Texas Tech didn’t wait long to make its move on Austin Choate.
During a camp in Lubbock, the Red Raiders offered the 6-foot-5, 217-pound tight end from Tomball, Texas before the workout was even finished. Choate is in the Class of 2030, which makes the timing unusual on paper, but the performance clearly changed minds in a hurry.
Choate said the camp itself left a strong impression, starting with the coaching and the setup around him.
"First off, it was a great camp," Choate said. "Loved the coaches and the facilities.
Coach Cochran provided great instruction that was easy for me to take in and put to work. Coach McGuire came up to me before the second round of 1-on-1s and said Austin, we are going to give you an offer.
You deserve it. You are having an amazing camp.
"It was over the top and pushed me to another level the rest of the camp."
He later spoke with more Texas Tech staff members after the workout and said the conversations continued to build the connection.
"After the camp Coach Cochran took time with me and we discussed the offer, the camp, told me to keep working and he looks forward to seeing me grow in the game over the next couple of years. I left with a great respect for coach Cochran and look forward to growing the relationship with Texas Tech. I also had great conversations with Coach Johnson and Coach Gault.
The facilities also made a major impression on Choate, who said his first visit to Texas Tech felt bigger than he expected.
"That was my first time at Tech. The facilities were lit," Choate said.
"I knew it was gonna be nice, but this was next‑level. Everything looked brand new, the locker room was glowing, the weight room was huge, and the recovery stuff looked like something out of a movie.
It didn't even feel real. It was over the top."
Texas Tech also asked him to describe what he brings on the field, and Choate didn’t shy away from the answer.
"I bring speed, energy and the dog mentality to the field," Choate said. "I am a coachable athlete that will work hard and be a playmaker you can count on."
The Red Raiders are not alone in showing early interest. Arizona, Houston, TCU, Texas and UTEP have also offered Choate, who said the camp capped off a meaningful stretch for him.
"The camp was a great way to finish my first collage camp season," Choate said. "Plus, it made for a great gift to give my dad on Father's Day.
My first round of collage camps has been challenging but very rewarding. I have been running with the juniors and seniors and holding my own. I have been blessed to earn offers from Texas, UH, TCU, Arizona, UTEP and wrapped up with the Texas Tech offer.
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