On3 Poll Says Texas Tech Opened Wallet Big This Offseason

A survey conducted by On3 of 17 media personalities and prominent sports figures has placed Texas Tech second nationally in offseason spending, trailing only the Texas Longhorns.

The Red Raiders solidified their position through a combination of processor payouts, NIL investments, and revenue-sharing strategies.

In the survey, sources pointed to Texas Tech’s aggressive approach in the transfer portal and university-funded deals. The Matador Club, the school’s booster collective, reportedly allocated around $10 million toward football transfer recruits this offseason. This expenditure fueled a top-ranked portal class and helped Lubbock garner national attention.

Texas Tech also leveraged its oil-rich donor base to offer massive NIL packages. Examples included a standout $5.1 million, three-year revenue-based deal for five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo and a $4 million incentive for a basketball forward, JT Toppin. The Red Raiders positioned themselves as a destination for elite talent, offering cash incentives rarely seen outside of blue-blood programs.

Despite this spending spree, critics caution that financial firepower doesn’t automatically translate to on-field success. As the Houston Chronicle noted, Texas Tech’s tactic is a bold attempt to fast-track its program, but sustainability concerns loom. A similar approach at Texas A&M didn’t deliver the desired outcomes when Jimbo Fisher’s record contract failed to bring championships.

Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire acknowledged the stakes during Big 12 media days. Lubbock’s wave of transfers and spending has ignited expectations of a conference title, and he affirmed readiness to handle the pressure.

For a program that missed the playoffs in its 8–5 campaign last season, the spending survey places Texas Tech firmly in the national spotlight. The burning question now is whether the financial gamble will fuel on-field results or leave the Red Raiders with a pricey offseason and unmet expectations.