On the Diamond
Things I didn’t think I’d ever type: Texas Tech softball has the #1 (in the country) ranked transfer class of the 2024 offseason.
Texas Tech had eight players ranked in Softball America’s top 100 transfers with NiJaree Canady coming in at the top of the list.
The reigning Player of the Year was followed by Mihyia Davis (10), Alana Johnson (15), Chloe Riassetto (20), Alexa Langeliers (36), Lauren Allred (47), Katie Lott (87) and Victoria Valdez (89). The Red Raiders also added Lubbock-native Makayla Garica from the portal and are welcoming in the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation according to Extra Innings Softball.
I think that (and we’re dealing with some really early returns) that Texas Tech upgraded at softball by a long shot.
On the Court
Texas Tech basketball announced its non-conference schedule yesterday and it’s fine:
+ Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 5 – 7 p.m.)
+ Northwestern State (Nov. 8 – 7 p.m.)
+ Wyoming (Nov. 13 – 7 p.m.)
+ Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Nov. 18 – 7 p.m.)
+ Northern Colorado (Nov. 29 – 7 p.m.)
+ DePaul (Dec. 4 – TBA)
+ Oral Roberts (Dec. 16 – 7 p.m.)
+ Lamar (Dec. 21 – 12 p.m.)
Additionally, Texas Tech will play some away games as well:
Along with non-conference home games, Tech has announced it will also travel to New York for two non-conference games and to Fort Worth to play Texas A&M. The Red Raiders will play Saint Joseph’s on November 21 in the semifinals of the 2024 Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper at the Barclays Center and either Syracuse or Texas on November 22. Tech and Texas A&M will renew the rivalry on December 8 at Dickies Arena.
On the Gridiron
Texas Tech announced some scheduling news, including one-game agreements to host Kent State in 2025, Sam Houston State in 2026, and Incarnate Word in 2029. This is the schedule up until 2026, but if you want to see the full slate, you can go here.
2024
Aug. 31: Abilene Christian
Sept. 7: at Washington State
Sept. 14: North Texas
2025
Aug. 30: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Sept. 6: Kent State
Sept. 13: Oregon State
2026
Sept. 5: Abilene Christian
Sept. 12: at Oregon State
Sept. 26: Sam Houston State
Sheridan Wilson mic’d up:
24/7 Sports’ Cody Nagel with preseason power rankings and he’s got Texas Tech at #9:
Expectations might have been set too high for Texas Tech and head coach Joey McGuire in 2023. The Red Raiders did end the season strong, winning four of their last five games. Can that momentum carry into 2024? A majority of the starters are gone, but recent success in recruiting and bolstered depth through transfer portal additions has Texas Tech reloaded. The return of veteran running back Tahj Brooks and rising quarterback Behren Morton, along with incoming five-star freshman receiver Micah Hudson could result in better offensive production in Lubbock. Three of the six losses for the Red Raiders a year ago came by eight points or less.
Red Raider Sports’ Ben Golan talked with 2026 commit, linebacker Tieson Ejiawoko from Georgetown, Texas.
“You know, I try not to fall into the big prestigious schools, I just wanted to find somewhere where I feel like I can fit and develop and things like that. The coaching staff at Texas Tech has shown me nothing but the best hospitality and a great program overall. Them having the new facilities built, and the switch to Adidas, everything was just falling into place and I felt like it was somewhere I could call home, so why not make it happen?”