watch. The six-foot-one Hankins was reaching out to former defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis often, so the Red Raider coaching staff is already familiar with the prospect.
Hankins racked up 33 tackles, 13 pass break ups and two interceptions on his way to 6-6A First Team All-District honors.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Hankins is a multi-sport athlete and runs track in conjunction with football. The defensive back prospect participates in the long and triple jumps and will run the 4x100-meter relay and the 100 and 200-meter dashes this year. Hankins said the main reason for running track is to get faster for football.
Currently an unrated prospect, Hankins was invited to and will participate in the Rivals Camp Series on March 19 in Dallas. The Dallas-area recruit holds five offers currently from the likes of Duke, Kansas, SMU, Colorado State, and Utah State. He has plans to visit SMU this weekend and Duke on March 5. A trip to Lubbock could definitely take place if the option is put on the table.
IN HIS WORDS
“I have interest, I definitely have interest," he said. "I’m not sure who the new defensive backs coach is right now, so things are kind of up in the air. I’m definitely open to them, though and am interested. I like how it is a place that is away from home but it isn’t too far. I feel like it is a different environment out there.”
“My length and my press coverage are big aspects of my game that would translate well to a school like Tech. I like to be real physical. My hips are real fluid, and I am athletic enough to where if I do get beat, I can catch up with the receiver and make a play on the ball.”
OUR REACTION
Obviously, Texas Tech is in need of adding more defensive backs for the future, so when they find guys that are over six foot such as Hankins, it's a no brainer to at least give him a look. He's clearly interested in Tech, so we'll see what happens in the next few months. -Will McKay