The Texas Tech Red Raiders are turning heads in college football rankings this season. Their secret? A big bet on the line of scrimmage.
With over $7 million in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) commitments, the Red Raiders have shot up into the top 10 of the College Football Playoff rankings. It’s a bold move, led by General Manager James Blanchard, who targeted top-tier trench talent in the transfer portal.
The results? Pretty immediate. Max Olson’s recent ESPN piece dives into the details, but you can see the turnaround on the field.
The Strategy Behind Texas Tech’s Success
At the heart of Tech’s plan: control the line of scrimmage. Blanchard made sure donors stayed in the loop, sharing film, valuations, and how each recruit fit the system.
The approach was straightforward—build depth up front so they could win with just four guys and force opponents out of their comfort zone. Sometimes, the simplest plans really are the best.
Key Acquisitions
The transfer portal was kind to Texas Tech this year. They snagged a handful of big names:
- David Bailey – Came over from Stanford, reportedly for more than $3 million
- Romello Height – Signed for $1.5 million
- Lee Hunter – Picked Tech even after Texas made a late push
- Skyler Gill-Howard and A.J. Holmes Jr. – Added much-needed depth inside
Those pickups have powered a defense that’s now among the nation’s best in scoring and playoff rankings.
Immediate Impact on the Field
Coach Joey McGuire’s crew wasted no time getting the new guys up to speed. They drilled run integrity first, then let the pass rush loose.
It’s worked. Texas Tech boasts the nation’s top run defense, leads in forced fumbles (16), and has racked up 175 pressures. And get this—they blitz on just 20 percent of snaps.
That’s a front that can take over a game, plain and simple.
Star Performers
The stars have lived up to the hype:
- David Bailey – Tops the country with 11.5 sacks and 46 pressures
- Romello Height – Notched 37 pressures
- A.J. Holmes Jr. – Stepped in for Gill-Howard and produced 18 pressures inside
They even broke the school’s single-game sack record, dropping Kansas QBs nine times. Against Kansas State, Bailey and Height made life miserable for opposing passers.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice at Texas Tech is anything but laid back. Quarterback Behren Morton and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez say it’s like a race to the ball—every snap, every drill.
That energy has clearly bled into Saturdays.
Return on Investment
Donors Cody Campbell and John Sellers have to be grinning. Their investment is paying off, both on the field and in the recruiting game.
Momentum in the transfer portal is real—Tech landed 13 four-star additions, earning On3’s No. 1 ranking for portal hauls. The Red Raiders are playing with a swagger that says they’re built for the big moments in November.
Looking Ahead
The Red Raiders are set to face BYU at home this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
Texas Tech has been on a roll lately. With their current roster and depth, they just might keep that momentum going.
There’s no denying that strategic NIL investments have shaken things up. It’s changed their lineup and, honestly, raised the bar for what’s possible in college football.
If you’re curious about how Texas Tech’s $7 million in NIL commitments helped build a top 10-ranked program, check out the original article by Max Olson on ESPN.
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