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Joey McGuire, Texas Tech Predicted to Land All-American Safety in College Football Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Jan 11, 2026 11:06 AM ET

The Texas Tech Red Raiders, under head coach Joey McGuire, are coming off one of the best seasons in the program's history.

Texas Tech finished the season with a record of 12-2 and won the Big 12 Championship for the first time in the program's history. They also made their inaugural appearance in the College Football Playoff. Their postseason journey was brief, as they lost 23-0 to the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals after receiving a bye.

Texas Tech was led by a strong defense that ranked No. 3 in total defense, No. 26 in passing yards allowed, No. 1 in rushing yards allowed and No. 3 in scoring defense. However, the team will need to replace several defensive players, as five starters were seniors this past season. This makes it critical for the Red Raiders to secure one of the top players in the transfer portal, former Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Koi Perich.

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) warms up before the game.Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Perich had an incredible two seasons with Minnesota, totaling 128 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and six interceptions. In 2024, as a freshman, Perich earned All-American honors, becoming the first Minnesota freshman to achieve this distinction since 1972, when the NCAA allowed freshmen to play college football. According to On3's prediction machine, Texas Tech has a 100% chance of landing the star safety.

If Texas Tech closes on Perich, it would mark another critical step in sustaining the program’s rapid rise under McGuire. The Red Raiders will face immediate roster turnover on a unit that carried them to a Big 12 title and a CFP berth. Adding a proven, high-impact safety would help stabilize the secondary while preserving the aggressive defensive identity that defined their 2025 season.

Perich’s résumé suggests he could step in as an instant leader. His All-American freshman season at Minnesota showcased both production and football IQ, traits that translate well to a Texas Tech defense built on discipline and gap control. His ability to impact the run game and generate turnovers would directly address the areas most affected by offseason departures.

Looking ahead, securing Perich would further signal that Texas Tech is no longer just a breakthrough story, but a program capable of reloading rather than rebuilding. With spring practice approaching and portal movement slowing, the Red Raiders appear poised to finalize another foundational piece as they prepare to defend their Big 12 crown and push for a deeper playoff run in 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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