Where Texas Tech football sits in recruiting rankings pre-signing day
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When it comes to how the Texas Tech football program goes about acquiring talent, the Red Raiders have gotten a disproportionate amount of attention for their work in the NCAA transfer portal. The experienced players the Red Raiders added after the 2024 season have played a major role in Texas Tech’s going 11-1 and advancing to the Big 12 championship game this weekend.
But Tech’s still serious about — and getting favorable reviews for — the success it’s having on the traditional high-school recruiting trail. The Red Raiders are poised to sign 20 high-school seniors when the early national signing period opens on Wednesday, Dec. 3. It’s a consensus top-20 class nationally, according to recruiting services, and the best collection in the Big 12.
Of the 20 pledges, Tech coach Joey McGuire said last week he expects 17 to join the team in January. Coaches are prohibited by NCAA rule from commenting on individual players by name.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to get these guys on campus,” McGuire said. “They’re excited. This will be the most we’ve had mid-year, and they’re really excited. (I’m) getting a lot of texts from different guys: ‘Man, can’t wait to be there.'”
Asked to assess the class’s key characteristics, McGuire said, “Speed, athleticism, and then — like we’ve always talked about — we’re really trying to recruit, whether it’s the portal or whether it’s high school, big people, and we’ve got some big people coming in.”
Where the Texas Tech football recruiting class for 2026 is ranked by recruiting services
∎ ESPN: No. 18 in the nation, No. 1 in the Big 12
∎ On3: No. 20 in the nation, No. 1 in the Big 12
∎ 247Sports composite index: No. 19 in the nation, No. 1 in the Big 12
Texas Tech football recruiting class for 2026
It’s a mostly balanced class. Tech has commitments from 12 players projected for defense and eight for offense. By position, the group includes four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen and six defensive backs. The Red Raiders also have pledges from two each among wide receivers and inside linebackers and one each at quarterback and running back.
The class’s overall rating is boosted by four recruits ranked among the top 200 nationally, including two in the top 15.
On the 247Sports composite national chart, Mansfield Lake Ridge offensive tackle Felix Ojo is No. 13, Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military edge defender LaDamion Guyton is No. 15, Frenship wide receiver Chase Campbell is No. 94, and Prosper offensive tackle Bryce Gilmore is No. 184.
In addition to Ojo, Gilmore and Campbell, Tech pledges rated among the state’s top 100 prospects are Mount Enterprise running back-linebacker Kaegan Ash, Palestine defensive back S’Vioarean Martin, Frisco Panther Creek defensive back Donovan Webb and Mount Pleasant defensive tackle Ayden Johnson.
Does Texas Tech football have any remaining targets for 2026?
No. Tech coach Joey McGuire said last week that he doesn’t expect any late additions to the class.
“We feel good about where we’re at,” McGuire said.
When is college football’s early national signing day?
It’s actually a three-day period that begins this year on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Though recruits can sign on Thursday and Friday this week, recent history indicates the vast majority will sign on Wednesday.
When is college football’s traditional signing day?
The first Wednesday in February. For recruits who want more time, the traditional signing day for this class is Feb. 4, 2026.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football recruiting rankings, latest info on 20256class
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