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Jack Tucker, Texas Tech commit
Jack Tucker talks commitment to Texas Tech and finishing high school at a "mini Power 5"
Growing up in the basketball-crazed state of Indiana, Jack Tucker had dreams of being a big-time college basketball star.
Moving to Texas changed all of that.
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive lineman out of Argyle High School lived out his dream, committing to Texas Tech today.
"I loved basketball for the longest time," he said. "My mom played in college and I was always the biggest guy on the court. During my freshman year, my coaches told me I had a future in football. I found out really quick that it was easier to gain weight, get to 300-pounds and play football than to grow to 6-foot-11 and play basketball. Being 6-foot-7 means two drastically different things in football than in basketball."
His "ah-ha" moment really hit during his sophomore year when college coaches were coming to campus to recruit teammate Preston Wilson, who now plays at Oklahoma State.
"Coaches who were coming to see Preston, noticed me," he said. "They started to invite me to their campuses for camps and visits. At that point, I knew that football was my future."
Tucker's recruitment took off over the past 12 months and it culminated with a commitment to the Red Raiders.
"Texas Tech has really recruited me hard since the beginning," he said. "I think it will be more fun being on the ground floor of something and seeing it grow, than being just a part of an established program. The culture fits me. It's country and just a beautiful campus."
Tucker still has unfinished business at Argyle, one of Texas' high school super-powers.
"Argyle is a mini-version of a Power 5 school," he said. "The facilities, the coaching and the fans are like playing for a college program. Our coaches go above and beyond."
"We are very unsatisfied with last season," he said. "I want our offense to be the best in the state. We have great talent in Tito Bryce and running back, Cole Kirkpatrick at receiver and new quarterback CJ Rogers."
When watching film, Tucker's favorite player is Taylor Lewan of the Tennessee Titans.
"He's made a career in football and also as a media personality," he said. "I love their offense because it is so 'ground and pound.' That's my style. I also like the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts' offenses too. And I can't forget about the Cowboys."
He will be working on his strength and technique over the break, while catching up on fishing.
"I have the time and I'm doing as much as I can at home to stay and shape and get stronger," he said.