Texas Tech Hands Texas Rare Loss on Recruiting Trail

As Rivals experts surprisingly predicted on Thursday night, Class of 2026 five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo is staying in the Lone Star State, just not with Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns.

"BREAKING: Five-Star OT Felix Ojo has Committed to Texas Tech, he tells me for @rivals," On3's Hayes Fawcett wrote Friday on X. "The 6'7 290 OT chose the Red Raiders over Texas, Ohio State, Michigan, & Florida. 'A new ERA of CFB is coming either jump on the train or get left behind. Go Raiders!'"

Texas Tech wasn't included in Ojo's top four, which consisted of the other four programs Fawcett mentioned. Along with Ryan Day's Ohio State, Texas was considered the favorite in his recruitment until the shocking news dropped on Thursday night.

With Cody Campbell's NIL backing, Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire gets an elite protector.

"Owns a lean, athletic look and plays with impressive functional athleticism and movement ability," 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks wrote in a January scouting report. "Live evaluation during 2025 Navy Army All-American Bowl revealed a consistent mean streak in pads. Stood out physically, athletically, and in field demeanor despite being among the youngest competitors in the event.