Tech intrigued with Pennsylvania OL
Texas Tech already has two offensive line commits for the 2017 class in Frisco (Texas) Rivals100 OL Jack Anderson and Round Rock (Texas) OL Tyler Castaneda, but they're hoping to add a few more prospects to the group in order to continue to build the foundation for the future of Lee Hays' unit.
Their search for players in the trenches isn't limited to Texas, either. Enter Newton (Penn.) Council Rock North lineman Pat Bartlett.
Coach Hays has looked at several prospects in Pennsylvania before, and Bartlett looks to be the next OL in his sights from the state. He's been hearing from both Coach Hays and offensive coordinator Eric Morris, but other schools look to be interested as well. Illinois has extended an offer already, and West Virginia, Penn State, Michigan State, Northwestern, and others are already very intrigued and in talks with the lineman.
WHAT'S NEXT?
There's an interesting story worth monitoring with Bartlett, too. While he's currently set to be a senior and 2017 prospect, there is some talk that he could reclassify and stay back an extra year, making him a 2018 prospect. Seeing as he just turned 16 recently, he's still very young for his class. That's something the Red Raiders love to see, and they'd be even more interested in the prospect should he decided to reclassify.
Whether he does or not, Bartlett is planning on taking a large number of trips this spring, including visits out to Miami, South Carolina, West Virginia, Penn State, Illinois, and Virginia Tech among others. The Texas Tech staff would love to have Bartlett take a visit out to Lubbock, something he'd certainly like to do if he can find time to do it.
IN HIS WORDS
On hearing from Texas Tech:
"I've talked to Coach Morris, the offensive coordinator and receivers coach, and Coach Hays," he said. "The coaches said I can fit basically anywhere on their O-line, and they like my aggression on the field, my footwork, and my size."
On possibly reclassifying as a 2018 prospect:
"Pretty much I just turned 16 recently, so my parents and some coaches want me to develop more," he said. "It would help tremendously with my recruiting, and I'll decide soon. They (Texas Tech) said they would be really excited if I did that."
On Texas Tech, the offense:
"I like them a lot. I know about the recruits they are trying to bring in, and I know about how they were able to get Jack Anderson," he said. "I'm a fan of (their offense). I like how they want to run the ball down peoples' throats and just be really physical up front."
OUR REACTION
Bartlett is certainly a prospect with a very interesting story, and it sounds like the Red Raiders are equally intrigued at the possibility of him reclassifying. He's already very physical, and he's young, so another year would do him a whole lot of good. We'll see where things go, but it's certainly a situation worth monitoring. -Will McKay