Texas Tech legacy Jake Kirkpatrick chooses to stay home
Texas Tech added another piece to their secondary this afternoon in the form of another walk-on commitment.
Lubbock (TX) Cooper defensive back Jake Kirkpatrick decided to be a third-generation Red Raider and pulled the trigger shortly after visiting the campus.
"After the visit I went on today, just showing the family and commodore of the team and the whole facilities, just the vibe that I got in me made me make the decision."
Kirkpatrick also gave insight on what he did during his visit.
"We showed up, got there and went through the whole facilities. I met the training staff, they look great all the equipment looks awesome. I went to the weight room, saw how crazy that was all the new equipment they have and showed me the nutrition bar, all the benefits of just being a Red Raider. I also went to the locker room, there was the photo shoot; also hung out with the coaches, talked a little bit of football, watched film so it was a good time."
The six-foot, 190 pound prospect mentioned he is excited about playing for the program his father and grandfather were a part of and overall just having the opportunity to continue playing football.
"I think it's great getting a chance to play the sport I love. It's just a blessing from God and I appreciate everybody just supporting me: my friends, my family, my friends my coaches. Honestly it wasn't a big factor being a third-generation. I always thought it would be cool when I was little, but my family supports me in my decisions and it ended up that I chose Tech and am going to be a third-generation player so I guess it ended up pretty cool."
Since receiving a preferred walk-on offer, Kirkpatrick mentioned he has continued to be in contact with new defensive backs coaches Clay Jennings and Brett Dewhurst.
"I've talked a lot with coach Jennings and coach Dewhurst who will be my position coaches. We've talked about how they run the defense, terminology, coverages, split-field coverage, how they work with different offenses, how practice works, how the week schedule is and they just seem like a good fit for me."
As an individual, Kirkpatrck is looking to compete and earn his place on the team coming in as a walk-on with a chip on his shoulder.
"I'm looking to be a fierce competitor, work my way onto the field like I've always had to do. I've always been a little underrated, everybody's said I've always been a little too short and maybe not fast enough but now that I have my opportunity to prove everybody wrong, I'm going to take my shot and show what I have."
As far as his immediate plans for beginning his career as a Red Raider, Kirkpatrick plans to arrive soon and start getting to work.
"The plan is to, as soon as I graduate high school, move in to Tech and take a couple summer classes and start working on getting ready with the team."
Kirkpatrick is also anxious about getting to play alongside a former walk-on in the secondary who has helped him through the recruiting process.
"Probably the most familiar person I've talked to is Justus Parker just through Twitter and text. I've been keeping in touch with him and asking questions about the recruiting process. He's been a pretty big help."
Kirkpatrick chose the Red Raiders over preferred walk-on offers from Incarnate Word and Southern Miss.