Texas tidbits: Tech looks at quarterback options

In Mike Leach's offense, it's hard to find a more important position than the quarterback.

So it's not real surprising as the 2007 recruiting class starts to take shape for many schools, Texas Tech is heavily targeting signal callers around the country. Last year Greg McElroy, one of two commits at the time, made a late switch to Alabama. So even though there isn't a need for instant impact, Tech would still like to add more quarterbacks to the fold for their high-powered offense.

Several possibilities are out there. Only one, Brenham quarterback Jarrett Lee has a scholarship offer at this point. Despite getting offers from a slew of schools, the offensive scheme is very important to his decision and Tech fits the profile.

"We run more spread, a little like Texas Tech," Lee said. "We're kind of similar in that we have a quick passing game."

Lee's father, Steven Lee, also told Rivals.com that the offensive style will be a big factor on where his son plays ball. A visit is upcoming to see Texas Tech in May.

Another quarterback that could be entering the picture with an offer is Dallas gunslinger Brock Mansion. Mansion, whose father Hans Mansion is a former Red Raider, picked up his first offer from Baylor this week.

Despite heavy interest, he still hasn't pulled in one from his dad's school. A visit to campus this weekend could change that.

"I'm just going to go up there and visit with the coaches a little bit," Mansion said. "I haven't talked to Mike Leach in a while, so I figured I'd do that while I was up there too."

Mansion says that even if a Tech offer comes, he'd like to look around. LSU is another possible stop for a visit.

Other quarterbacks that have received interest from Tech include Allen's Nathan Dick and Austin Westlake's Nick Foles.

A&M spring game has visitors

Several top prospects were on hand for the annual Maroon and White game at Texas A&M this past weekend. The list includes some of the Lone Star state's fastest rising prospects such as Richetti Jones, Sam Proctor, Frank Avery, Quentin Castille, Von Miller, Jarrett Lee, Dante Pinchback, Desmond Jackson, and Nick Martinez.

Tight end Avery didn't commit, but says that he came close.

"I could see myself there," Avery said. "I told them I wasn't ready to commit yet. It's still early. I want to wait until after the spring."

Quarterback Lee has been to College Station before, but enjoyed his trip a lot as well. He got a chance to feel right in the middle of the action.

"I got to get in the huddle and listen to the play to see what's going on," Lee said. "I liked how they did things."

Though A&M has not offered Proctor, he gave the trip a "10." The trip for Rivasl00 defensive end Jones made things a lot harder for his decision.

"One day I like Texas, then the next day it's A&M, then it's Oklahoma," Jones said. "I like Texas but I don't have big time favorites."

Bears closing in on first commitments?

In-state targets such as cornerback Andre Richardson, Corsicana wide receiver Greg Stewart, and Brownsboro Lonnie Edwards are all very high on Baylor at this point in the recruiting process. After a few unofficial visits this past weekend, the first pledge could be days away.

Defensive back Richardson made it to the junior day in Waco this past weekend and came away impressed.

"It was more than I expected it to be," Richardson said. "The locker room, the whole coaching staff - basically the whole environment really stood out."

Richardson said he was close to a commitment but just wants to wait for his teammates to inch their way toward a decision.

Offensive lineman Edwards was another visitor who liked what he saw at Baylor. His relationship with the coaches was one thing that got even stronger.

"I got a little closer with the coaches, and talked about recruiting and how they need people," Edwards said. "I talked a little one-on-one with coach Guy Morriss. He was just telling me that he really wants me up there and all that."

Baylor has also gotten the attention of Arlington Seguin cornerback Jamell Fleming.

"Baylor, they're pretty good," Fleming said. "They were the first one to offer."

Commitments could be coming soon for the Bears with the way things are shaping up.

TCU starts fast

The first commitment of the 2007 class for the Horned Frogs came quickly from in-state running back Jamarion Cavness seemingly out of nowhere. The second seemed to come just as quickly from defensive back Chez Thomas.

Cavness, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back from Fort Bend Marshall had picked up offers from Indiana and Iowa State, but the TCU offer was the one he was waiting on. When it came, his decision was an easy one.

"I just felt at home with TCU," Cavness said. "They offered on Monday and I told them right then and there that I was ready to commit."

Arlington Kennedale safety Thomas was starting to pick up attention and had received his Horned Frogs offer earlier in March. It seemed that he was going to wait things out but decided that make an early decision was the best way to go.

"It just felt like the right move at the right time," Thomas said. "TCU is the team that really showed me a lot of interest and I respect that. I'm solid to TCU. I'm not looking anywhere else."

With the quickness of commitments, is No. 3 around the corner? Stay tuned.

Madu not back just yet

Many schools appeared close to offering Pflugerville, Texas safety Reggie Madu very early in the process. However, things didn't go as smoothly as the talented 6-foot-1, 195-pounder would have liked.

Madu told Rivals.com this past week that there were some "minor things that happened" which led to him having to fight his way back on the varsity team. Right now he says that things are changing and he's going to have to earn his way back.

"Coach just told me to stay on my grades and work hard," Madu said. "He's hasn't really been specific about if or when I can come back. So I've just got to prove to him and everybody that things have changed."

Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Iowa, LSU, Texas Tech, and others continue to show him recruiting interest. He's thinking about trips to A&M and OSU in the near future.

Etc.

Tray Allen will be announcing his decision at his school Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET and the audio webcast will be on RivalsRadio. Allen says that Texas is his current leader. Though Richetti Jones and Allen were planning on announcing together, the talented offensive guard says he wants to get his decision out of the way...last time he spoke with Richetti, the defensive end said he wasn't ready to decide without a few more visits.