Joey McGuire, Texas Tech Predicted to Land All-American Safety in College Football Transfer Portal
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The Texas Tech Red Raiders are coming off one of the best seasons in the program’s history under head coach Joey McGuire.
Texas Tech finished 12-2 and won the Big 12 championship for the first time. The Red Raiders also made their inaugural appearance in the College Football Playoff. Their postseason journey was brief, as they lost 23-0 to the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals after receiving a bye.
Texas Tech was led by a strong defense that ranked No. 3 in total defense, No. 26 in passing yards allowed, No. 1 in rushing yards allowed and No. 3 in scoring defense. However, the team must replace several defensive players, as five starters were seniors this past season. This makes it critical for the Red Raiders to secure one of the top players in the transfer portal, former Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Koi Perich.
Perich had an incredible two seasons with Minnesota, totaling 128 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions. In 2024, as a freshman, Perich earned All-America honors, becoming the first Minnesota freshman to achieve this distinction since 1972, when the NCAA allowed freshmen to play college football. He led the Big Ten with five interceptions that season. According to On3’s prediction machine, Texas Tech has a 100% chance of landing the star safety.
If Texas Tech closes on Perich, it would mark another critical step in sustaining the program’s rapid rise under McGuire. The Red Raiders will face immediate roster turnover on a unit that carried them to a Big 12 title and a CFP berth. Adding a proven, high-impact safety would help stabilize the secondary while preserving the aggressive defensive identity that defined their 2025 season.
Perich’s résumé suggests he could step in as an instant leader. His All-America freshman season at Minnesota showcased both production and football IQ, traits that translate well to a Texas Tech defense built on discipline and gap control. His ability to impact the run game and generate turnovers would directly address the areas most affected by offseason departures.
Looking ahead, securing Perich would further signal that Texas Tech is no longer just a breakthrough story, but a program capable of reloading rather than rebuilding. With spring practice approaching and portal movement slowing, the Red Raiders appear poised to finalize another foundational piece as they prepare to defend their Big 12 crown and push for a deeper playoff run in 2026.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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