3/1/2016 football Edit

Sparks set to visit the South Plains

Matt Clare • RedRaiderSports

Recruiting Analyst

I write about recruiting and tell stories, been in the game for five years. Thanks for reading, please @ me with any questions because this is all intended to be interactive.

The Texas Tech coaches will host a group of unofficial visitors on campus this weekend. Wilmer-Hutchins (Texas) wide receiver Herb Sparks is making the trip to the South Plains with his high school coach and two of his teammates - Gregory Weathers and Lewis Gibson.

"I'm visiting Texas Tech this weekend," Sparks said. "Me and two of my teammates, Lewis (Gibson) and Gregory (Weathers). I have been in touch with Coach (Emmett) Jones for a while now. We started talking halfway through last season, he contacted me and introduced me to Coach (Eric) Morris.

"They are both coming to watch me practice later this spring, and they are ready for me to visit this weekend. We talk almost every day and they think I'm a great fit for the offense they run. Coach Jones came out to our track practice and likes my speed, how quickly I can get down the field. If I get that offer, then to be honest, that's where I would like to go."

Sparks is also very close with one of the current Texas Tech commitments in the 2017 class.

"Jalen (Reagor) and I aren't really blood cousins, but we grew up together and call each other cousins," Sparks said. "He was supposed to visit with us this weekend, but he has a track meet. I know he really likes Texas Tech and the way Coach Kingsbury is running the offense.

"He told me to jump on board and make things happen with him if the coaches offer me. I have never been out there to Lubbock before. I'm just trying to see as much as I can, have a good time, and enjoy myself.

The 6-foot-1, 160-pound prospect currently holds two offers from Arkansas State and Texas State with several other programs beginning to show interest.

"TCU, Texas, SMU, and Texas Tech are the in-state schools showing the most interest right now," Sparks said. "I have the visit to Tech this weekend, then I'm visiting SMU on March 19th, Texas State on March 26th, and I recently talked with the Texas coaches about visiting for their spring game on April 16th.

"Other than that, I'm all setup for the Rivals Camp in Dallas and I'm working on setting up the Nike Regional camp as well. Later this spring, I would like to attend camps with Texas, SMU, Texas Tech, Houston, and Oklahoma or Oklahoma State."

Currently an unrated prospect, Sparks will compete at the Rivals Camp in Cedar Hill on March 19th. He also runs the 4x1, the 4x4, and the open 100m for the Wilmer-Hutchins varsity track team.