Story by
What is Texas Tech football strategy in the transfer portal? A complete guide
- Story by
- What is Texas Tech football strategy in the transfer portal? A complete guide
Joey McGuire's always on the hunt for talent he can add to the Texas Tech football roster, so the Red Raiders ' coach will be hard at it the next three weeks in particular. The NCAA transfer portal opened Monday for a 20-day period, and McGuire says he's in the market for at least 10 players.
His wants: One running back, one tight end, two to three offensive linemen, two to three defensive tackles and edge players, one or two cornerbacks, a safety and a kicker.
Advertisement
From the 2024 roster, 11 Tech players have or reportedly are expected to have their names in the portal, backup quarterback Cameran Brown being the latest .
How will Texas Tech football fit in more players?
Rosters will be capped at 105 players next season, assuming a federal judge grants final approval in April to the House v. NCAA settlement proposal. The Avalanche-Journal currently projects Texas Tech to be 13 over that number for 2025. That's based on the following: 87 players on the current roster with eligibility remaining, three seniors able to return if medical hardship waivers are approved, 18 high-school signees last week and 10 portal additions.
"Whenever you add all that stuff together," McGuire said, "I'm going to have to cut some players."
Advertisement
More: Texas Tech football vs. Arkansas: Early storylines for the Liberty Bowl
More: Joey McGuire lays out Liberty Bowl preparation plan for Texas Tech football staff
Most of the 11 Tech players reported at the moment to be portal-bound were little-used backups this season. Notable exceptions: tackle Ty Buchanan, who started seven games, wide receiver-return man Jordan Brown , who caught 11 passes for 140 yards, and touted freshman Micah Hudson , who caught eight passes in an injury-shortened season.
More must go. McGuire cautioned not to blame the ones who do.
"Don't look up and think somebody's transferring because they're transferring to go find somewhere else," he said. "I've got a roster limit. ... Some guys might be getting in, (thinking), 'Look, I'd rather get in now and not wait 'til April 16 and I might have a spot or I might not have a spot.' Some of that's happening."
Advertisement
More: How Texas Tech football can make CFP next year: An off-season to-do list
Though not specifically referring to Tech, McGuire said he expects some high-school signees who chose colleges last week will leave after spring practice during the next portal window April 16-25.
"We've seen the portal crazy (before)," McGuire said, "but because the amount of money that is in this now, the portal is going to go absolutely crazy. ... We're looking at guys that have played. Everybody else in the country, if you're looking for portal guys, you're going after guys that have played. And so the amount of talent, because of the money that's going to be in the portal, we haven't honestly ... seen anything like it."
What players is Texas Tech football targeting in the transfer portal?
Jackson State Tigers' defensive back KJ Chisholm (17) misses Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions' wide receiver Javonnie Gibson (11) during the game in Jackson, Miss., on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Here are 10 names to know. All have said on social media that Texas Tech has made them an offer.
Advertisement
Javonnie Gibson, WR, Arkansas -Pine Bluff:The 6-foot-3, 205-pound sophomore led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in catches (70), yards (1,215) and touchdowns (9) this season.
Reggie Virgil, WR, Miami ( Ohio ):The 6-4, 190-pound junior caught 41 passes for 816 yards and nine touchdowns on an 8-5 team.
Cameron Barmore WR-TE, Mercyhurst :The 6-6, 230-pound graduate student caught 71 passes for 913 yards and 13 touchdowns, all highs in the FCS Northeast Conference.
Mercyhurst University wide receiver Cameron Barmore (2) celebrates a second-half touchdown catch during Saturday’s 21-20 victory over Saint Francis at Saxon Stadium.
Makylan "Mak" Pounders, OT, Mississippi State:The 6-5, 310-pound junior appeared in 20 games with 12 starts in three season at Memphis and in 11 games with seven starts — six at left tackle — this season at MSU (2-10).
Advertisement
Cazeem Moore, DE, Elon:The 6-5, 255-pound junior logged 51 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and six sacks this season. He has a 23-game streak of starts.
David Oke, DT, Abilene Christian:The 6-2, 290-pound junior from Alief Hastings was credited with 63 tackles, including 9½ tackles for loss, and six quarterback hurries this season. ACU nearly upset Tech in a season opener and finished 9-5 in the second round of the FCS playoffs .
James Thompson, DE, Wisconsin :The 6-5, 295-pound senior spent five years with the Badgers. He made 18 starts during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, when he registered 52 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. He missed all but one game this season with a torn pectoral muscle.
Sep 22, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end James Thompson Jr. (90) celebrates after sacking Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Caleb Weaver, S, Sam Houston State:The 5-11, 190-pound junior from Jersey Village had team highs of 87 tackles and four interceptions, helping the Bearcats go 9-3. He was first-team all-conference and made the Dave Campbell's Texas Football all-Texas first team.
Advertisement
Jacobie Anderson, CB, Marshall:The 5-11, 191-pound sophomore racked up 50 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions this season.
Stephen Rusnak, K, UNC-Charlotte:The 6-1, 190-pound junior did little except kickoffs in three years at Michigan State. The left-footer broke out this year at UNCC, making 11 of 11 field goals, including 3 for 3 from 50 yards-plus.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football strategy in the transfer portal: A complete guide
