Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire Lands Nation’s Top Transfer Class — Now It’s ‘Championship or Bust’ in Year 4 as Fans Grow Weary of Moral Victories

LUBBOCK, TX — For Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders, the excuses are gone. With Texas Tech officially securing the No. 1 ranked transfer class in the country, the stage is set for what could be a defining season in McGuire’s tenure. But as anticipation builds, so does pressure. Year 4 of the McGuire era isn’t about growth or grit—it’s about results. And for many in Lubbock, it’s clear: it’s championship or bust.

McGuire and his staff worked the transfer portal like seasoned pros this offseason, pulling in elite talent from across the nation. From Power Five programs to Group of Five standouts, Tech reloaded at nearly every position, adding instant-impact players expected to raise the team’s floor and ceiling.

According to 247Sports and On3, the Red Raiders now boast the top-ranked transfer class in the nation, surpassing the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State. Headlining the class are former LSU wideout Kaden Lacy, ex-Michigan linebacker Theo Landry, and dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Dunlap from Virginia Tech.

But what separates this year’s class is not just its ranking—it’s the readiness. This isn’t a group of raw prospects looking for reps. It’s a cadre of veterans with starting experience, postseason pedigree, and a hunger to win now.

After an 8–5 campaign in 2023 and a regression to 6–7 in 2024, McGuire can no longer lean on culture-building speeches or close-game heartbreaks. Red Raider fans have shown patience—but also pain. Many still remember the highs of the Mike Leach era and crave a return to relevance in the Big 12 title race.

Still, for fans battered by a decade of mediocrity, talk is cheap. And with Texas Tech dodging Texas and Oklahoma on the schedule while benefiting from a favorable home slate, expectations are sky-high.

McGuire has done everything right off the field. He’s united the fan base, boosted fundraising, and built deep ties with Texas high school coaches. But as Year 4 approaches, those intangibles won’t matter much unless wins follow.

This fall, Texas Tech returns a solid core of veterans—including leading rusher Cam’Ron Valdez and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson—now surrounded by a transfer group poised to elevate the program to new heights. The pressure is on the coaching staff to mold this patchwork of talent into a cohesive, dominant unit.

The Red Raiders’ early matchups in 2025—including a marquee non-conference showdown with Oregon State and a pivotal conference tilt against Kansas State—will be telling. Win those, and Tech may find itself in the playoff discussion. Lose them, and doubts about McGuire’s ceiling will resurface quickly.

Internally, the staff remains confident. Offensive coordinator Zach Kittley believes his retooled offense can finish among the Big 12’s best, especially with a veteran O-line and dynamic receivers ready to break out. Defensively, the addition of Landry and other transfer stars could finally give Tech the muscle to contend in tight games.

Joey McGuire has done what many thought impossible—he’s turned Texas Tech into a legitimate destination for top-tier talent. But with that achievement comes the burden of proof. Fans have seen the hype before. They’ve celebrated recruiting wins, only to be let down on fall Saturdays.