Texas Tech enters the 2026 season with a preseason ranking of No. 12 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and is projected to defend its Big 12 title.
A deep and experienced lineup
The Red Raiders boast 13 returning starters and have added 21 players through the transfer portal, a combination that lessens the pressure on fresh arrivals while reinforcing overall depth.
Ranked No. 15 in the 247Sports composite index, the 2026 freshman class brings a mix of size, speed, and versatility that could reshape the team’s dynamics.
Spotlight on the newcomers
Edge defender LaDamion Guyton arrives as a consensus top-30 recruit, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, and he reclassified to join the Red Raiders this year after a standout prep career in Savannah, Georgia.
Chase Campbell, a 6-foot, 200-pound lineman, missed spring workouts because of shoulder surgery but is expected to be fully ready for the upcoming season, adding depth at a position where sophomore Tristian Gentry will also compete.
Offensive tackle Felix Ojo, a 6-foot-6, 295-pound prospect from Mansfield Lake Ridge in Texas, is viewed as a future anchor for the line, bringing both physical presence and high-level experience.
Linebacker Cord Nolan, a 6-foot, 220-pound all-state defensive player of the year from Oklahoma, will contribute to coverage units and benefits from the NCAA’s 5-for-5 eligibility rule, which grants him an extra season of competition.
Safety Maddox Quiller, who recorded 74 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his previous campaign, has already drawn early praise during practice for his ball-hawking instincts and hard-hitting style.
Head coach Joey McGuire has emphasized that the team’s depth, bolstered by both transfers and the incoming class, will allow the freshmen to see significant snaps on special teams and in key defensive and offensive roles.
Practice will resume on Monday, August 10, marking the fifth session of fall camp as the squad fine-tunes its preparations for the upcoming battle.