Texas Tech is riding high, now sitting at a perfect 6-0 after absolutely stomping Arizona State with a 28-point win, and guess who was on campus soaking it all in? None other than 2028 EDGE Jaylen Johnson from Mission (Kan.) Bishop Miege. This kid’s visit made it crystal clear: the Red Raiders are serious contenders in his recruitment.
The Red Raiders Rolled Out the Red Carpet (And the Wins)
Johnson didn’t hold back after his weekend trip. “Texas Tech is a great place, man,” he said, and you can just feel the excitement in that quote. He got the full VIP treatment, with a quick tour of the facilities and the campus itself. But it wasn’t just about the shiny stuff. He linked up with Coach Jac Smith, the outside linebackers coach, and that connection felt real. Johnson specifically mentioned Smith’s honesty and how he carried himself with his family, which is always a massive plus for a recruit.
The good vibes kept coming when Johnson met general manager James Blanchard. Johnson called Blanchard “super cordial” and flat out said he “loved everything about him as a person.” When you’re getting that kind of personal connection with multiple staff members, it speaks volumes about the program’s culture. You gotta love that kind of genuine welcome, right?
The 28-Point Statement That Sealed the Deal
As if the personal touch wasn’t enough, the Red Raiders put on a clinic on the field. Johnson got to see them absolutely dominate Arizona State, securing a 28-point win that pushed their record to an unblemished 6-0. Talk about timing! Seeing a team perform like that in person, especially when it’s described as a win in “dominating fashion,” definitely leaves an impression.
Johnson himself was hyped about it. “The game against Arizona State was also great because of their win in dominating fashion,” he noted. Watching your potential future team just crush it has to be a huge factor, showing off not just the coaching but the talent and execution on game day. It’s one thing to hear about a winning program, it’s another to see them go 6-0 in person.
What’s Next for Jaylen Johnson and the Competition
So, where does this leave things? Texas Tech is clearly in high consideration, no doubt about it. But they aren’t the only ones in the mix. Johnson has already made visits to Kansas and Kansas State, and he considers those in-state schools to be two other top contenders in his recruitment. The competition is fierce, and this visit just upped the ante.
His recruitment journey isn’t over yet, though. Johnson is set to visit Iowa State coming up, which means the Red Raiders’ strong impression will need to stick. Can they hold off the other schools and land this talented EDGE prospect? We’ll be watching to see how this recruitment plays out. Big stakes for Coach Smith and the whole Tech staff!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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