Texas Tech football is coming off one of the best seasons in its history. If you ask ESPN, the good times should keep rolling in Lubbock.
ESPN recently released its top-25 list of the best newcomer classes in college football for 2026, now that signing day and the transfer portal period are in the books. These are the teams that brought in the most talent when you combine the transfer portal with high school recruiting.
The defending Big 12 champion Red Raiders come in at No. 3 on ESPN’s top 25, behind No. 2 Ohio State and LSU at No. 1.
The Texas Longhorns were right on their heels at No. 4, and Texas A&M isn’t far behind at No. 9. ESPN also ranks Oklahoma at No. 15.
Sports Roundup
Here’s what ESPN’s Craig Haubert and Billy Tucker had to say about our area schools. Check out the full top 25 here.
No. 3 Texas Tech
Top recruits: Edge LaDamion Guyton, CB S’Vioarean Martin, WR Chase Campbell
Transfers: QB Brendan Sorsby, DT Mateen Ibirogba, DE Trey White
Comment: “Texas Tech’s portal class has ready‑made, high‑impact players. Sorsby is a three‑year starter who completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns to five interceptions in 2025 and added 580 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He’s a powerful, instinctive pocket passer with RPO timing and the mobility to extend plays. …
“Tech’s 2026 freshmen class mixes immediate‑use athletes and upside. Guyton projects into the outside linebacker rotation with the range and burst to thrive ultimately in a similar fashion to David Bailey. Don’t expect that in Year 1, but he can have success in a situational role as a violent and intense pass rusher.”
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No. 4 Texas
Top recruits: RB Derrick Cooper, OLB Tyler Atkinson, WR Jermaine Bishop Jr.
Transfers: WR Cam Coleman, DT Ian Geffrard, RB Hollywood Smothers
Comment: “Texas signed multiple five-star freshmen in 2026. At linebacker, Tyler Atkinson lacks physical upside but was a productive high school player in Georgia. He can be a versatile player who can rotate in at linebacker and should also be a factor on special teams right away. At receiver, Bishop adds rotational depth behind Ryan Wingo and Kaliq Lockett, profiling as the next vertical and catch‑and‑run threat. …
“Texas’ portal haul is about upgrading with proven playmakers. Coleman was one of the biggest portal wins of this cycle and projects as a primary outside receiver after transferring from Auburn with 93 receptions, 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns, giving Texas another true No. 1 target opposite Wingo.”
No. 9 Texas A&M
Top recruits: RB KJ Edwards, WR Aaron Gregory, WR Madden Williams
Transfers: WR Isaiah Horton, CB Rickey Gibson III, Edge Anto Saka
Comment: “The key freshman to watch is Edwards who projects into the running back rotation as Le’Veon Moss moves on. Edwards, a smaller, explosive, change‑of‑pace back can complement Rueben Owens II with versatility and perimeter quickness. …
“Mike Elko hit the portal to add proven SEC/Power 4 production at premium spots. Horton joins the receiver rotation as a 6‑4, 208‑pound boundary target from Alabama. He’s a big‑catch playmaker with excellent body control and ball skills who can win jump balls and work the deep middle. Gibson, a quick‑twitch cover corner from Tennessee, is a sticky man defender with instincts and physicality who can be a matchup player on the outside.”
No. 15 Oklahoma
Top recruits: DE Jake Kreul, RB Jonathan Hatton, WR Daniel Odom
Transfers: WR Trell Harris, WR Parker Livingstone, OT E’Marion Harris
Comment: “Oklahoma hit the portal to bring in immediate starters and proven Power 4 depth. Trell Harris is a productive veteran from Virginia who can create underneath, take the top off coverage and win 50-50 balls with strong hands and physical yards after catch, and he should start. Livingstone, coming from Texas, also helps rebuild that position as a speedy, 6-4 target with great hands and route-running skills who stretches the field and tracks the deep ball exceptionally well (29 career receptions, 516 yards, 6 touchdowns). …
“Oklahoma’s 2026 class got off to a slow start but picked up steam in late summer and ultimately added some dynamic playmakers and high-upside talent.”
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