On the Diamond

Double-T’s 97.3’s Jamie Lent considers what happens after the end of the baseball portal. Here’s a portion:

-Sticking with the draft, I think there are a few guys that could be drafted but still could chose to come back to the Red Raiders. These players could be major impact players if they return to Texas Tech. The first is Kyeler Thompson. The center fielder hit .358 for Tech in 2026 and was really good in the OF as well. He has 55 stolen bases in two years as a Red Raider and has been a very good leadoff man. Thompson would be a great veteran to have back. The second player is LHP Carson Bailey who the Red Raiders signed last month from McClennan CC. Bailey is a projected 2nd to 4th round pick but could play himself into much bigger 1st round money with a good year at Texas Tech. He would likely step in as the team’s Friday night guy, which means keeping him on this roster would be massive. The 3rd player is incoming Freshman Ryan Barker. The Arizona native is another one that has a shot at getting drafted. However, the left-handed hitting infielder could figure into the Red Raiders starting line-up if he sticks with his commitment to Texas Tech.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese resets the softball roster after the portal madness. Here’s just the outfield with lots more at the link:

OUTFIELDERS — Kasidi Pickering, Moriah Polar, Zoe Bernard, Alana Johnson, Logan Halleman

Breakdown: There are about seven names that could occupy the outfield throughout the season, but Oklahoma transfer Kasidi Pickering and Purdue transfer Moriah Polar, who led the nation in batting average, seem like locks. Alana Johnson is set to return after missing most of last season with an injury. Logan Halleman and Zoe Bernard, a transfer from Michigan State, give Gerry Glasco options depending on lineups.

On the Gridiron

Latest version of What’s Next with Joey McGuire and Robert Giovannetti.

I neverrrrr intended for this to get so out of hand

Buy Me a Coffee Strava’s Staking The Plains Running Club PLEASE NOTE: Words that are in italics are quotes from a story or link.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams on 7 things you don’t see on Texas Tech’s newest depth chart. Here’s just 1 item:

Sophomore offensive guard Holton Hendrix suffered a torn knee ligament in April that will sideline him for the 2026 season. The timing was a tough blow for Hendrix, who was contending for a spot in the two-deep and getting ready to begin his third year in the program.

Elias Gillen subsequently moved from left tackle to guard, McGuire said, and got in about two weeks of work there in the spring. Gillen, a redshirt freshman from Rapid City, South Dakota, is now slotted as the second-team right guard.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Nathan Giese on the Texas Tech athletes who will benefit from the new 5-for-5 rule and there’s football, men’s basketball, and softball listed. Here’s football:

Eligible players: Tristian Gentry (4), Micah Hudson (3), Charles Anderson (3), J’Koby Williams (3), Cash Cleveland (3), Cameron Dickey (2), Brenden Jordan (2), Brice Pollock (2), Kenny Johnson (2), Austin Romaine (2),

Orlando Sentinel’s Matt Murschell on the big questions heading into the Big 12 Media Days:

Who is the frontrunner in the Big 12?
On the field, Texas Tech figured to be the frontrunner to repeat as conference champion for the first time since Oklahoma in 2019-20. However, the loss of Sorsby may have extended those odds heading into fall camp.

If the Red Raiders were to slip, BYU would be the next team up in many people’s eyes.

The Cougars, who finished as runner-ups to TTU last season, return 11 starters, including quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin.

Houston also figures to be in the mix. The Cougars return 11 starters, led by quarterback Conner Weigman, and all-conference standouts in wideout Amare Thomas and cornerback Will James.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams on the expanded role for J’Koby Williams:

Having studied other all-purpose players, Tech coaches plan to do more this coming season than just use Williams in his usual spot at running back. He’ll also operate some out of the slot. They’ve carved out a separate one-two on the depth chart for that purpose and given it a name.

“We’re going to use J’Koby in the backfield and at slot,” McGuire said last week. “The guy that will back him up — we call it the Joker position — will be Jalen Jones.”