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The Raiders are void of running back commitments and need two more offensive linemen. Shreveport (La.) Evangel center Tim Henderson (6-4, 315) and La Marque offensive tackle Jared Williams (6-6, 245) are two of the best linemen still on their board.

Henderson committed to Tech last summer, then backed off to look at other options and now is weighing Mississippi against the Raiders. He's visiting Ole Miss this weekend.

Williams is the type of lineman that's right up Tech's alley — a lanky tackle with the frame to reach 300 pounds, plus experience in a spread offense.

Williams' stock escalated rapidly playing for a 16-0 team that won the Class 4A Division II state championship. Southern Methodist, Missouri, Tennessee, Tech, Kansas and Minnesota made pitches to Williams, a half-brother of former Texas Longhorns defensive end Jermain Anderson.

Williams said he's narrowed his choices to SMU, Missouri, Tennessee and Tech, which he plans to visit in that order. Williams, speaking Saturday from Dallas, said each of the four has offered him a scholarship.

Tennessee took a look at La Marque quarterback Larry Kerlegan and instead noticed the tackle protecting his blind side, Williams.

"He does a great job in pass protection," La Marque coach Bryan Erwin said. "Probably his greatest asset is he can run. We pulled him outside and blocked corners, pulled him the other way and blocked linebackers. He's really, really athletic."

OK Williams was the OLM I was referring to the other day as a long term sleeper. He has completely flown under the radar of the recruiting services but he looks like an intriging prospect on paper. Rivals had an article talking about all the Division 1A prospects at LaMarque but had him incorrectly listed at 6-0-perhaps that's why they didn't do any follow-up. They called him a "late bloomer" who was looking at Tech, Minn., TCU, Texas and Clemson. He did attend the Nike Camp this summer and the results are listed in the Insiders. These should be accurate. Listed as 6-4.5, 253 5.07 -pretty darn impressive. But he only did 9 repetitions of 185 pounds in the bench press which needs improvement. To give you a point of reference-maybe not fair-but once of the top OLM in the state is Herman Johnson of Denton Ryan and he did 21 repetitions. Robert Conley, Williams' teammate, who is getting some looks did 26 repetitions. No reports on the Insiders but he is listed in their database as a 2 star. They have a blurb on him that says he is an undersized guard/center prospect(guess they mean strength and weight?). Has a nice frame to grow into. Redshirt year is necessary. He does bring mobility and athleticism to the table and should eventually bulk w/o compromising too much speed or quickness. He made 1st Team All-District at LaMarque and was listed there at 6-6(maybe he grew since the Nike combine?). Insiders said he was had interest in Tech and Houston. The more recent report from Lubbock about interest and offers is probably more accurate than the old reports on Rivals and the Insiders since they recently spoke with him.

<small>[ 01-11-2004, 09:10 AM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

There is an article in today's DMN about an offensive lineman who was offered by Kansas, called them to verbal, but when he did they told him the scholarship was gone. Evidently after their bowl game, they decided they needed to use their last four schollies on defense. He reports that SMU, La.-Monroe, and someone else is now in the running. We need to jump on this guy. If he's good enough for KU to offer, he's good enough for us.

I saw that, too. The player in question is Burleson OL Tyler Ribitzki (6-6, 280). The story said that if Kansas doesn't fill its remaining scholarships with defensive players, then they'd re-offer him. Seems to me that's not the kind of situation a player should go into. I don't know how good this guy is, but at 6-6, you'd think he could still get a lot bigger. Has anyone seen him play? Anyone know if we'll offer him?

Rivals finally did a story on TE-OLM Jared Williams of LaMarque-now they confirm he is 6-6, 245. Rivals lists offers from SMU, Tech and Missouri-none listed from Tennessee as mentioned in the Lubbock A-J article. He said he now lists SMU and Tech as tied for first and will likely decide soon between those two schools after he makes a mid-week visit to Tech(Wednesday-Friday). Interesting, that Rollman and Williams are making mid-week visits-has SMU ever done that-in Lubbock Wednesday Nite and Thursday Nites are the biggest party Nites of the week for the undergraduates so I guess it makes sense.

Just so I understand, is a mid week visit to Lubbock really the best way to recruit a kid? It isn't like Lubbock is a hotbed of activities on weekends and Lord knows it gets even less lively during the week.

What in the world are they going to show a kid to impress him? Maybe sit in during the exciting dynamics of the English phonics labs for immigrant students? Or listen to the breath-taking lecture in the History of West Texas Cattle Industry course?

Or maybe just watch the sunset across a wind blown plain. Help me understand.

You left out TT's #1 recruiting attraction...

Cow tipping!

well I think what happened to both Williams and Rollman is that they both made it to the State Championship games-so they couldn't possibly take their first visit until Jan 9-that's getting late because many schools might "fill-up" at a position. So they are cramming their visits in to make up for lost time. Obviously, you've never been to Lubbock on a Wednesday or Thursday Nite-Party-Time!

Afraid I have been to a Wed/Thursday night party in Lubbock. I guess that is my problem when one compares those Lubbock parties to a Dallas Monday/Tuesday party nights.

Thanks for the logical explanation involving playoffs and scheduled trips. That does make sense.

Both of those guys sound intriguing. Henderson has the size (I know nothing of his talent, having never heard of him) to play immediately, and Williams sounds like one of those guys who would need to spend a couple of years eating and lifting to grow into his frame -- a nice combination of (possible) immediate help and long-term promise. Maybe they're both worth going hard after?

How do they compare to Rollman and Ribitzky?

According to Insiders, Henderson announced that he is going to Ole Miss.

Damn. Time to turn up the heat on Williams, then!

we were NEVER in on Henderson anyway but now Williams may be Tech's No. 1 remaining prospect at OLM-and they still have 2 OLM slots availiable.

According to the DMN, Rowlett offensive lineman Cody Baker (6-4, 285) committed to the Lead, oops, I mean Red Raiders yesterday.

Maybe Tech will re-prioritize after getting Baker, and focus (for now, at least) on guys at other positions. Sounds like Williams has a great frame and good quickness.