Harrell ends suspense, commits to Texas Tech

There has been a lot of speculation over the past few weeks on when record-setting Ennis signal-caller Graham Harrell would make his decision and to just what team he would commit. Last night, the 6-2, 183-pound Harrell put an end to the suspense when he put in phone call to the Texas Tech coaching staff to let them know he would be taking his talents to Lubbock as part of a suddenly red-hot Red Raider program.

“Last night he came in my room and just said, ‘Dad I want to go to Tech,’” said Graham’s father and Ennis head coach Sam Harrell. “It’s usually ‘I like this’ or ‘I think this.’ We haven’t talked a ton about (recruiting) over the year to be honest with you. But last night was the first time, I could just tell, that he felt really good about it and more sure than he had ever been.”

Harrell chose the Red Raiders over scholarship offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia, North Carolina State and Wisconsin among others.

There has been a lot of talk over the past several months that Harrell might end up at Texas Tech. Then, late in the summer he began exploring his options a little more and put any commitment plans on hold.

“We took some visits this summer and everything was really nice and there was a lot of talk about him committing. But we were told by one of the coaches, ‘don’t do it until you know it’s the right place. You’ll know it when it is. If you don’t feel comfortable, just keep going, and it will keep unveiling itself as you go.’ That’s kind of what has happened,” coach Harrell said.

After weighing his options and considering the benefits that Texas Tech provides in terms of proximity and a wide-open offense, Harrell decided the opportunity to play for the Red Raiders was too good to pass up.

“They’re offense fits him and is doing really well. If you’re a throwing quarterback, what place would be more fun to be?,” said coach Harrell. “They’re getting good recruits and good receivers so it’s just a great place to be. And they’re winning because of that, there’s excitement in the program and they seem like they’re having fun doing it.

“All along it’s been closer to home, in Texas. That hasn’t been a big deal to us, but that’s kind of gotten to be a little more appealing, thinking that he would be closer. And the offense isn’t exactly like ours, but it’s as close as there is. So it’s a great fit. It really seems like it’s a program that’s on the rise and heading in the right direction and having some good things happen.”

Harrell’s commitment comes on the heels of a very successful weekend for the Red Raiders, one that saw the staff reel in six junior college commitments and make serious strides on a handful of other prospects.

The nation’s seventh-ranked pro-style quarterback by Rivals.com, Harrell is the state’s all-time career touchdown pass leader with 135. This season, he has completed 158-of-235 attempts for 2418 yards and 35 touchdowns against just four interceptions.

For more information on Harrell’s commitment, including notes from when the news first broke last night and a couple inside nuggets of information, see our premium message board.

For video clips of Harrell in action, click here.