Texas Tech Football: Scouting 2018 DE Commit Jaylon Hutchings

The Texas Tech football team has doubled the size of the 2018 recruiting class this week. That includes 3-star defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings and here is a look at the newest Red Raider commit.

Kliff Kingsbury and the Texas Tech coaching staff is making up for lost time on the recruiting trail. After months without picking up a new commitment for 2018, the Red Raiders have received four commitments this week. The most recent to join the Texas Tech class is Forney, Texas defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings .

The 6-foot-1, 270-pound defender is a three-star prospect. He had offers from Connecticut, Kansas State, New Mexico, North Texas and SMU in addition to Tech.

The “Dallas Morning News” rates Hutchings as the No. 120 defensive tackle in the state and No. 251 overall player in Texas.

Last season, he amassed 47 tackles (11 for loss) and four sacks. Interestingly though, he also rushed for 719 yards and six scores so he appears to be an athletic big man.

Although it is rather light on defensive plays, Hutchings’ highlight video is entertaining. It is easy to see the physical traits that intrigue the Texas Tech coaches.

Defensively, he lines up at the one technique (over the center), the three technique (inside shoulder of the offensive guard) and the five technique (outside shoulder of the offensive guard). However, if he does not add a significant amount of weight by the time he arrives in Lubbock he will have to play strictly at defensive end (five technique or nine technique).

Hutchings has a great motor and finishes plays with intensity. He is dogged in his pursuit of the ball and does not give up on plays.

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When he is a ball carrier, he looks like former Oklahoma running back Smaje Perine. He is surprisingly fast and even took two carries in the video to the house from over thirty yards out.

While he will not be carrying the ball at Texas Tech, his offensive exploits in high school are revealing. Hutchings has nimble feet and an explosive first two or three steps, both being traits that could translate well at the next level.

He will have to develop some pass rush moves other than the bull rush that he primarily relies on in his video. At his size, he will not be able to overpower guards and tackles in the Big 12.

Texas Tech has been in search of dominant defensive linemen for as long as one cares to remember. There is no telling if Hutchings will be that type of player but his versatility and raw athleticism make him a player to keep an eye on.

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Texas Tech now has nine players committed for 2018 including five additions this week. Keep checking in with “Wreck ‘Em Red” as Kingsbury looks to stay hot on the recruiting trail.

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