Texas Tech Transfer Portal Watch for 2026
The Texas Tech Red Raiders had a historic season, finishing 11-1 in the regular season (8-1 in the Big 12) and winning the program's first outright conference title in 70 years. Part of the dominance was a result of Tech's savvy additions in the transfer portal, including standouts like Howard Sampson, Reggie Virgil, David Bailey, and Romello Height.
In college football, the transfer portal window has become a pseudo-free agency, allowing teams to rebuild and restock after the ebbs and flows of the season. This year, there will be just one transfer portal window, which opened on Friday, Jan. 2, and closes on Friday, Jan. 16.
Which Texas Tech players are entering the transfer portal, and who will the Red Raiders add for the 2026 season as they aim to remain contenders? This article will be updated as news is broken, players announce their decisions, and Texas Tech constructs its roster for next season.
Last Updated: Friday, Jan. 2
Which Texas Tech Players Are Entering the Transfer Portal?
Braylon Rigsby:
After three seasons with Texas Tech, including a redshirt, edge rusher Rigsby is entering the portal with two years of remaining eligibility. He announced it on X on Jan. 2 as the transfer window opened.
Rigsby appeared in all 13 games in 2025 and recorded six tackles (four solo) and two quarterback hits. He also appeared in 12 of 13 games in 2024 as a redshirt freshman and started one game, against North Texas. Listed at 6'2, 275 pounds, Rigsby was a defensive tackle prospect who moved to the outside linebacker position.
Dylan Spencer:
A former four-star recruit, Spencer has spent three seasons with Texas Tech as an edge rusher. However, his road has not been simple, as a standout freshman season was derailed when he suffered a season-ending injury going into his sophomore year.
After a medical redshirt, Spencer was phased out behind high-profile transfers on Tech's dominant defensive line and only played in three games, preserving another potential redshirt season. He is expected to have three years of eligibility upon entering the portal, according to his agent, as reported by several sources on Dec. 19.
Justin Horne:
Primarily serving as a special teams member, Horne played 179 total snaps in 2024 but played on just nine in 2025, all coming in Week 6. He is entering the transfer portal with "2-3 years of eligibility," as he announced on X on Dec. 24.
Horne was a three-star recruit out of Louisiana and redshirted in his freshman season in 2023. He is a former track star, including winning the Louisiana 5A 110-meter hurdles title (14.06 seconds) as a junior in high school and a third-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (38.25 seconds).
Kelby Valsin:
After three seasons with the Red Raiders, Valsin announced on social media on Dec. 26 that he intended to enter the transfer portal this offseason. The Arlington, Texas, product appeared in a career-high 12 games in 2025, along with career-high marks of 65 offensive snaps and 66 special teams snaps.
The redshirt sophomore caught three passes for 35 yards this season, doubling his career numbers (six catches for 56 yards). He also returned one punt for 21 yards and contributed to one of the top special teams units in the country. The Red Raiders ran a concentrated receiver rotation, but Valsin finished fifth on the team in passing-down snaps among wide receivers. He is expected to have at least two years of remaining eligibility.
Macho Stevenson:
During his redshirt sophomore season, Stevenson primarily played on special teams despite playing 310 snaps in 2024, primarily at outside corner. Last season, he appeared in 12 of 13 games, starting three, including the bowl game; however, he struggled in coverage at times, leading to three defensive snaps in 13 appearances in 2025.
The cornerback is expected to have two years of remaining eligibility after announcing on X on Jan. 2 that he intended to enter the transfer portal. He is a former high school track star, winning the Louisiana 5A indoor and outdoor 400-meter dash titles.
Maurion Horn:
A starter for all 13 games in 2024 and Week 1 of 2025, Horn has experience on the field and has played over 1,000 snaps in his Texas Tech career. He announced he was entering the transfer portal via X on Jan. 2, the day after the Red Raiders lost in the Orange Bowl and the day the transfer window officially opened.
Horn spent four seasons with Texas Tech where he primarily lined up as an outside cornerback. He was a former four-star recruit and has one year of eligibility remaining. However, he played just 108 defensive snaps in 2025 after playing 806 in 2024. The Oklahoma product was heavily recruited by in-state programs coming out of high school.
Mitch Griffis:
The former Wake Forest starter came back from an early retirement to serve as Texas Tech's QB3. He threw a pass in five games and had three total touchdowns. He went 13-for-17 with 145 yards against UCF and 9-for-13 with a passing and rushing score and 172 passing yards against Oklahoma State.
Griffis announced his entry into the transfer portal on X on Jan. 2, thanking the staff for assisting him in his return to football. He will have one year of remaining eligibility as he searches for his third team and sixth season. He has started 10 career games, making him a potential veteran QB2.
Preztynn Harrison:
The Red Raiders are set to lose a true freshman in Harrison, who was a three-star commit as a wide receiver-tight end hybrid. He has a 6'5" frame and an athletic background, with proven success on the hardwood (Texas District 6-4A first-team selection as a junior in 2024) and in the field (4A high jump finals as a junior).
The freshman did not play a single minute in 2025 and was listed as a wide receiver, likely due to his wiry build, listed at 210 pounds. Coming out of Mineral Wells, Texas, Harrison did not receive much attention at the Division I level. However, he received offers from local programs, such as UTEP, North Texas, and Texas State. He announced his decision on X on Dec. 26 and is expected to have four years of remaining eligibility after his redshirt season.
Price Morgan:
The former Central Missouri wide receiver joined Texas Tech in 2024, serving as a member of the Red Raiders' scout team while he took a redshirt season. He spent two seasons with the Mules, including catching a pass in all 13 games as a sophomore, and has spent the last two with Texas Tech.
Morgan was an honorable mention all-conference member in 2023 after recording 50 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns. However, he appeared in just three games this season, playing 16 snaps on offense and one on special teams. He announced his intention to transfer via X on Dec. 19; he is expected to have at least one year of remaining eligibility.
Tanner Allen:
After four seasons with Texas Tech, the redshirt junior defensive lineman from Bryan, Texas, is taking the next step in his college career, announcing his intention to transfer via X on Dec. 22. Allen played in two games in 2025 and has played 25 snaps for the Red Raiders.
Allen comes from a Texas Tech family and is a second-generation Red Raider graduate. After redshirting as a freshman in 2022, he showed his versatility in 2023 by converting to the offensive line as a member of the scout team. He returned to the defensive line in 2024 and made his collegiate debut against West Virginia. He is expected to have one year of remaining eligibility as a graduate transfer.
T.J. West:
The Red Raiders ran a tight wide receiver rotation in 2025, which did not leave room for several pass-catchers to find the field. West only played 43 snaps on offense, playing inside and outside for Texas Tech. He announced on X on Jan. 1 that he intended to enter the transfer portal. He will have two years of remaining eligibility.
West caught three passes for 24 yards in 2025 and was a three-star recruit out of Humble, Texas. He committed to Texas Tech early in his recruiting process and held offers from programs like Utah, Memphis, and UTSA.
Upton Bellenfant:
The redshirt junior from Murfreesboro, Tenn., joined Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season after spending one year with Buffalo and two with Alabama as a walk-on, including a redshirt season.
Bellenfant joined the Red Raiders before the season with high expectations. He was named to the Lou Groza Award Watch List. However, the former All-MAC Third Team kicker lost the position battle to Stone Harrington, who was named to the all-conference team at the end of the season. Bellenfant announced his intention to transfer via X on Dec. 11, and he will have one year of remaining eligibility.
Which Players Are Visiting Texas Tech?
Austin Romaine:
As a two-time All-Big 12 linebacker, Romaine is an experienced and proven option for teams looking to upgrade in the middle of their defense. He excels as a run defender and recorded a near-elite 89.8 PFF run-defense grade in 2024. The inside linebacker was a three-star recruit out of Hillsboro, Mo. He visited with the Red Raiders on Jan. 2.
Brendan Sorsby:
The Cincinnati Bearcats' star quarterback entered the transfer portal after a strong 7-5 season and a critical season of player development. Sorsby threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding 580 yards and nine scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability and throwing power make him a top option in the transfer portal. He visited with the Red Raiders on Jan. 2.
Which Players Did Texas Tech Add in the Transfer Portal?
Amarie Fleming:
Coming from a Division II program, Allen University, the junior pass rusher will have a lot to prove as he leaps to the next level. However, he excelled for the Yellow Jackets, recording 14.5 sacks this season, second among DII players, and 18 tackles for loss, tied for fifth.
Fleming will join the Red Raiders with two years of remaining eligibility and a potential redshirt as Tech looks to replenish its defensive front. The first-team All-SIAC defensive lineman may not make an immediate impact next season, but the coaching staff has proven its ability to get the most out of its talent. He announced his commitment via X on Nov. 20.
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