Texas Tech’s Transfer-Dominant D-Line Ranked Among Nation’s Top 10 Most Impactful: A Defensive Revival in the Making?

After a 2024 season marred by inconsistency and a defense that too often failed to close games, the Red Raiders are heading into 2025 with a retooled defensive line that national analysts are now hailing as one of the top 10 most impactful units in college football. The twist? Nearly the entire line has been rebuilt through the transfer portal.

When the 2024 campaign ended with Texas Tech ranking in the bottom third of FBS teams in sacks, run defense, and pressure rate, McGuire made it clear that status quo was no longer acceptable. Within days of the transfer portal window opening, the Red Raiders went shopping—and came away with a haul that now has national experts buzzing.

Former Michigan State standout defensive end Keon Coleman headlines the group. Known for his explosiveness off the edge and uncanny ability to blow up plays in the backfield, Coleman brings not only elite athleticism but Big Ten battle-tested experience.

Joining him are Georgia Tech transfer Jermaine Lewis and former SEC interior disruptor Jordan Faulk from Mississippi State. Together, they form a fearsome trio that promises to transform the identity of Texas Tech’s front four.

We had to make a change. We needed dogs up front—guys who can dominate the trenches,” defensive coordinator DeAndre Smith said in a recent press conference. “These transfers aren’t just fillers. They’re alphas.”

This aggressive overhaul hasn’t gone unnoticed. A panel of college football analysts from 247Sports and On3 ranked Texas Tech’s defensive line among the top 10 most impactful units entering the 2025 season, citing both the individual star power and the immediate chemistry developing between the new arrivals.

The Red Raiders join elite company on the list—programs like Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, and Penn State—each boasting deep, powerful fronts that dictate games.

What sets Texas Tech apart, however, is the sheer volume of transfer talent and the calculated risk of trusting so many newcomers to lead such a critical position group.

“Few units in the country have a higher ceiling—or a lower floor—than Texas Tech’s defensive line,” wrote national columnist Brett McMurphy. “If they click, they could be the biggest surprise in the Big 12.”

The unit gave up over 430 yards per game and struggled to generate consistent pressure, particularly late in games. Opponents routinely exploited gaps in the interior, and quarterbacks too often had all day in the pocket.

McGuire’s response was not just to replace pieces—but to rebuild the D-line with a new identity. This year’s group, he hopes, will be known for chaos: relentless pursuit, forced turnovers, and a level of intensity that simply wasn’t there last season.

Already, reports from spring practices and early summer workouts indicate the new-look line is delivering.

Will this transfer-heavy line have enough time to gel before Week 1? Can they withstand the physical demands of a full Big 12 schedule? And most importantly—can they reverse the narrative that Texas Tech is soft defensively?

Leadership will be key. Coleman, Lewis, and Faulk must not only produce, but also mentor the younger players around them. Chemistry and communication—so crucial along the line of scrimmage—can’t be forced.

Texas Tech is entering a new Big 12 era, one without Texas and Oklahoma, but with rising parity and opportunity. The Red Raiders have a favorable schedule and a seasoned offense led by quarterback Behren Morton. If the defense can match that level of production—especially in the trenches—this team has the tools to contend.