Rebuilding doesn’t seem to be a thing in college football anymore with NIL and the transfer portal. You can build a team ready to compete in as little as one offseason. That is what Texas Tech and head coach Joey McGuire hope is the case in the wide-open Big 12. Coming out of the spring, it doesn’t appear that any one team is viewed as the favorite, and that could benefit a team like the Red Raiders.

After finishing 8-5 last year, the Red Raiders, armed with NIL money from billionaire booster Cody Campbell and others, were ready to buy a team. Plenty of anonymous sources have stated that Tech is a willing spender, and current Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti called out six teams, including Tech, that he claims are spending $40 million on their rosters this season.

You’ve got to love that oil money, right? Well, maybe not if you are a fan of a team that doesn’t have that kind of bankroll. Cignetti better be careful before he becomes the next Pat Narduzzi, who spent plenty of time calling out other programs for the way they do business in the transfer portal and with NIL.

When it comes to utilizing that money to load up the roster for a run at the Big 12 title and a guaranteed spot in the College Football Playoff, it seems the Red Raiders did it just about as good as anyone. With 100 days until the start of Week 0 in the 2025 college football season, ESPN released its top 100 impact transfers for the season. A list that is dominated by the Texas Tech Red Raiders and their No. 2 transfer class behind the LSU Tigers. Tech has 9 of the top 100 players and could easily be 10 if they included running back Quinten Joyner.

Texas Tech players in the top 100 transfer list

• No. 9: David Bailey, Edge Rusher, Stanford
• No. 18: Howard Sampston, Offensive Tackle, North Carolina
• No. 19: Lee Hunter, Defensive Tackle, Central Florida
• No. 32: Romello Height, Edge Rusher, Georgia Tech
• No. 46: Hunter Zambrano, Offensive Tackle, Illinois State
• No. 47: Reggie Virgil, Wide Receiver, Miami (OH)
• No. 58: Micah Hudson, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M*
• No. 85: Brince Pollock, Cornerback, Mississippi State
• No. 86: Terrance Carter, Tight End, Louisiana

It is interesting that they listed Micah Hudson as one of the top 100 impactful transfers, given that he never played a snap at Texas A&M before returning to Lubbock. The former five-star signee is technically a transfer, but I think we are splitting hairs with his addition. However, this isn’t our list of top 100 transfers.

At the top of the list, you will find David Bailey and Howard Sampson, both should have a major impact. Not only that, but they will make each other better by going against each other in practice all season long. After all, iron sharpens iron.

Ironically enough, Tech didn’t have any players among the top 100 who were transferring out of Lubbock after Hudson came back. Not many programs with strong classes in the transfer portal can make that same claim.

Other Notable Big 12 Transfers

• No. 20: Jehiem Oatis, Defensive Tackle, Alabama to Colorado
• No. 43: Chase Sowell, Wide Receiver, East Carolina to Iowa State
• No. 45: Kaidon Salter, Quarterback, Liberty to Colorado
• No. 64: Jordan Dwyer, Wide Receiver, Idaho to TCU
• No. 70 Jimmori Robinson, Edge, UTSA to West Virginia
• No. 76: Wayshawn Parker, Running Back, Washington State to Utah
• No. 78: Conner Weigman, Quarterback, Texas A&M to Houston
• No. 79: Devon Dampier, Quarterback, New Mexico to Utah
• No. 81: Joe Cotton, Offensive Tackle, South Dakota to Cincinnati
• No. 91: Tanner Koziol, Tight End, Wisconsin to Houston

Big 12 2025 Transfer Class Rankings via 247Sports

1. Texas Tech: 21 Commits, 76.47 Points
2. Colorado: 28 Commits, 49.51 Points
3. Houston: 28 Commits, 43.25 Points
4. West Virginia: 52 Commits, 40.84 Points
5. Oklahoma State: 40 Commits, 40.61 Points
6. Utah: 21 Commits, 39.38 Points
7. Kansas: 27 Commits, 38.70 Points
8. UCF: 40 Commits, 37.38 Points
9. Baylor:” 18 Commits, 34.84 Points
10. Arizona: 26 Commits, 34.04 Points
11. Cincinnati: 16 Commits, 33.72 Points
12. TCU: 12 Commits, 32.68 Points
13. Kansas State: 16 Commits, 31.38 Points
14. Arizona State: 16 Commits, 31.32 Points
15. Iowa State: 8 Commits, 29.47 Points
16. BYU: 12 Commits, 23.31 Points

While most high school seniors are busy this time of year planning graduation parties and studying for final exams, Trey McKenney has been busy getting buckets with some of the most talented young players in the country.

A last-minute addition for Team USA, the future Wolverines shined in a win over Team World at the 2025 Nike Hoops Summit, scoring 22 points and grabbing four rebounds in the 124-114 win in Oregon last month.

In that game, McKenney showcased the many skills that made him one of the few five-stars in the 2025 class — knocking down threes in transition (3:09 in video above), switching onto ball handlers and contesting mid-range jumpers (4:10), picking apart the defense in the pick-and-roll to create open looks for teammates (5:58), embracing physicality and lowering his shoulder like a linebacker on drives to the rim for and-ones (6:24), and nailing clutch late-game threes (9:10).

After Team World led most of the second quarter, McKenney played a big factor in Team USA coming back and winning in overtime.

The Flint native is an unbreakable player, and his sturdy frame and gritty game will undoubtedly make him a fan favorite in Ann Arbor.

“I just think when you come out of Flint, there’s a toughness that you have,” he said to Shira Black in the ‘Get To Know’ series for Michigan’s freshmen. “There’s just a toughness and a skill of working hard when you come from Flint because you have to work for what you get.”

McKenney has racked up a number of accomplishments before enrolling in Ann Arbor, leading Orchard Lake St. Marys to a state championship in 2024 and being named Mr. Basketball in 2025. His work ethic is a big reason for those accolades.

“Loving the game — that’s all I know,” he said. “Just loving the game and loving going to the gym every day and going to practice and seeing my teammates … just loving the grind I have to go through to hopefully reach my potential one day.”

We’ve already broken down how talented McKenney is, but will that talent translate into playing time as a freshman? Here’s where the roster stands as of today, May 15.

Players transferring in

Returning players

• G L.J. Cason
• G Roddy Gayle Jr.
• G Nimari Burnett
• F/C Will Tschetter

Starting is certainly not a guarantee for McKenney. Cadeau brings two years of experience at point guard, and Michigan has a few returning options in Burnett, Gayle and Cason. I expect three of those four to start, and as talented as McKenney is, starting four guards would mean that Michigan would usually have one of the smallest starting lineups in the Big Ten.

Could McKenney be the first player off the bench? Absolutely. With his mid-range prowess and playmaking, he seems like a great fit to play alongside Cason’s speed and shooting range. That duo would give Michigan perhaps the best backup backcourt in the Big Ten.

Cason played a little more than 10 minutes per game last season, and 10-12 minutes feels like the bare minimum for McKenney. I don’t expect McKenney to have more than a few DNP-CDs like Cason, but the uptick in pace and size in college basketball often leads to a long learning curve for collegiate guards.

A lot can happen between now and November, but with six months to go before the season, I expect McKenney to start the season playing at least 12 minutes per game and earn more playing time as the year goes along. Once he gets used to Michigan’s offense, the talent will shine through and his playing time could nearly double. Additionally, when it comes to creating his own shot, McKenney is one of Michigan’s best, which will certainly lead to increased playing time when the offense is sputtering.

Once he’s settled into conference play, I wouldn’t be surprised if McKenney leads the Wolverines in scoring in at least a few games and earns a few starts. He’s the most talented player to commit to Michigan under May and has NBA upside. Hopefully he and Michigan go on a lengthy NCAA Tournament or two before he heads to the pros.

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech’s first NCAA Softball Regional will have the full fan experience. The roughly 2,100 seats at Rocky Johnson Field have been sold and there will be pregame tailgate all three days this weekend for Red Raider fans regardless of if they have a ticket or not.
 
Below lists all the information for fans regarding this historic weekend.
 
PREGAME TAILGATE
Texas Tech Athletics is hosting a pregame tailgate all three days of the NCAA Regional that will feature free T-shirts for the first 1,000 fans and free food for fans while supplies last. The tailgate will be set up three hours before first pitch and feature a live deejay that fans can enjoy. Fans will not need a ticket to enjoy this event.
 
PARKING INFORMATION | MAP
The  maps attached here and here shows fans all available parking locations on game days. Additional parking can be found in the S-lots by the John Walker Soccer Complex, the lots by International Cultural Center and lot C10 by the Animal and Food Sciences Building. Fans are NOT permitted to park in the Ronald McDonald House or American Cancer Society parking lots.
 
ADDITIONAL SEATING AND CONCESSIONS IN THE OUTFIELD | MAP
Texas Tech has added additional seats in the outfield on either side of the videoboard. Fans sitting in this area will have access to their own concessions and restroom but will not be able to go to the regular general admission section and vice versa. Additional concessions have been added to the main concourse with concessions behind either dugout. Another concessions stand has been added outside the stadium gates near the McLeod Tennis Center Pavillion.
 
EXTENSION OF MAIN GATE
Texas Tech will extend the main gate back to the guest pavilion and have a south and north gate where fans can enter this season. A merchandise table will be against the south gate with tickets being available at the north gate.

CLEAR BAG POLICY REMAINS IN PLACE AT ALL ATHLETIC VENUES

Texas Tech’s clear bag policy will remain in effect for all athletic venues during the 2024-25 athletic year. Fans will be able to bring the following style and size bag or package into the venue:

    –           Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.”

    –           One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).

    –           Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the venue with one of the clear plastic bags.

    –           An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection.

    –           Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be permitted into Rocky Johnson Field.

Fans will once again be allowed to bring an unopened 20 ounce (or less) bottle of water into any outdoor athletics venue on campus this year. Please note that frozen water will not be allowed through the stadium gates. Opened bottles other than 20-ounce (or less) bottles will not be permitted. Empty drink containers are allowed in Rocky Johnson Field and all athletic venues.

Guests carrying medically necessary bags or equipment into a venue will be required to have their bag inspected and tagged by security. For questions about medical equipment or other needs, please contact the Athletics Operations office at 806-834-7111.

 

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — The Atlantic Coast Conference is entering a period of stability.

How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Not even commissioner Jim Phillips knows for sure.

“I still live one day at a time,” Phillips quipped.

The ACC wrapped up its spring meetings Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, with athletic directors and coaches having spent three days discussing wide-ranging issues affecting football and basketball.

The event came amid the backdrop of the pending $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, which would allow schools to share up to $20.5 million annually directly with their athletes.

The ACC spent the past two years tracking that legal battle while also wading through contentious litigation from two of its top member schools, Clemson and Florida State.

The Tigers and Seminoles approved a settlement in March that changed the league’s revenue-distribution model to benefit schools with marquee football brands. Both would presumably fall into that category.

Although the 2030-31 season looms as a potential spot for more changes to the college football landscape, the revised deal should fortify a league that looked to be on the verge of collapse while falling further behind the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten.

“I just think you got to settle down,” Phillips said, noting he envisions four or five years of stability ahead. “And I think college athletics needs it to settle down, not just the ACC. I think we’ve positioned ourselves for that, and that’s a good thing. It just is.

“Chaos and the constant wondering of what’s happening here or there, I just think that distracts from the business at hand. But I feel good about where we’re at.”

The league’s revised revenue-distribution model incorporates TV viewership as a way for the league’s top programs to generate more money.

Florida State, for example, expects roughly $18 million extra annually from the tweaked structure. Those schools outside the top tier could see a decline of about $7 million a year.

“We’re really excited that this is now put behind us,” FSU athletic director Michael Alford said. “We have a path going forward. We have a path to really look at how we control the conference together, how we expand on the great brands that are in this conference and really promote the ACC and especially ACC football moving forward and give it its day in the sun.”

Presidential help ahead?

Even though ACC schools are bracing for the NCAA settlement and how it will change their business model, Phillips believes President Donald Trump’s proposed commission on collegiate athletics could help.

“We have not been able to get this thing into the end zone, so to speak,” Phillips said. “If the President feels that a commission could potentially help, I’m all for it.”

The proposed commission would be co-chaired by former Alabama coach Nick Saban and current Texas Tech board of regents chairman Cody Campbell.

“I think it’s well-intended,” Phillips said. “I do feel that the time is right based on all the work that’s previously been done and a supportive administration that’s in there. So I’m hopeful that that can be a positive to an end result that gets us a standardized law across the country with NIL.”

NCAA president Charlie Baker spoke at the ACC meetings Monday and said he was “up for anything” if it helped formalize NIL laws that differ from state to state.

“I think it speaks to the fact that everybody is paying a lot of attention right now to what’s going on in college sports,” Baker said. “I’m up for anything that can help us get somewhere.”

Future of the CFP

While power four conferences — the ACC, the Big Ten, Big 12 and the SEC — continue to negotiate the future of the College Football Playoff beginning in 2026, Phillips declined to reveal specifics regarding the league’s stance on automatic qualifiers.

“I remain steadfast about fairness in the system and access,” he said. “Out of respect for my colleagues, I want to hold off on commenting about AQs and specific models.”

The 16-team playoff model that has been widely discussed would grant four automatic berths to the Big Ten, four to the SEC, two to the ACC and two to the Big 12. That would leave four bids, with as many as three of those going to at-large teams and the other to the highest-ranked team from the Group of Six.

The ACC, according to several coaches, wants three guaranteed spots.

“You start to wonder if we are going to have an invitational,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Every year, one league may be better than the other, and it can change to some degree.

“To say we’re going to pick teams based on what’s happened the last 15 years, especially in an environment where we have more and more parity with the way the rules are, I think it’s a slippery slope.”