By Jay Berry
Texas Tech has one of the nation’s top-rated transfer portal classes in 2025.
For head coach Joey McGuire, 2025 is arguably his best chance since taking the job at Texas Tech. While he’s been making strides with the program, 2025 presents a significant opportunity to prove his leadership and build on an improved roster.
McGuire signed a six-year contract in 2022 with Texas Tech. He has had winning records in each of his first three seasons and the boosters love him. It’s not a make-or-break season, but 2025 is their best chance at competing for a Big 12 Conference championship.
Texas Tech is investing heavily in McGuire and has given him a roster with the potential to compete at a high level. The program has made significant strides in NIL and recruiting, and fans expect results.
@TexasTechFB has the highest rated football transfer class OF ALL TIME!!
And we might not be done yet…
All made possible by the army of @MatadorClubOrg donors and incredible recruiting by @JoeyMcGuireTTU, @jkbtjc_53 and the rest of the staff – the best in the business!!
Buy… pic.twitter.com/2GFu4CrdMK
— Cody Campbell (@CodyC64) April 27, 2025
More Sports News
Delivering on Promises
McGuire has been working hard to improve the program’s image and build a strong relationship with the fan base. The season is an opportunity to prove that he can deliver on those promises and win over the skeptics.
While there’s no immediate pressure for McGuire’s job, a strong 2025 season would solidify his position and prevent any potential calls for his removal. The Red Raiders don’t have to win the conference, but a trip to the Big 12 Championship game would be huge for the program’s continued growth.
The Red Raiders signed 17 players this offseason from the transfer portal. The area that they need to improve in order to have any chance of moving forward with their progress is defense.
Last season the Texas Tech defense was a disaster. The Red Raiders finished No. 121 in the nation in points allowed per game (34.9), allowed almost 500 total yards of offense per game and were fourth-worst in the FBS in passing yards allowed per game (308.1).
Best Chance to Breakthrough
Last season saw the Red Raiders finish with eight wins. A season that head coach Mcquire called a complete failure.
Managing expectations can be challenging in college football, particularly for a program that hasn’t secured a conference title since the Southwest Conference era.
However, Texas Tech general manager James Blanchard is confident this is their year in the Big 12.
Texas Tech announces a three-year extension for GM James Blanchard that includes a raise and will run through 2027.
Joey McGuire: “The success of our personnel department led by James Blanchard has obviously been noticed nationally with the significant interest he continues to… pic.twitter.com/TjtLOumZLm
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) February 7, 2025
“This place has never gone to the Big 12 Championship or won one. Everybody from the top down is wanting one in Lubbock, Texas,” Blanchard said. “I can’t imagine. It’ll be a dream. But it’s gonna be a dream come true, because it’s about to happen.”
With a strong roster, including a high-profile transfer class and a returning starting quarterback, Behren Morton, the Red Raiders should be considered a contender in 2025.
The Big 12 is wide open this year, and with the expanded 12-team playoff, Texas Tech could have an electric ride this season. A national championship is improbable, but a conference championship would be huge for the campus and fan base.
Before we find out if the Texas Tech transfer portal/NIL additions will pay off, there is still a long way to go. This season is their best opportunity in a long time, maybe ever, in the Big 12 if they can put everything together.
