Four returners and two newcomers make up a crop of Red Raiders earning national recognition.
LUBBOCK, Texas -- The Texas Tech Red Raiders have plenty of necessary talent to run it back in 2026 and reclaim their Big 12 championship crown.
But head coach Joey McGuire also believes this team can be even better than the one who reached the CFP for the first time in program history.
That optimism is defended by the individual recognition being given to Tech's stars on both sides of the ball.
In ESPN's top 100 players list ahead of the 2026 college football season, six Red Raiders made the cut. Five of them come from the defensive side - which is impressive given the amount of defensive talent McGuire lost to the NFL Draft.
25. A.J. Holmes Jr.
Holmes was among the more underrepresented yet incredible stories in a 2025 season that was filled with them in Lubbock.
Starting the season as a backup tackle, Holmes grew into an AP All-American and a one-man wrecking force who preyed on the opportunities given to him as offenses tried to guard the Red Raiders' talented D-line.
Holmes picked up 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries and 38 total tackles (nine for loss) last season. He enters the new year as the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - and a top-25 player in the country - as a result.
27. Brice Pollock
Tech's top cornerback also enters the new season with all-conference praise. Pollock co-led the Big 12 last season with five interceptions (seventh-most in FBS), and will be another key secondary leader for the Red Raiders, who are without clear direction at the safety spot.
Pollock had 48 tackles and eight pass breakups to go with his five picks.
66. Terrance Carter Jr.
"TC" is Texas Tech's lone offensive representative on the list, and is one of just two tight ends in the country to be named to the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's best pass-catcher.
Carter will remain a prominent figure in the Red Raiders' new-look receiver corps for quarterback Will Hammond, which features returning studs Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson, and transfers Kenny Johnson, Donte Lee Jr. and Malcolm Simmons.
83. Trey White
Speaking of transfers, Tech's defensive end group is reloaded after David Bailey and Romello Height took their talents to the NFL after last season.
White comes by way of San Diego State after recording seven sacks and 53 total tackles in 2025. Over the last two seasons, White and Texas Longhorns star Colin Simmons are the only two active college players to have completed at least 19.5 sacks since the start of 2024.
94. Ben Roberts
The new captain of Tech's linebacker group fills the shoes left by Jacob Rodriguez. Roberts, however, returns with starting experience, which is headlined by his two interceptions and Most Outstanding Player honor from the Big 12 Championship game win in Arlington.
Roberts is the only returner in college football with more than 80 tackles in each of the last three seasons.
98. Adam Trick
Opposite of White on the defensive line is the Miami (Ohio) transfer who had 8.5 sacks and a trio of forced fumbles. With a wealth of experience, Trick is ushered into a leadership spot in Lubbock that could lead to a potential NFL career if he excels this season.
