Teams:
- Arizona
- Arizona State
- Baylor
- BYU
- Cincinnati
- Colorado
- Houston
- Iowa State
- Kansas
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma State
- TCU
- Texas Tech – At bat
- UCF – On deck
- Utah – In the hole
- West Virginia
Portal Team Rankings:
- On3: Big 12 1st | National 4th
- 24/7 Sports: Big 12 1st | National 6th
- The Athletic: A
Via AI:
- Mateen Ibirogba (DT): Transfer from Wake Forest; one of the highest-rated defensive tackles in the national transfer portal.
- Austin Romaine (LB): A standout transfer from Kansas State and a two-time All-Big 12 performer expected to anchor the middle of the defense.
- Trey White (Edge): A dynamic pass-rusher from San Diego State who brings elite pressure and sack numbers.
- Adam Trick (Edge): An athletic edge rusher from Miami (OH) who recorded one of the highest quarterback pressure rates in college football.
- Malcolm Simmons (WR): Former highly-touted Auburn receiver with big-play ability and massive upside.
Via The Athletic:
Top players added: QB Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), WR Malcolm Simmons (Auburn), iOL Jordan Church (Louisville), DL Mateen Ibirogba (Wake Forest), edge Adam Trick (Miami, Ohio)
The Red Raiders said goodbye to a dozen starters from last year’s Big 12 championship team, but none were lost to the portal. General manager James Blanchard followed up his stellar transfer haul in 2025 by signing nine starters from other FBS schools and seven other FBS players who played at least 200 snaps last season. Most importantly, the Red Raiders upgraded at quarterback and reloaded one of the best defenses in the country. The four receivers added via the portal each had at least 25 catches and 450 receiving yards last season. The eight new defensive linemen include Division II All-American Amarie Fleming, who produced 18 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks as a sophomore at Allen University in South Carolina.
The good news is, the Red Raiders weren’t incredibly strong at QB last year either, and it barely made a difference until their shutout loss to Oregon in the CFP. But with a new set of super-disruptive defenders, a nearly 2,000-yard running back duo and a super-seasoned offensive line, Tech still looks like a top-10 team at worst. The rest of the roster is so good that missing Sorsby might only make the difference in a couple of games.
A couple of games might still make an awfully big difference, though. Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich will now attempt to create magic with either Will Hammond (once he has fully returned from an October ACL tear, which might not happen by Week 1), Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis or a youngster in redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III or freshman Stephen Cannon. Francis will likely get the first crack at the job, with Hammond potentially taking over when cleared physically. Francis started 12 games over three years with Tulsa, throwing for 3,045 yards and 18 touchdowns, and lord knows his supporting cast will be better now. But if Hammond is able to build on the promise he showed last season, Tech might be fine. He was nearly perfect filling in for Behren Morton against Utah last September, and while he struggled in the loss to Arizona State, he almost saved the team with a strong fourth quarter.
There’s more at the link.
Team Recruiting Rankings:
- On3: Big 12 2nd | National 20th
- 24/7 Sports: Big 12 1st | National 18th
Via AI:
- Felix Ojo: A massive five-star offensive tackle from Mansfield Lake Ridge and the crown jewel of the class. He is one of the highest-rated recruits to ever commit to Texas Tech.
- LaDamion Guyton: A five-star EDGE rusher out of Savannah, Georgia, who brings elite speed and power to the Red Raiders’ defense.
- Chase Campbell: A highly rated five-star wide receiver out of Wolfforth Frenship.
- S’Vioarean Martin: A five-star cornerback from Palestine, Texas, known for his length and coverage skills.
- Matt Ludwig: A talented four-star tight end from Billings, Montana, adding a big physical target to the offense.
- Donovan Webb: A four-star safety from Frisco Panther Creek, highly regarded for his tackling and playmaking.
Big 12 Power Rankings
- ESPN’s Bill Connelly: 1st in the Big 12
- CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah: 2nd in the Big 12
- The Big Lead: 1st in the Big 12
- Desert News’ Brandon Judd: 1st in the Big 12
AI Projection: What is the outlook for Texas Tech Red Raiders football for 2026?
The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter 2026 as the reigning Big 12 champions and the clear preseason favorites to repeat. Despite a major offseason quarterback shake-up, head coach Joey McGuire’s squad boasts a strong roster, top-tier recruiting classes, and a path to the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Offense
Quarterback: The team suffered a massive offseason blow with the departure of highly touted transfer Brendan Sorsby. Will Hammond is expected to step up as the starter, provided he is fully recovered from ACL surgery.
Skill Positions: Running back Cameron Dickey returns after a dominant 1,100-yard, 14-touchdown campaign. Tight end Terrance Carter Jr. is heavily favored for the John Mackey Award, while former elite recruit Micah Hudson is primed for a breakout season at wide receiver.
Offensive Line: The unit shows massive promise with three returning starters, including tackles Howard Samson and Jacob Potton, and center Sheridan Wilson.
Defense
Reloading: The defense lost major talent to the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly on the defensive line and at linebacker.
Transfer Additions: To compensate, the coaching staff utilized the transfer portal heavily, bringing in impact pieces like Wake Forest’s Mateen Ibirogba and former Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine.
Expectations: While the 2026 defensive line may lack the elite top-end talent of last year’s historic unit, it brings much greater depth and versatility.
Outlook & Schedule
Conference Standing: Texas Tech is the consensus pick to win the conference again, with rivals like BYU and Utah posing the biggest threats in a wide-open Big 12.
Playoff Projections: The Red Raiders are widely projected to secure an automatic CFP bid as the Big 12 champion, with experts predicting them as a top-10 team nationally.