Texas Tech First To Offer Bullard’s Major Tennison

The first offer is in for Bullard 2017 tight end Major Tennison, and it came from Texas Tech, the Panthers' prospect announced via Twitter on Monday evening.

Tennison (6-4, 220) is the third East Texan in the 2017 recruiting class to pick up a Division I FBS offer. All three -- Tennison, Center recevier Octavius Evans, and John Tyler receiver Damion Miller -- have offers from the Red Raiders.

Despite playing in only six of Bullard's 11 games in 2014, Tennison was among the team's top offensive contributors. He finished his sophomore season with 20 catches for 379 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Panthers reach the bi-district round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.

Tennison, also a basketball standout, should continue to pick up steam on the recruiting landscape in the coming months. His size and pass-catching ability at this stage of his high school career suggests a high ceiling.

Texas Tech, led by head coach Kliff Kingsbury, is no stranger to the East Texas area. The Red Raiders signed two regional recruits last month as part of its 2015 class -- Lufkin receiver KeKe Coutee and Longview defensive lineman Broderick Washington. Tech also added former Chapel HIll safety Joseph Clark after the East Texas native gray-shirted following the 2014 signing period after suffering a gruesome leg injury as a senior.

The Red Raiders also have several East Texans currently on its roster, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes (Whitehouse), receivers Dylan Cantrell (Whitehouse) and Reginald Davis (Tenaha), and linebacker Pete Robertson (Longview).

Last season was one of rebuilding for Texas Tech, which went 4-8 overall and 2-7 in Big 12 play in 2014.

Tennison and Bullard, which competes in District 5-4A Division II along with Canton, Emory Rains, defending state champion Gilmer, Nevada Community, and Quinlan Ford, will be a team to watch in 2015 after going 7-4 overall and 3-2 in league play last season.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Octavius Evans, WR, Center, 6-2, 180 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech (2)
• Damion Miller, WR, John Tyler, 6-2, 185 — offer from Texas Tech (1)
• Major Tennison, TE, Bullard, 6-4, 220 -- offer from Texas Tech (1)