Texas Tech Football: Top 12 Recruiting Commitments for 2011

After an 8-5 campaign in 2010, the Red Raider football program can finally look forward to the 2011 season.

It will be Coach Tommy Tuberville’s second season, distancing him from further from the Mike Leach era and moving one step closer to bringing in personnel recruited to fill his new schemes in Lubbock.

The Red Raiders 2011 commitment list is ranked a startling No. 15 nationally by Rivals.com which is third among Big 12 teams (Texas is No. 1 nationally and Oklahoma is No. 6).

Among its 21 total commitments, Tech has six athletes with a four-star ranking and 15 scoring three stars.

The 2011 class has to be considered the best (at least on paper) incoming football class in Texas Tech history. 

The following slideshow identifies the top 12 Red Raider recruiting commitments for the upcoming season.

1. Jace Amaro: Tight End

photo from Rivals.com

Amaro is a 6’5”, 237-pound four-star prospect from San Antonio, Macarthur. 

According to Rivals.com Amaro ranks No. 4 nationally among tight ends, No. 48 nationally overall and No. 6 overall in the state of Texas.

Amaro also received offers from Arkansas, Missouri and Texas A&M.

He runs the 40 in 4.51 seconds and committed to Tech in April 2010. 

According to a report by Scout.com, in late December Amaro was still set on joining the Red Raiders for the 2011 schedule.

2. Derek Edwards: Wide Receiver

Edwards is a 6’1”, 163-pound four-star prospect from Brenham High School in Brenham, Texas.

While not ranked nationally overall, Rivals.com has Edwards ranked No. 29 nationally among wide receivers and No. 40 overall in the state of Texas.

He also received offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Edwards is set to enroll early (this spring) at Texas Tech.

3. Terrell Hartsfield: Outside Linebacker

Hartsfield, 6’4”, 215 lbs, is a four-star prospect who graduated in December 2010 from the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia.

Hartsfield was recruited by Texas Tech defensive ends and outside linebackers Coach Robert Prunty, who previously served as the head coach at Hargrave.

He is scheduled to arrive in Lubbock in January 2011.

4. Marcus Kennard: Wide Receiver

photo from Rivals.com

Kennard is a 6’4”, 185-pound four-star prospect from Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.  

He is ranked No. 18 among Rivals.com junior college Top 50.

Kennard committed to Tech in mid-December and also received offers from Arkansas, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

5. Tony Morales: Offensive Lineman

Morales is a 6’4”, 300-pound four-star prospect from Sam Houston High School in Arlington Texas, where he played center.

Rivals.com ranks Morales No. 1 nationally among offensive centers, No. 26 among all players in Texas and No. 175 overall nationally.

Morales committed to Tech in March 2010 and also received offers from Oklahoma and Missouri.

6. Kenny Williams: Running Back

Williams, 5’10”, 206 lbs, is a four-star prospect from Henderson High School in Pflugerville, Texas. 

He runs the 40 in 4.48 seconds.

Rivals.com ranks Williams No. 17 among running backs nationally, No. 33 overall in Texas and No. 224 overall nationally.

Williams committed to Tech in March 2010 and also received offers from Illinois, Iowa, West Virginia and Texas A&M.

7. Michael Brewer: Quarterback

Brewer is a 6’1”, 175-pound three-star prospect from Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. 

He runs a 4.7 40 and is considered a dual threat quarterback.

Brewer is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 12 dual threat QB nationally and No. 43 overall in the state of Texas.

He was recruited by Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown and signed in March. 

Brewer was also offered a place by Auburn, Clemson and Texas.

8. James Castleman: Defensive Tackle

Castleman is a 6’4”, 255-pound three-star prospect from Amarillo High in Amarillo Texas. 

He runs a 4.8 40.

Rivals.com has ranked Castleman No. 34 nationally among defensive tackles and No. 48 overall in the state of Texas.

Castleman committed to Tech in April and also received offers from Missouri and Oklahoma State.

9. Le’Raven Clark: Offensive Tackle

Clark, 6’6”, 245 lbs, is a three-star prospect from Rockdale High School in Rockdale, Texas, were he currently holds a 3.1 GPA.

Rivals.com ranks No. 35 nationally among offensive tackles and No. 53 overall in the state of Texas.

Clark’s June commitment to Tech is considered “soft.” 

He has also received offers and shown some interest in Baylor, Missouri and TCU.

10. Bradley Marquez: Running Back

Marquez is a 5’11”, 173-pound three-star prospect from Odessa High in Odessa, Texas.

He runs a 4.5 40.

Rivals.com ranks Marquez No. 29 overall nationally among running backs and is ranked No. 50 overall in the state of Texas.

Marquez was recruited by Tech’s Sonny Cumbie and committed May 2010.

11. Alfredo Morales: Offensive Guard

Morales is a 6’3”, 287-pound three-star prospect from Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Texas.

Rivals.com rates Morales No. 18 among offensive guards nationally and No. 79 overall in the state of Texas.

Morales committed to Tech in June 2010.

12. DeAndre Washington: Athlete

Washington is a 5’9”, 183-pound three-star prospect from Fort Bend Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas.

Rivals.com ranks Washington No. 34 nationally among athletes and No. 64 overall in the state of Texas.

Though Washington committed to Tech in August 2010, he is scheduled to visit Oklahoma State on January 14, 2011.