"He's had a lot of success, played at an early age. We knew that there was a chance that we may find ourselves in this situation with a limited number of quarterbacks. … In some ways, that this happened now is better than if it happened at the end of spring, so that we actually have an opportunity to fill one of those spots."<doc-sep>Provided by Texas Tech Athletics LUBBOCK, Texas – Matt Wells added five high school prospects and one junior college transfer to his first signing class on Wednesday, signifying an impressive haul in his first two months as Texas Tech’s head coach. Wells and his staff currently boast 17 signees to their initial class after 11 future Red Raiders signed their intentions with the university this past December. The February additions include defensive end Tony Bradford Jr. (Houston, Texas), punter Austin McNamara (Gilbert, Ariz.), place kicker Jonathan Garibay (Rubidoux, Calif.), defensive back Dadrion Taylor (Oklahoma City, Okla.), offensive lineman Cole Thomas (Seattle, Wash.) and defensive end Quinton Williams (Houston, Texas). “It’s always an exciting day when you add guys to your program that will help us take another step forward as well as what it means to each and every family,” Wells said. “All these kids want to be in Lubbock and help us take this program from good to great. We’re excited to coach the ones who want to be here.” Of the 17 signees, two are already on campus in offensive lineman Trevor Roberson (Wellington, Texas) and tight end Simon Gonzalez (Magnolia, Texas). Both inked with Tech during the early signing period and enrolled on campus in January. The remainder of the class will enroll at Tech this June. Wells will address the signing class during a special National Signing Day segment that will air later today on @TexasTechFB on Twitter. His National Signing Day press conference can also be found online at TexasTech.TV or on Texas Tech’s Apple TV or Roku apps. Tech fans can hear from Wells and his staff in person over the next few months as part of the Red Raider Club’s annual Texas Tech Tour. The tour resumes later tonight with a 5:30 p.m. event inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Other tour stops this month include Dallas on Feb. 13 and then San Antonio and Houston on Feb. 18. For additional details, please contact the Red Raider Club at 806-742-1196. TTU Signing Class for 2019 (Source: Texas Tech Athletics) TONY BRADFORD JR. DE | Houston, Texas | North Shore H.S. Attended North Shore High School in Houston, Texas … helped lead North Shore to the Class 6A Division-I state championship as a senior … team was also named the national champions by MaxPreps … state championship win came via a hail mary touchdown pass at the end of regulation … North Shore also advanced to the Class 6A Division I regional championship his junior season … named the Defensive Player of the Year at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s area high school awards banquet his senior year … only the second North Shore player in school history to receive the award … selected as the District 21-6A Defensive Player of the Year as well … was a first team All-District 21-6A honoree as a junior … three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … No. 54 ranked weakside defensive end in the 2019 class according to Rivals … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Arizona, Colorado State, East Carolina, Memphis, Purdue, Rice, Syracuse, Washington State JONATHAN GARIBAY PK | Rubidoux, Calif. | Rubidoux H.S./Riverside City College Will enroll at Texas Tech with two years of eligibility remaining after spending first two seasons at Riverside City College in California … helped lead the Tigers to an 11-1 record as a sophomore in 2018 with the lone loss coming in the Southern California Football Association (SCFA) regional championship game … named to the All-SCFA first team each of his two seasons … was 9-of-12 on field goal attempts as a sophomore and 46-of-50 on PATs … longest field goal came on a 47-yarder against Southwestern … also handled punting duties, averaging 40.1 yards per attempt … downed 26 of his 51 punts on the year inside the 20 and had 11 others fair caught … Riverside finished 10-2 his freshman season … finished 6-of-8 on field goal attempts in 2017 with his longest coming from 46 yards … was also 60-of-62 on PATs for 78 points … averaged 39.3 yards per punt over 48 attempts, 11 of which were downed inside the 20 … signed with Riverside City College after a successful prep career at Rubidoux High School … garnered All-CIF Division 10 honors as senior … was also the league’s Special Teams MVP as a senior in 2016 … earned All-League accolades his junior year in 2015 … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Texas State and Utah State. Bringing some Cali swag to the 8️⃣0️⃣6️⃣. He can kick it, too 🔥👟 Welcome home, Jonathan Garibay! 🔴#WreckEm | #19Guns⚫️ pic.twitter.com/6EbPn8C0kg — Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) February 6, 2019 AUSTIN MCNAMARA P | Gilbert, Ariz. | Highland H.S. Attended Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona … netted a 42.6 yard punting average during his senior year … also drilled 12 field goals, including a 45-yarder … was a perfect 63-of-63 on extra point attempts in 2018 … earned first team All-State honors following his senior campaign … three-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN … rated as the top punter in the 2019 class by 247Sports … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Arizona, Arizona State, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah State Bringing the top boot in the country to the 8️⃣0️⃣6️⃣. Welcome home, Austin McNamara! 🔴#WreckEm | #19Guns⚫️ pic.twitter.com/Tsu9FbofvH — Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) February 6, 2019 DADRION TAYLOR DB | Oklahoma City, Okla. | Carl Albert H.S. Attended Carl Albert High School in Oklahoma City, Okla. … was a standout running back for the Titans but will move to the secondary at the collegiate level … named the Oklahoma 5A Player of the Year following his senior season … also an All-State selection at running back … named the Big All-City Offensive Player of the Year by The Oklahoman … compiled 1,365 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns over the 2018 season … strong season helped push Carl Albert to its third-straight Class 5A state championship … produced a solid junior campaign as well with 1,977 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 215 carries … earned All-City and All-Conference honors … finished his high school career with 4,611 rushing yards on the ground … a three star prospect by 247Sports … listed as the No. 28 recruit in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Air Force, Army, Utah State COLE THOMAS OL | Seattle, Wash. | Bishop Blanchet H.S. Attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle, Wash. … played on both the offensive and defensive line during his prep career … named to the All-Metro League Mountain Division second team as an offensive tackle his senior year … was an honorable mention pick as a defensive tackle that year as well … earned first team All-Metro League honors as a junior … three-star prospect according to 247Sports and ESPN … listed among the top 100 recruits in the state of Washington by the Seattle Times … ranked as the No. 33 player in the state of Washington by 247Sports … father was a football student-athlete at the University of Washington … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Utah State, Washington The big man from Seattle is coming to Lubbock Welcome home, Cole Thomas! 🔴#WreckEm | #19Guns⚫️ pic.twitter.com/1ZjvfSVhau — Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) February 6, 2019 QUINTON WILLIAMS DE | Houston, Texas | Clear Lake H.S. Attended Clear Lake High School in Houston, Texas … two-way player as a defensive end/linebacker on defense and a wide receiver on offense … recorded 58 total tackles and seven tackles for loss during the 2018 season … named to the District 24-6A second team as a senior after helping lead Clear Lake to the Class 6A Division II area round ... also recorded two receiving touchdowns and 160 yards on offense … rated a two-star prospect by 247Sports … three sport athlete as a member of the school’s basketball and track and field programs … CHOSE TEXAS TECH OVER: Arkansas State, Massachusetts<doc-sep>Share on your favorite social network: Virginia Tech signed 19 players on their December 19 Signing Day, and they hope to add a few more on the February 2019 Signing Day on Wednesday the 6th. Here’s a rundown of what to look for: OL Doug Nester – The 4-star offensive lineman from Huntington, WV, who has been committed to Ohio State since August of 2017, will hold a Signing Day ceremony at 5 PM. With the retirement of Urban Meyer, Nester is a candidate to flip his commitment and is considering Virginia Tech and Penn State. — Signed with Virginia Tech LB Eugene Asante – The 4-star linebacker from Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA has seen his recruitment blow up in the late stages and is ranked the No. 8 player in the state by 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He will announce his choice between Virginia Tech, UNC, Maryland, and Nebraska at 6 PM. — Signed with North Carolina Virginia Tech commitments Jaden Cunningham and Knox Kadum are expected to sign with the Hokies. Follow the February 2019 Signing Day Action We’ll follow those four recruits and any other action on our 2019 Signing Day Ticker. This is the same ticker we installed for the Dec. 19 signing day, and we’ll continue to move recruits from the Verbal table at the bottom to the Signee table at the top, plus add any Signing Day decisions to the Signee table. As always, follow the action on Twitter at: And follow the discussion on our Football Message Board and TSL Pass Recruiting Message Board. As we enter the second signing period, Virginia Tech is ranked No. 29 in the 247Sports 2019 Composite rankings, and No. 27 in the Rivals.com team rankings.<doc-sep>
National signing day is here, and for many athletes Wednesday marks the first step toward their dreams of suiting out for their respective universities. In his first year at the helm, Texas Tech coach Matt Wells is finalizing a class of 16 fresh faces to join the program. Head of the class : Gilbert Ibeneme, DE A three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Pearland's Ibeneme is a player to watch out for. On film, the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive lineman displayed good handwork, an ability to track down the ball and doesn't give up on a play. Ibeneme can help fortify a Texas Tech defense that gave up roughly five yards a play last season. Diamond in the rough : Austin McNamara, P A three-star athlete out of Gilbert, Ariz., McNamara could help out in the special teams department. According to his Hudl film, the 6-4, 165-pound punter averages 42.6 yards a kick -- with his longest being a 60-yarder. Immediate-impact players : Alex Hogan, CB; Travis Koontz, TE The 5-11, 165-pound Hogan adds depth in the secondary. On film, the 6-5, 250-pound Koontz displays a solid set of hands, speed and an ability to block, making him an asset on offense. Biggest need met : Defense As they say, defenses win championships. Tech currently has seven defensive players that have, or are listed, to sign, which could be the most impactful need met. Biggest need not addressed : Secondary While the defense was addressed as a whole, the secondary could have used a few more players to sign on. The Red Raiders return two solid defensive backs in Damarcus Fields and Adrian Fyre but lack depth. Tech had several defensive backs decommit, but retained Hogan and athlete Dadrion Taylor (5-11, 170) is expected to line up in the secondary. Class grade: C-plus The Red Raiders added some potentially strong prospects on defense, especially on the defensive line. As far as the special teams unit, which often goes unrecognized, is concerned -- Tech made it a priority to go after who it believes will make a difference come the 2019 season. With that being said, I still believe that the class will have to prove itself on the gridiron to help the team climb from being the 10th ranked team in the Big 12, according to 247Sports. RELATED: See the full list of Tech signees here