As one of the crossroads of America, Chicago usually sees most college programs evaluating its top prospects during the course of the recruiting calendar. Texas Tech, however, has made only rare recruiting appearances in the Windy City, but they extended an offer to Marist defensive tackle Gavin McCabe earlier this week.

“I’m not exactly sure how that happened,” McCabe admitted. “I was looking through my Twitter followers and I saw the defensive line coach. So, I had sent him a quick direct message on Twitter. I wasn’t expecting a response right away because it is Texas Tech and they don’t really recruit the Chicago area, but I was surprised when he responded.”

That initial conversation, which took place earlier this year, led to the Red Raiders making a formal offer to McCabe on Monday.

“We have been talking for a month and a half now. Every once in awhile he’d give me a quick call and see how things were,” McCabe said. “We talked briefly about my thoughts of Texas Tech football and if I would ever consider going there. He showed my film to the head coach and the other coaches. I guess they all liked it because they offered me and that was a pretty cool offer to get.”

The interest has been reciprocated by McCabe and his answer to the question on Texas Tech football was that it was an honor to be considered by the Red Raiders.

“Going to a school like Texas Tech in a state like Texas where football is the big dog, that would be awesome and something I would definitely consider,” McCabe said. “As a Midwest guy, when you think of Texas football you think best of the best. That’s where all the colleges go to recruit. A big thing for me is they saw me and thought I was good enough to play for a school in Texas.

“The things I have seen and heard about Texas Tech it seems like it is a great university. It is a great football program, obviously, and they perform really well in the Big 12. If I had an opportunity to I definitely would love to take a visit.”

The most recent college visit McCabe took was two weeks ago when he and his parents drove down to see Arkansas.

“It’s SEC football and Arkansas football in Fayetteville is huge,” McCabe said. “Everything football there was state of the art. I was blown away walking into the facilities. Everything you want in a football program is there. I really enjoyed my visit there and my family loved it too.”

Arkansas and Texas Tech are two of more than two dozen offers for McCabe, who is not in a rush to make his college selection.