The NCAA Transfer Portal doesn’t officially open until January 2, but the action has already started. Around the country, players are announcing their intentions to seek new opportunities, and programs are gearing up for another wild ride through the portal.
One of those programs? Texas Tech - and if last year is any indication, the Red Raiders are ready to make some noise again.
Let’s rewind for a second. Texas Tech didn’t just dip into the portal last offseason - they dove in headfirst and came out with one of the most impactful transfer classes in the country.
According to 247Sports, that group ranked No. 2 nationally, and it’s no exaggeration to say it helped reshape the program. Fast forward to now, and that same core has powered Texas Tech to a 12-1 record, a Big 12 championship - their first outright conference title since 1955 - and a No. 4 ranking heading into the College Football Playoff.
That’s not just a good year. That’s a history-making season in Lubbock.
But the work isn’t done. With a first-round bye in the expanded playoff format, Texas Tech is preparing for a Jan. 1 quarterfinal showdown at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
They’ll face the winner of No. 12 James Madison vs.
No. 5 Oregon - two programs with very different styles, but both capable of giving the Red Raiders a serious challenge.
While head coach Joey McGuire and his staff have their eyes on the playoff, the personnel department - led by general manager James Blanchard - is already deep into portal prep. The goal?
Reload, not rebuild. The mission?
Defend the Big 12 crown in 2026.
McGuire made it clear: the upcoming transfer class won’t be as large as last year’s. And that’s by design.
"I don't think it's going to be a huge class, because we have a lot of guys coming back, starting on both sides of the ball," McGuire said. "We'll have seven starters coming back on offense and six on defense, so it will be a smaller class than last year. Probably somewhere between seven and 10."
That continuity is a luxury few programs enjoy in the current college football landscape. With 13 returning starters and a proven system in place, Texas Tech doesn’t need a full roster overhaul. They just need the right pieces - targeted additions who can elevate the floor and raise the ceiling.
And timing matters. The NCAA has made several key changes to the transfer portal calendar this cycle.
The window now opens January 2 and runs through January 16 for both FBS and FCS players. Gone is the December opening.
Also gone? The 15-day spring window that allowed graduate transfers to enter at any time.
Now, everyone - including grad transfers - must operate within the same 15-day window.
Another notable change: the rules around coaching changes. Previously, if a head coach left, players had 30 days to enter the portal.
Now, if that departure happens after January 2, the window shrinks to 15 days. The idea behind all these tweaks is to streamline the process, limit chaos, and give programs a more predictable recruiting calendar.
For Texas Tech, that means a condensed but crucial period to identify, evaluate, and land the right talent. It’s not about volume.
It’s about fit. And if last year’s portal haul is any indication, the Red Raiders know exactly what they’re looking for - and how to get it.
With momentum on their side, a playoff game on the horizon, and a clear plan for the portal, Texas Tech is showing no signs of slowing down. The Red Raiders aren’t just building for the future. They’re building to win right now.