Saturday is shaping up to be a big one for Texas Tech - and not just on the hardwood.
While the Red Raiders men’s basketball team is down in Orlando looking to extend its winning streak against UCF, five former Texas Tech football standouts are in Mobile, Alabama, suiting up for the 2026 Senior Bowl. It’s a double-feature kind of day for Red Raider fans, with both programs showcasing talent on very different stages - one chasing a conference title push, the other chasing NFL dreams.
Five Red Raiders Take Center Stage at the Senior Bowl
Let’s start in Mobile, where Texas Tech is making a statement - not just with talent, but with presence. Only a handful of college programs get the nod to send five or more players to the Senior Bowl, and this year, the Red Raiders are one of them. That’s a big deal.
The Senior Bowl isn’t just another college all-star game. It’s a week-long audition in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers.
Every rep matters. Every interview counts.
For these five Red Raiders, it’s a chance to solidify their draft stock - or maybe even rise a few rounds with a strong showing.
More than that, it’s a win for the program. When you can point to a group of players heading to one of the most respected pre-draft showcases in football, it becomes a powerful recruiting tool. It sends a clear message: come to Lubbock, and you’ll have a real shot at the next level.
These five Red Raiders aren’t just representing themselves - they’re representing what Texas Tech football is building. And Saturday’s game is the culmination of a week of work that could change their futures.
On the Court: Red Raiders Look to Stay Hot vs. UCF
Meanwhile, over in Orlando, Grant McCasland’s squad is eyeing another win - but this one won’t come easy.
Texas Tech has been rolling, climbing near the top of the Big 12 standings and keeping pace with Arizona, the current leader. But UCF isn’t a team to take lightly. They’ve been quietly productive and have the kind of defensive grit that can frustrate teams if they’re not locked in.
For the Red Raiders, the key is staying sharp and continuing to play the kind of basketball that’s gotten them this far. Lately, they’ve looked like a team that can make some serious noise down the stretch - disciplined on defense, opportunistic on offense, and confident in crunch time.
But this is the Big 12. There are no nights off. And with postseason positioning on the line, every game matters.
A Showcase of Progress for Texas Tech Athletics
Saturday is more than just a couple of games - it’s a snapshot of where Texas Tech athletics is trending.
On one side, you’ve got a basketball team pushing for a conference title and building momentum with each win. On the other, a football program sending five of its own to one of the NFL Draft’s biggest stages.
That’s not just coincidence - it’s a sign of a program growing in both stature and relevance. Whether you’re tuning in for the hardwood or the gridiron, one thing’s clear: Texas Tech is making noise, and people are starting to take notice.