Talkin’ Season came early for Red Raider Nation thanks to some comments made about their schedule by in-state rival head coach Steve Sarkisian. It was enough to get those good ol’ fall Saturday emotions running. Coming off the end of that, ESPN released on Tuesday the top 100 newcomers college football fans should know before the 2026 season. Most of these are transfers to new places, but some are incoming true freshmen. Texas Tech had four players make this countdown, with two in the top 20. Let’s get to know these critical new players for Joey McGuire’s 2026 squad.
All Texas Tech players in top 100 found on defense
While 2025 was proof of concept, given the history of what this Texas Tech program has always been known for, seeing four impact players all on defense can still be jarring for long-standing Texas Tech fans. Not only are they all on defense, but they all will be found along the defensive line of scrimmage. Texas Tech general manager James Blanchard and the entire coaching staff have made it their priority to bring in elite talent along both sides of the line of scrimmage and let that be the foundational pieces for a team looking to compete for a national championship.
17. Trey White, Edge
The first Texas Tech football player to make ESPN’s top 100 list is Trey White. The San Diego State transfer was a two-time All-Mountain West first-team selection. During that same two-year stretch, White recorded 19.5 sacks. Texas Tech’s banner 2025 season was powered in large part by multiple transfers along the defensive line that allowed the defense to pressure the quarterback without having to bring extra rushers. That 2025 front was headlined by second overall pick David Bailey and 70th overall pick Romellow Height. Defensive coordinator Shiel Wood is hoping White can follow in their footsteps as Texas Tech aims to defend its Big 12 title in 2026.
19. Mateen Ibirogba, Defensive Tackle
Just two positions down on the countdown, Mateen Ibirogba will be lining up plenty alongside White. Ibirogba transfers in from Wake Forest. While White is looking to fill the shoes of Bailey/Height, Ibirogba will help to replace both Lee Hunter and Skyler Gill-Howard, both of whom had their name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a big-time playmaker for the Demon Deacons in 2025. The stats won’t jump off the page. But his impact can be seen immediately on tape. The 6’4” 300lbs senior can eat up blocks and let one of the best linebacker corps in the country thrive.
45. Adam Trick, Edge
Another player to play opposite of White, Adam Trick joins the Red Raiders after earning a first-team All-MAC selection last season at Miami (OH). His 2025 season included 59 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and one interception. Additionally, Trick led all of FBS in quarterback pressures with 72. Trick is on record stating that seeing the development of Bailey and Height has an influence on his decision to transfer to Lubbock. The combination of White and Trick could result in plenty of one-on-one matchups for them to exploit in passing situations. This defense has big shoes to fill, as the Red Raider defense ranked 11th nationally in sacks per game at 2.93.
78. LaDamion Guyton
LaDamion Guyton is the only true freshman on the countdown representing the Red Raider football team. He was the sixth overall ranked prospect from 2026. Guyton, who comes from Savannah, GA, was plucked away from the Georgia Bulldogs and represents a massive recruiting shift for this Red Raider program. He was the headliner in a class that finished 18th nationally, the highest-ranked recruiting class McGuire has signed in his four years at Texas Tech. Guyton technically should still be in high school, but reclassified to start his college career shortly after turning 18 this fall. His biggest asset is his speed. His size could be an initial concern (6’2 230 lbs), but expect this true freshman to play significant snaps this fall and have an immediate impact.
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This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Four Red Raiders appear on ESPN’s top 100 newcomers countdown
Reporting by Andrew McCleary, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
