Picone excited about enrolling early
Mid-year Texas Tech signee, Mandeville (La.) outside linebacker Johnathan Picone, is one of four newcomers that will enroll in January and join the Red Raiders for spring football in a few months.
The 5.5 three-star prospect, who committed in June over offers from Texas, Arizona and several other programs, knew well before his senior year that he would graduate early and begin his college football career, long before any coaches pitched the idea to him.
"It was my choice," Picone said. "I told them before I ever committed that I was going to be a mid-year, before they ever offered me, I already knew I was going to be a mid-year. If I already know where I want to go, why not get there early and get started so I can be as good as I can be at the next level."
Two junior college receivers -- 5.7 three-star prospect Derrick Willies of Trinity Valley Community College and 5.5 three-star DeQuan Bowman of Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College -- plus 5.6 three-star quarterback Jett Duffey of Class 5A Division I state runner-up Mansfield Lake Ridge will also be in Lubbock in time for spring football, while Picone is the lone early enrollee on defense.
"I know we're going to be hitting a lot more than they typically have in the spring," Picone said. "That's one thing they've told me, that there will be a lot more contact this spring. More than anything I'm just going to try to enjoy it as much as I can and learn as much as I can to get ready for the fall."
Picone knew Tech was the place for him when the coaching staff put their faith in him as a linebacker, while they only had film of the 6-foot-1, 216-pounder playing defensive end at that time.
"I already know it's family and I already feel comfortable with it," Picone said.
Despite having developed relationships with a few coaches that are no longer at Texas Tech, the amount of coaching turnover since the end of Big 12 play hasn't affected Picone at all, nor will the incoming coaches, once hires are announced.
"I'm not even worried about that," Picone said. "I know they are going to choose the best guys for the job. I don't even care to be honest. Coach Gibbs and Coach Spavital, as long as they are there I still feel comfortable with the stability in them."
Picone and Duffey are schedule to room together this spring and the linebacker signee is looking forward to the two pushing each other to become the best they can be.
"He and I talk just about every day," Picone said. "I feel real comfortable he will be my teammate and my quarterback the next four years, if he doesn't blow up and declare for the NFL Draft early or something. I'm exciting he will be leading us and we will push each other so I'm excited about that as well."
Freshmen linebackers Dakota Allen and D'Vonta Hinton saw plenty of action this year for the scarlet and black and Picone is going in with the mindset that his number will be called in fall of 2016.
"That was pretty cool to me," Picone said of the freshmen linebackers playing time. "I feel with this coaching staff, they are just trying to make a change. If they have a freshman and a senior with the same ability, then they will start the freshman to get better for the years to come. There's not really time to sit and redshirt, they need players right away to turn this thing around and I'm excited to be a part of that."
While the Red Raiders found themselves on the less-impressive end of almost all defensive stat categories this season, Texas Tech found a way to beat Arkansas, Kansas State and Texas and Picone saw several positives he and the 2016 class plans to build on.
"I was really impressed with the offense this season, and believe it or not I was impressed with the ability to create turnovers on defense," Picone said. "They did give up a lot of big plays and I know it kind of became a broken record, giving up a lot of big plays. But, to be honest, I think they are just a few players away from being a great defense."
Picone, who logged more than 120 tackles and more than 10 sacks this season, plans to help Texas Tech add some hardware to its trophy case in the football training facility over the next few years.
"That's really why I'm coming here," Picone said. "If I'm not coming to compete for a Big 12 Championship and big-time bowl games, then I don't know why I'm coming here or why they'd want a football player if he's not coming to be part of the best."
"When we bring these guys in, the guys coach Gibbs and coach Spav have recruited, we are going to have a lot of success starting next year for the next few years to come."
Linebacker commit Brayden Stringer, offensive line commit Giovanni Pancotti plan to be in attendance, in addition to Picone, for next Tuesday's bowl game versus LSU.
"We had an SEC win this year and almost beat an undefeated TCU team," Picone said. "I'm actually going to the bowl game and I'm going to see them beat LSU, so I'm just really excited about all this team has to offer."