Relationship with Foster key in Hackett's pledge to Texas Tech

RELATED: What Hackett's pledge means for Texas Tech's offense

Rivals100 running back Stanley Hackett announced his commitment to Texas Tech on Thursday.

The 6-foot-3, 193-pound prospect cited his relationship with Red Raider running backs coach DeShaun Foster, his lead recruiter, as a big factor in his decision.

"Coach Foster and I are close," Hackett said. "We talk a lot, much more than the other coaches recruiting me. He makes me feel like I'm already part of their family, even before I received the offer from Texas Tech.

"We actually started talking a little bit last year, and coach Foster told me that he first noticed me while he was still at UCLA. He would always tell me that I was his No. 1 target. I remember that I had just left a Houston camp and he just told me that, 'You are my No. 1 guy at running back.' The next week, I got the offer from Texas Tech."

Given that Hackett won't sign his National Letter of Intent for 18 months, why did he decide to announce his commitment now?

"Coach Foster just made me feel very comfortable," Hackett said. "It's really my relationship and comfort level with him. He believed in me first, and that means a lot. It's first come, first serve, and that is kind of the way I feel about it. I truly believe that coach Foster can get me to the next level, he knows the game and I feel very comfortable with him."

The Pasadena (Texas) Sam Rayburn standout acknowledged that his decision to make an early commitment took everyone - from his grandmother to Foster - by surprise.

"I surprised a lot of people, I was talking with my grandma and told her that I wanted to commit," Hackett said. "It felt right and I always wanted to stay here in Texas, somewhat close to home. I followed my instincts and called coach Foster.

"We started talking and I told him that I was ready to make my commitment. He said that he was excited, but tried to act like he wasn't too excited (laughs). Coach played it off, told me that I was always his No. 1 target."

Hackett's size makes him a unique running back prospect for the Red Raiders as the program has typically featured smaller players at the position. He should provide a rarely-seen element to the program's Air Raid offense once he arrives on campus.

"Coach Foster likes my size," Hackett said. "I'm big, but I have speed and power. I hit like an even bigger back, too. I'm still growing and hope to get around 225 pounds before I graduate.

"Texas Tech just had their running back drafted by the Oakland Raiders. They love to run the ball and have had success on the ground. Coach Foster and I haven't really talked specifically about my role or how he would use me though.

"The biggest deal is that he knows the position, knows the college and professional game. He played in the Super Bowl, played on two NFL teams, and definitely knows what he is doing. I'm excited to play for a coach like that."

Ranked as the No. 93 overall prospect in the Rivals100 national rankings, Hackett finished with 997 yards and seven touchdowns rushing in 2015.