La Porte (Texas) 2017 outside linebacker Terrel Bernard received an

offer from Texas Tech in May, and his play this season has caught the attention

of other programs. SMU and Kansas extended offers in September, and now Texas

A&M and TCU have begun to recruit him. Bernard says that the Red Raiders and

Houston Cougars are recruiting him the hardest, but he is in no rush to make a

decision.WHAT'S NEXT?:

Bernard has tentatively made plans to take his first trip out to the South

Plains before Texas Tech's home finale on Nov. 14. He's also scheduled a visit

to TCU in a few weeks. Bernard does not have a list of top schools at the

moment. That decision will come after he's thoroughly looked into each school

and weighed his options.

At the moment, Benard's focus is solely on his team. La Porte is currently 7-1

with a chance to win a district title. There's a great possibility the Bulldogs,

which are always in the thick of things, could do some damage in the playoffs.

IN HIS WORDS:

"(I'm looking for) a good coaching staff that's going to care about me on and

off the field, first of all, and a defense that I feel like I can play in

quickly once I get there. Those are probably the two biggest things," said

Bernard. "Coach (Trey) Haverty is real energetic and high tempo. That's

something I really like so that's cool. Texas Tech definitely I feel like, not

in a cocky or arrogant way, but I feel like if I would go there I feel like I

could make a difference or help the defense a little bit. That's really some

that I like about the school."

OUR REACTION:

The recruiting process is speeding up each and every year, and taking a number

of visits is now commonplace for junior prospects such as Bernard. The

linebacker is clearly on Texas Tech's priority list to, seeing as he already has

an offer and has built a relationship with the Red Raiders. A visit before the

season is over could put Tech in great position. -- Will McKay