Red Raiders back in play for this 2018 legacy?

The Texas Tech coaching staff hosted a handful of prospects for the game against Eastern Washington, and the Hanspard brothers were arguably the most important targets in town this past weekend.

The Hanspards have certainly visited Lubbock before, but this visit was originally setup to accompany their father - legendary Texas Tech running back Byron Hanspard - to his hall of fame induction ceremony.

For DeSoto corner Byron Hanspard II, who is committed to Arkansas, it was a great opportunity to meet with the Texas Tech coaches and see the team in action.

"The Tech coaches offered me early on, at least two years ago," Hanspard said. "I was injured at the time and they had offered me as a receiver, which is the position that I played at the time. Things got off to a slow start with Texas Tech though, they offered and I didn't really hear from them much.

"Then going into my senior season, the coaches came in to visit me and started to express interest. They know that I'm committed to Arkansas, but they are still recruiting me. I mostly speak with Coach (Karl) Scott and I would say that things are trending a little better with Tech now."

Hanspard played wide receiver for DeSoto until this past season where he transitioned to the defensive seconary, and the three-star prospect has thrived in his role for the Eagles.

"I had never thought about playing defense, not at all," Hanspard said. "I always wanted to be passing, running or catching the ball on offense. It was the summer before last season, one of my teammates went out with an injury and I have been playing defensive back ever since.

"It was still during the off-season and we had 7-on-7 games, so my coaches had me move over to defense and I actually ended with five interceptions and several pass breakups on the day. We ended up winning a state championship and had a great year as a defense, so the transition went very well. This season, I'm going to play corner, the nickel and even some safety. My coaches are just utilizing me for whatever scheme or opponent we face each week."

The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect is in regular contact with Texas Tech defensive backs coach Karl Scott.

"I have started talking with Coach Scott, mostly messages on Twitter," Hanspard said. "He was very welcoming and was open with me, which I appreciated. He has talked me to from a defensive back level, not pressuring me to 'come to Tech' and just getting to know me.

"Coach Scott likes my athleticism at the corner position, especially coming from offense to defense. He said that it gives me an advantage knowing the offensive side, and really likes my hips and how I play multiple positions in the defensive backfield already."

The Hanspards also sat down to speak with head coach Kliff Kingsbury during the visit this weekend.

"My brother and I sat down with Coach Kingsbury and Coach (Emmett) Jones for a meeting this weekend," Hanspard said. "He basically told me that he wants me at Texas Tech, but that he is not going to pressure me to be there either. I really appreciated that about the whole coaching staff this weekend, because they never talked down on Arkansas and want me to create my own path."

Hanspard and his family spent two days in Lubbock and had an opportunity to see more of the Texas Tech campus.

"We stayed in Lubbock for two days, Saturday and Sunday," Hanspard said. "On Saturday, we attended the game and got to go onto the field with my father during his recognition for his hall of fame induction. It was an extraordinary experience, because everyone wanted to shake his hand and get his autograph. It was a great visual to have and a dream for me to aspire to.

"We also had a chance to visit their new locker rooms, and we visited with some of the coaches and players. On Sunday, the coaches gave us a more detailed tour of the facilities and showed us the new indoor practice facility. We got to see the whole campus, and it is very reserved and relaxed. Of course it was busy on the game day weekend, but it was definitely one big family there and that was great to see."

The legacy prospect did reaffirm his commitment to Arkansas, but the Red Raiders coaching staff certainly made up some ground with the unofficial visit this weekend. Hanspard also mentioned Baylor, Vanderbilt and Colorado as other programs that have continued to recruit him despite his current commitment to the Razorbacks.

Currently rated a 5.6 three-star prospect, Hanspard was invited to play in the 2017 Under Armour All-American Game in Florida this year. He also received the Sammy 'Bo' Mings Jr. Legacy Award - an award given to the Christian Athlete of the Year, out of 1,897 total players considered for the honor.