Red Raiders' powerhouse offensive line solidifies with Freshman All-American Jacob Ponton's return, promising dominance for the 2026 season.
Texas Tech football continues to stack the accolades after its historic campaign in 2025. The Red Raiders are loaded with talent from top to bottom going into the 2026 season, especially along the offensive line.
That unit started the same lineup for all 14 games this past season, which is a testament to coaching, hard work and player development. These young men were road graders, blocking for an offense that was one of the best in college football.
The Red Raiders gained over 6,000 yards of total offense and averaged 461 yards per game. That was good enough for No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference.
In a win over Kansas, this unit helped the Red Raiders rush for 372 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries (9.3-yard average). Coach Joey McGuire will welcome back three starters from that unit, including Jacob Ponton.
On Wednesday, Ponton was named Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). He was the only player selected from the Big 12 and was one of six offensive linemen named to the team.
Ponton, at 6-8, 305 pounds, posted a strong performance from his tackle position in 2025, earning an overall grade of 69.3 from Pro Football Focus. That is the second-highest grade among his peers with 500 snaps. It is also the highest among tackles in any of the Power Four conferences. In 483 snaps, Ponton allowed just four sacks.
Ponton becomes the sixth Texas Tech freshman player to earn All-American honors.
He returns next season along with offensive tackle Howard Sampson and center Sheridan Wilson, giving the Red Raiders a solid and experienced offensive line that will be the enforcers for yet another talented offense next season.
Texas Tech returns starters and key contributors at receiver, tight end and running back. They will have a new quarterback in top transfer Brendan Sorsby and some serious transfer talent on the perimeter, including Malcolm Simmons, Kenny Johnson and Dontae Lee.
Ponton will also block for a couple of talented backs that will return for another season of dominant football. Cameron Dickey led the team with 1,124 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Against Kansas, Dickey rushed for a season-high 263 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-17 victory. Dickey earned second-team All-Big 12 honors.
J’Koby Williams rushed for 868 yards and six touchdowns, and posted six games of over six yards per carry.
With a decorated lineman in Ponton returning, along with other starters coming back, McGuire and Texas Tech are now in an enviable position, both in the conference and nationally. Look for the Red Raiders to be the favorites to win the Big 12 again next season.