Versatile East Texas D-Lineman Braylon Rigsby commits to Texas Tech

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and head coach Joey McGuire have been red hot on the recruiting trail this offseason.

McGuire and Texas Tech secured another big Class of 2023 commitment Tuesday afternoon to buttress one of the country’s strongest FBS recruiting classes.

Woodville defensive lineman Braylon Rigsby, a versatile front-line defender and one of the pound-for-pound strongest D- or O-linemen in East Texas high school football, verbally committed to the Red Raiders.

“I want to thank everyone who got me to where I am today,” he wrote in a Twitter announcement. “After a great deal of time and talking it out with family and coaches, I have decided to (take) my talents to Texas Tech.”

Rigsby is considered a three-star D-line recruit. He’s tabbed by 247 Sports as the 101st-ranked Texas high school football prospect in the Class of 2023 and one of the country’s top 70 senior defensive line recruits.

The Eagles’ senior D-line standout made his pledge to the Red Raiders after receiving his first Big 12 offer while visiting Lubbock last weekend.

“We were in Coach McGuire’s office,” Rigsby told SBLive Texas. “I was pretty excited to be offered by one of the best schools in Texas.”

Rigsby — who had also drawn offers from Abilene Christian, Lamar, Louisiana Lafayette, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and Washington State during the offseason — jumped at the chance to join a Red Raiders’ program that has flourished recently on the recruiting trail.

The pledge from Woodville’s senior defensive star upfront marks McGuire’s 14th verbal commit of the last six months and adds a 19th-member to Texas Tech’s 2023 recruiting class, which ranks 8th nationally at the end of June according to 247 Sports.

Rigsby will join a talented group of incoming ‘23 defensive linemen in the Red Raiders’ deep recruiting class that includes three-star Manor D-lineman Jayden Cofield, four-star Post defensive end Isaiah Crawford and three-star Little Cypress-Mauriceville D-lineman Amier Washington.

“The school (impressed me) as a whole,” he said. “Man, (Texas Tech’s coaches) are so nice and welcoming. When I left, it felt like I’ve known those guys forever.”

Rigsby, a two-way starter who should take reps at multiple positions on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2022, was named the District 10-3A DI Defensive Lineman of the Year after a 2021 campaign in which he led Woodville to a 7-4 record.

He tallied 61 tackles, 15 TFL and three sacks during a dynamic junior season and helped lead the Eagles to an area-round appearance in the Class 3A Division I Texas high school football playoffs.

Rigsby has developed a reputation as a versatile front-seven defender and one of the strongest linemen throughout East Texas, but he has also made recent strides as a thrower on Woodville’s track and field team.

He posted new PRs during the spring track season in both discus (112 feet, 9.5 inches) and shot put (44’10”), advancing in the latter to the Region II-3A track and field meet.

“One hundred percent,” he said. “I’m gonna be everywhere on the line, including O-line

I’m gonna be playing both sides this year.”

Rigsby will be at the center of one of the state’s toughest defenses at the 3A level with seven additional starters returning alongside him on that side of the ball.

Woodville will feature multiple FBS-caliber prospects anchoring a strong unit at all three levels defensively led by Rigsby and senior safety Darius Bean, a ball-hawking DB who has already received offers from Houston Baptist and Northwestern State.

With several of the Eagles’ top front-seven defenders back at outside linebacker and along the defensive line, Rigsby will be looking to further establish himself as a dominant pass rusher while remaining an elite interior run stopper.

Woodville’s 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior D-line standout has focussed his offseason training and preseason preparation on improving his quickness and expanding upon the versatility that’s helped him stand out for the Eagles’ defense in the trenches.

“My hands and hips have gotten a lot better,” Rigsby said. “(I’ve been focussing on my) strength and speed. I got my 40 down by .2 seconds. I ran a 4.9 at the beginning (of the school year) and now I run about a 4.78.”

Rigsby and the Woodville Eagles will return to the gridiron to kick off the 2022 Texas high school football season against the Franklin Lions, reigning 3A DI state champions, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at Lion Stadium in Franklin.