Joey McGuire was praised as a brilliant, impromptu recruit for the Texas Tech Red Raiders given his status as a renowned high school football coach in Texas. He had early success targeting players from the Lone Star State, but even in a state as large and talented as Texas, he struggled to build depth.

McGuire changed his approach in the December transfer portal window. This changed philosophy pays off early. Could it make the Red Raiders a Big 12 frontrunner?

Joey McGuire’s Texas Tech Red Raiders are taking a national approach to the transfer portal

McGuire’s Red Raiders have a real hometown feel. In fact, 97 Texas Tech players attended high school in the Lone Star State. It’s a deep state with a lot of talent, and few have as deep connections to the high school scene as McGuire. McGuire went 142-42 in 14 years at Cedar Hill High School in Dallas.

When he was hired, McGuire vowed to turn Texas State into a talent factory for the Red Raiders. It initially worked, as McGuire’s first two classes each ranked in the top 30. In those high school classes, the Red Raiders added three players from outside of Texas.

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But their class of 2025 ranks 39th nationally. They drafted only three of the top 50 players from Texas and none in the top 20. That put pressure on the Red Raiders’ transfer class, a group currently considered the best class in the country.

One of the Red Raiders’ 17 transfers went to high school in Texas. Only one other is transferring from a college in Texas.

Overall, only five players (29.4%) have a real connection to Texas. Texas Tech has accepted more transfers from outside of Texas than the rest of McGuire’s classes combined.

What McGuire’s change in philosophy means for the Red Raiders

I’m a fan of McGuire. Texas Tech chose a man who wasn’t ashamed to use his connections to keep talented players in the state. It worked because he won three seasons in a row. However, his willingness to adapt, especially in the portal, is enormous.

It proves The Red Raiders are well positioned from a name, image and likeness standpoint. Not only does their collective have them in the running for elite players, but there is also enough money to do so Sign Top players.

McGuire secures top transfers through the sale programnot just the opportunity to play for a coach who knows the high school football scene in Texas.

If McGuire can continue to land impact transfers from around the country, the Red Raiders will be a contender for the open Big 12. That’s exactly where McGuire wants to be.

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