Head Coach Chris Beard has done it again, landing a highly sought after grad transfer from SFA, TJ Holyfield. Recently visiting Texas Tech, Kansas, and Illinois, Holyfield decided to shut his recruitment down and commit to the Red Raiders.
After Rivals recently updated their 2019 class recruiting rankings, Texas Tech now sits at the No. 12 ranked class in the nation.
HOW HE FITS
Holyfield is a 6-foot-8 forward. With Texas Tech losing graduating seniors Norense Odiase and Tariq Owens, there's a clear need and fit for Holyfield to come in and play big minutes in the front court.
Holyfield is not your traditional big. He is mobile and can shoot it too, as he has made 64 3-pointers in his career.
Where he also excels is defensively. Holyfield is that rare player that in his last season averaged more than 1 steal and more than 1 block per game as well. Well rounded big men like Holyfield are a rare commodity in college basketball.
Another fit is Holyfield hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque is about 300 miles from Lubbock, TX so it's a geographical fit as well.
BIG GAME PLAYER
Some players rise to the occasion in big games and TJ is certainly one of them.
In a non-conference showdown vs Mississippi State, TJ went for 19 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Later in the season against Missouri, Holyfield dropped 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while shooting 7/11 from the field.
In SFA's Southland Conference Tournament, Holyfield had back to back double-doubles to help his team win that championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
That NCAA Tournament game was, of course, against Texas Tech in Dallas. Holyfield had a solid game vs the Red Raiders and he was a team leader for a Lumberjacks team that gave TTU all sorts of fits that night. He was one of four 'Jacks in double figures, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds and an assist while shooting 50% from the field.
HIGHLIGHTS
Well...yeah.
ROSTER UPDATE
After Malik Ondigo announced his intention to transfer, this is where Tech currently sits...
G Davide Moretti
G Kyler Edwards
G Clarence Nadolny
G Jahmius Ramsey
G Kevin McCullar
G/F Terrence Shannon Jr
F Deshawn Corprew
F Kahlid Thomas
F TJ Holyfield
F Andrei Savrasov
F/C Joshua Mballa
C Russel Tchewa
