2026 Texas Tech Football Could Be Better Than Last Year
Story by Cade Welty
Connoisseur Media Intern
Texas Tech Football is coming off their best year historically by going 12-2. That record saw a Big 12 Championship, CFP Appearance and a ranking of 4th in the country, but what if we told you the 2026 team could be even better?
The reasons behind the claim are simple: they are returning 23 starters from last year’s team and have improved in some key position groups as well. Those groups include the offensive line, wide receivers and the defensive line.
Head Coach Joey McGuire after the spring game spoke on his feelings of the offensive line. “I do think that this offensive line has a chance to be really good.. What is exciting is there is real depth behind it… we’ve got more depth than we’ve had in the past.” Now, yes, they do have to replace a Heisman level linebacker and the top edge rusher in the NFL draft this year, but nobody last year had them penciled to become those players. Also we can
expect certain production levels from those who are returning.
The offensive line has had a full year to gel now with 3 of the 5 starters from last year returning. The only spots on the line that needed “replacement” were both guard positions. With Hunter Zambrano coming back fully healthy, this unit is top 10 in the country. The WR room will see a bunch of explosive players added to the group. Micah Hudson is aiming to take the lead role and a pair of home-run hitter transfers—Jalen Jones and Malcolm Simmons will fit perfectly in a Mack Leftwich offense. Also add in the veteran influence from Coy Eakin and transfers Donte Lee Jr and Kenny Johnson. Also, as to note, the WR room with the supposed starters has the average experience of a junior in college.
Finally, with the defensive line, which has seen a higher value of depth added to the overall group. You have your returning star rusher in AJ Holmes and then the highest rated defensive tackle in the portal, with that being Mateen Ibiroga. Next, the edge rusher group is filled with a bunch of rotational pieces with Amarie Fleming and Jamond Mathis. Add on Trey White and Adam Trick and you again are looking at a veteran group with a lot of talent.
Here is a look at the two deep rosters that will take the field on September 5th against Abilene Christian. Now this is, barring injury or surprise players. This is how we see the depth chart as of now.
THE OFFENSE :
QBS : Will Hammond (1) , Kirk Francis (2)
RBS : Cam Dickey (1), J’Koby Williams (2)
TES : Terrance Carter, Jett Carpenter
WRS : Micah Hudson, Coy Eakin (honorable mention : Malcolm Simmons)
LT : Howard Sampson , Ellis Davis
LG : Jordan Church, Cash Cleveland
C : Sheridan Wilson, Cash Cleveland
RG : Hunter Zambrano, D’Anthis Upshaw Jr
RT : Jacob Ponton, Felix Ojo
THE DEFENSE :
DL : AJ Holmes (1), Mateen Ibirogba (1), Jayden Cofield (2), Bryce Butler (2)
OLB/EDGE : Trey White (1), Adam Trick (1), Jamond Mathis (2), Amarie Fleming (2)
LB : Ben Roberts (1), Austin Romaine (2)
STAR : John Curry (1), Corey Platt Jr. (2)
CB : Bryce Pollock (1) , Amier Boyd (2)
FS : Marcus Ramon-Edwards (1), Malik Esquerra (2)
SS : Brendan Jordan (1), Peyton Morgan (2)
SPECIAL TEAMS :
K : Stone Harrington (1), Jacob Hand (2)
P : Will Karoll (1), Ian Hershey (2)
LS : Rylan Vagana
KR : Micah Hudson (1), J’Koby Williams
PR : J’Koby Williams (1), Jalen Jones (2)