After a dominant five-interception season, Red Raiders cornerback Brice Pollock secures elite national status as a shutdown defender poised to lead Texas Tech’s championship-caliber secondary in 2026.
Texas Tech's defense was one of the driving forces behind the program's 2025 season, and one of its biggest stars is continuing to earn national recognition heading into the new year.
Red Raiders cornerback Brice Pollock was recently named one of PFF's five best returning "ball hawks" in college football for the 2026 season, further cementing his status as one of the nation's premier defensive backs.
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"Pollock transferred from Mississippi State to Texas Tech ahead of last season and wasted no time making the move look worthwhile," Daire Carragher writes. "Quarterbacks targeting Pollock posted a passer rating of just 35.7, the second-lowest mark among eligible returning Power Four corners... He’s currently ranked 56th on PFF’s 2027 Big Board, and another year of shutting down his side of the field in the Big 12 could propel him above players at less premium positions."
For Texas Tech fans, the recognition should come as no surprise.
In his first season with the Red Raiders after transferring from Mississippi State, Pollock quickly emerged as one of the best defensive players in the Big 12. He finished the year with five interceptions, tying for the conference lead, and ranking among the national leaders.
But Pollock's impact went far beyond interceptions.
He racked up 48 total tackles, four tackles for loss, eight pass deflections, and he even recovered a fumble.
The timing of this recognition is especially important for Texas Tech.
The Red Raiders are entering the 2026 season with lofty expectations after a 12-win campaign and a College Football Playoff appearance. While much of the national attention will focus on the offense, championship-caliber teams are often defined by their ability to take the ball away, and Pollock gives Texas Tech exactly that kind of playmaker in the secondary.
Perhaps the most encouraging part for the Red Raiders is that Pollock chose to return for his senior season instead of pursuing professional opportunities. His decision gives Texas Tech an experienced leader and one of the most productive defensive backs in the nation for another year.
If Pollock can build on what he accomplished in 2025, he won't just be one of the Big 12's top defenders. He could find himself in the conversation as one of the best defensive backs in all of college football.
