Whitehouse Receiver Dylan Cantrell Holds Steady, Signs With Texas Tech

WHITEHOUSE -- Whitehouse receiver Dylan Cantrell pledged to Tommy Tuberville and the Texas Tech Red Raiders last March, and remained committed despite a recent coaching change.

Cantrell (6-3, 205) officially signed his letter of intent with Texas Tech on Wednesday during a National Signing Day ceremony at the Whitehouse High School auditorium.

His decision comes roughly two months after former Texas Tech quarterback and Texas A&M offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was introduced as the head coach in Lubbock, replacing the departed Tuberville.

But all was put to rest when inside receivers coach Sonny Cumbie, who recruited Cantrell, was named the Red Raiders' new Co-offensive coordinator.

“After the coaching change, I didn’t wanna rush into anything but just see what happened," Cantrell said. "I was hoping Kingsbury got it because Coach Cumbie recruited me and we had a real strong relationship when Coach Tuberville was there. I knew that if Kingsbury got it, he’d get a job there because they’re real good friends. I waited it out and it worked out for the best.”

It was all a relief for Cantrell, who chose to get his commitment out of the way prior to his senior season.

“I didn’t really wanna go through the whole process," he said. "I just wanted to get that out of the way because I knew where I wanted to go and I knew that Tech was where I was supposed to be. I just wanted to get that out of the way so I could focus on my senior season without the recruiting process in the back of my mind.”

Former Whitehouse coach Randy McFarlin, who coached Cantrell the last three years, said the early commitment was key.

“It’s nice to know going into your senior year, to get that out of the way and it’s not a distraction," McFarlin said. "I think it’s great when you have the early commit. Then they had a coaching change, and luckily Dylan met with the new staff and liked them.”

Cantrell led a deep Whitehouse receiving corps with 66 catches for 1,396 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“I had a great time here and the coaches helped me out in many ways," Cantrell said of his time in Whitehouse. "The offense that we run, that really showed what I could do. If it wasn’t for them, I’d probably be going somewhere but that offense really got my stats up and that’s when colleges started really looking at me.”

Whitehouse 2013 signees

• Brannon Beaton, DE, Lamar
• Colby Campbell, DB, Lamar
• Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech
• Hunter Conn, OL, Lamar
• Matthew Gipson, LB, Howard Payne
• Keagan Smith, OL, Kilgore College
• McKenlee Smith, OL, Texas A&M-Commerce
• Will Thomas, DL, Hardin-Simmons