Philip

Blidi

Bell was an intriguing receiving tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Patriots also waived RB Micah Bernard, DT Philip Blidi, DB Isaiah Bolden, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Phil Lutz, LB R.J. Moten, CB Jordan Polk, OG Tyrese Robinson, OG Sidy Sow, RB Shane Watts and QB Ben Wooldridge and released DT Kyle Peko, LB Monty Rice

The Red Raiders actually received a verbal commitment from Blidi back in August and looked to be trucking along toward signing the Portales, New Mexico, native without issue. The apparatus began to wobble late, though, with the 6-foot-3, 245-pound end decommitting from Texas Tech on Monday. Such late decommitments often spell doom for the given program, but Blidi ultimately opted to loop back around to the Red Raiders after giving it some thought, throwing in over fellow finalist Kansas. A few nervous moments there for HC Matt Wells, we’re sure, but all is well that ends well, right? The 247Sports composite board ranks Blidi as the No. 2 prospect in the state of New Mexico for the 2020 cycle.

Blidi (6'3/245) announced his decision Friday evening, picking Texas Tech less than two months after he received an offer from the program. The three-star defensive end from Portales, New Mexico (Portales HS) performed well at Texas Tech’s camp in mid-June, and as a result he headed back home with his first offer from a Power 5 conference program. New Mexico, New Mexico State and SMU also offered Blidi during the recruiting process. Texas Tech is up to 15 commitments in the 2020 class, with three being defensive ends.