ESPN’s Bill Connelly has his “ifs” list, best described as “ifs” in order to become a champion. Texas Tech has 3, including quarterback, receivers, and the defensive line. I’ll make you click on over to read about the quarterback and defensive line, here’s the bit about the receivers:

If … the portal delivered a receiving corps. The Tech run game should be dynamite, but last season’s top two pass targets are gone, and only one returning wideout topped 115 yards. The transfer quartet of Kenny Johnson (Pitt), Donte Lee Jr. (Liberty), Malcolm Simmons (Auburn) and Jalen Jones (Alabama State) needs to produce. I bet that it will.

CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford with portal heavy teams that could be part of the CFP race:

The Red Raiders are ready for their redo. After winning the Big 12 last season only to get blanked by Oregon in the CFP, Texas Tech has proved last offseason wasn’t a one-year spending spree. The Red Raiders doubled down in 2026, assembling another elite transfer class that rivals the haul that made national headlines a year ago. If there were questions about whether Joey McGuire could sustain that aggressive roster-building model, they were answered quickly. Much of the credit belongs to billionaire booster Cody Campbell, whose commitment to Texas Tech’s football future has helped transform the Red Raiders into one of the portal’s biggest players.

This isn’t about winning the offseason anymore — it’s about building a roster capable of leading the Big 12 and essentially assuring a playoff appearance. Texas Tech addressed premium positions along the defensive front with proven veterans, upgraded its depth across the board and continues to recruit (and spend) like a program expecting to play meaningful games in December. The Red Raiders aren’t dabbling in the portal. They’ve made it their greatest competitive advantage, and the rest of the Big 12 is struggling to compete.

The Athletic has their quarterback tiers. Tier 1 is the best, Tier 2 are close the the elite group, Tier 3 do not check all of the elite group traits, Tier 4 are inexperienced or veterans looking to rebound, Tier 5 is Group of 6 and 1st time Power 4 starters, and Tier 6 are blue-chips with new opportunities.

Tier 1
6. Oklahoma State – Drew Mestemaker
Tier 2
10. Arizona – Noah Fifita
Tier 3
22. Utah – Devon Campier
28. Houston Conner Weigman
30. BYU – Bear Bachmeier
Tier 4
35. Texas Tech – Will Hammond
37. Kansas State – Avery Johnson
38. TCU – Jaden Craig
40. Arizona State – Cutter Boley
42. Baylor – DJ Lagway
43. UCF Alonza Barnett III
49. Colorado – Julian Lewis
50. Iowa state – Jaylen Raynor
Tier 6
72. West Virginia – Michael Hawkins, Jr.
79. Cincinnati – JC French IV
Tier 7
108. Kansas – Cole Ballard