Texas Tech opens the 2026 season Saturday night against Abilene Christian, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. (CT) at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, and the conversation around the Red Raiders starts with the same big-picture theme: this is a loaded roster.
Joe Yeager said Texas Tech “once again has the best roster in the Big XII by a wide margin,” and added that the real challenge is keeping that group locked in. For him, the danger isn’t talent. It’s avoiding the kind of letdown that turns a team this gifted into its own worst enemy.
Steven Chapman sees the buildup a little differently, but the excitement is just as strong. After what Texas Tech went through in 2025, he said it is almost hard to imagine things getting even better in 2026.
Kenny Romero backed that up, calling this the most talented team top to bottom that he can remember and pointing to the depth as the part he is eager to watch unfold. He believes this group has a chance to do more damage than last year’s team.
The addition of Tommy Castellanos also drew attention. Yeager viewed him as important depth at a position where depth is essential.
Chapman called him “about as good and insurance policy as you can get for the QB room,” noting that he brings experience and athleticism but still has to learn the system. He also said he still has doubts because of “the NCAA Appeals and possible court rulings.”
Romero said he understands the need for experienced depth in that room, but questioned how much help Castellanos can provide this close to the season. He said his hope is that Castellanos can be used in short-yardage running situations to help keep hits away from Hammond.
As for the newcomers, Yeager singled out Quinten Joyner, describing him as a newcomer in the sense that he has never played in an actual game for Texas Tech. Chapman said that two weeks ago he would have chosen Trey White and Adam Trick, but after watching pass rush drills, he is most intrigued by Austin Romaine and what he can do in Shiel Wood’s defense.
Romero said he is eager to see what strides Will Hammond has made and how he looks after the injury. Johnson said he wants to see Micah Hudson get his shot, calling it a great story of a heralded recruit who struggled, transferred out, transferred back, walked on and worked hard, and now has reached this moment.
On defense, Johnson pointed to A.J. Holmes and said, “I can't wait to see him wreck shop.”
Chapman also said he is very interested in how J'Koby Williams will be used this season, expecting offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich to find plenty of ways to use his quickness in the open field.
The final question in the discussion turned to the opener itself: what the first play call on offense will be.
In Other News...
Texas Tech Defense Faces An Early Test In The Opener
Texas Techs defense will enter the season opener with at least one notable absence after Joey McGuire said starting edge rusher Trey White will miss the game against Abilene Christian because of a knee injury. It is not a season-ending issue, but it does trim some of the edge rushing experience the Red Raiders expected to have on hand when the year kicks off.
Still, the early concern around White comes with some built-in reassurance for Tech. The Red Raiders are otherwise expected to be healthy, and there is depth behind him with true freshman LaDamion Guyton and senior transfer Jamond Mathis both positioned to help cover snaps while White works his way back. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Defense Still Has Key Starting Spots Up For Grabs
With Texas Tech set to open against Abilene Christian, the next item on the programs checklist is the official two-deep, and the defense still has a few spots to sort through before the first snap. The staff has already spent the preseason weighing personnel, tracking injuries and watching player development, with the positional picture mostly coming into focus even if the final pecking order is not yet locked in.
Several veteran pieces appear positioned for prominent roles, but the last details on who starts where and how much each defender will play remain unsettled. That uncertainty is part of the intrigue heading into the opener, since the Red Raiders have enough known contributors to feel comfortable and enough competition left at multiple spots to make the depth chart worth watching when it finally drops. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Opener Feels More Complicated Than A Typical Week 1 Tune-Up
Texas Techs opener against Abilene Christian comes with a little more uncertainty than the usual Week 1 tune-up. Both rosters have changed a lot since the teams met in 2024, which makes film study less straightforward, and Joey McGuire and defensive coordinator Shiel Wood have both pointed to the challenge of getting a clean read on what the Wildcats will actually look like this time around.
Abilene Christian has already been on the field once this season, and its offensive staff gives this matchup an especially familiar feel for Tech fans. Keith Pattersons team is being steered by Graham Harrell, the Texas Tech Hall of Famer who now runs the Wildcats offense, adding a layer of history to a game that already asks the Red Raiders to sort through a new cast of players on both sides. [Read more 🡒]