Last year's Texas Tech football team set a program single-season record with 12 wins, and months later set another with nine players selected in one NFL draft. That aside, Tech did a stellar job of player retention, added 21 players from the transfer portal, and could send another sizable number into the league when the 2027 draft unfolds in Washington, D.C.
Here's an early gauge of the Red Raiders with the best chances. A couple of things to know: This list consists of seniors only, though Tech has some younger players who'd no doubt be draft prospects should they declare early.
Also, the NCAA is considering putting an age-based hard limit of five years on player eligibility, potentially in time for the 2026-27 school year. In that case, the current crop of fourth-year seniors might have a fifth year coming their way.
For now, though, we'll keep it simple: An early look at current seniors with the best draft prospects.
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Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.texas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.Texas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.1 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.1 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.2 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.3 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicestexas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.4 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.5 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.6 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.7 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.8 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.9 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.10 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.11 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.12 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.13 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.14 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.15 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.16 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.17 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.18 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.19 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.20 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.21 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.22 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.23 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.24 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.25 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.26 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.27 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.28 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.29 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.30 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.31 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.32 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.33 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.34 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.35 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.36 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.37 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.38 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.39 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.40 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.41 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.42 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.43 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.44 / 44See photos of the Texas Tech football team's 2026 spring practicesTexas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.A.J. Holmes, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, DT∎ Holmes began the 2025 season as a backup, but when Skyler Gill-Howard suffered a season-ending injury, Holmes played so well that he earned second-team All-America recognition from The Associated Press. Now he's ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle for next year by ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller and the No. 13 overall prospect by Pro Football Focus.
∎ Carter's also ranked No. 1 at his position by ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller and the No. 54 overall prospect by Pro Football Focus. In his first year with the Red Raiders after transferring from Louisiana-Lafayette, Carter caught 55 passes for 624 yards and 5 touchdowns.
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∎ Pollock shared the conference lead with 5 interceptions last season, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches and the media. In the NFL Mock Draft database, which tracks 59 mock drafts, Pollock is No. 67 overall and third among Red Raiders players.
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∎ Roberts has piled up big tackle numbers three years in a row, but he took his game up a level last year. Along with 85 tackles were 5 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He was named most outstanding player of the Big 12 championship game, shaking off an injury to make two interceptions and a fourth-down pass breakup. He's No. 49 on the Pro Football Focus big board for 2027.
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∎ Wilson has 27 starts, all in a row, most among returning Tech offensive players. ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid says Wilson is atop his list of center prospects, observing he has "ideal size for the pivot position in a zone scheme and uses quickness and agility to win battles for positioning and leverage."
∎ Sorsby would be at or near the top of this list — a Heisman Trophy candidate and a potential first-round pick — if not for his currently being the subject of an NCAA gambling investigation. Sorsby checks every box — production, size, strong arm, plus scrambling ability — but his football future's on hold until the NCAA, state gaming regulators, possibly the courts, and NFL sleuths do their homework on him.
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∎ Trick spent four years at Miami (Ohio) and wreaked all sorts of havoc last season, his first as a full-time starter: 59 tackles, 12½ tackles for loss, 8½ sacks, 5 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles. "He's a big effort guy," Tech coach Joey McGuire said. Now the MAC transfer who had no scholarship offers from power-conference programs out of high school steps into the wide-side edge rusher spot vacated by David Bailey, so, no pressure, right?
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∎ None of Ibirogba's stats last year at Wake Forest were eye-catching, but his athletic traits led to his being ranked a top-10 player in the transfer portal and earned him attention from Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. Texas Tech will try to do with Ibirogba what it did last year for one-year transfers such as David Bailey, Lee Hunter, and Romello Height: Bring out their best and elevate their NFL stock. On the NFL Mock Draft database, Ibirogba is No. 79 overall, a projected third-round pick. "He's a natural pass rusher inside," McGuire said.
∎ Sampson has ideal size for a left tackle. Last season, his first with Texas Tech, Sampson pulled Pro Football Focus grades of 82.3 for pass blocking, 70.5 for run blocking, and 72.3 overall. By comparison, Arizona State's Max Iheanachor and Georgia's Monroe Freeling, both first-round draft picks last month, had overall grades of 72.5 and 72.3, respectively.