The fireworks got here with a twist in Texas on Friday as five-star offensive deal with Felix Ojo — the No. 1 offensive deal with within the 2026 class — shocked by committing to Texas Tech on the Fourth of July. The Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge standout had been closely pursued by Florida, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas, however he in the end selected the Crimson Raiders in a surprising late flip of occasions.
Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent, revealed to ESPN that his shopper obtained a three-year, $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal to affix the Crimson Raiders. Per CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zentiz, the three-year deal averages $775,000 a 12 months with a verbal understanding that TTU will renegotiate as much as $5 million.
Ojo ranks because the No. 5 total prospect within the class by 247Sports, giving Texas Tech a serious enhance in recruiting whereas reinforcing its standing as one of many prime NIL spenders in faculty soccer. That funding has already paid off, serving to the Crimson Raiders land blue-chip expertise like Ojo and assemble one of the crucial costly switch courses within the nation this previous cycle. This system’s aggressive NIL technique underscores its intent to show Lubbock right into a respectable soccer powerhouse – a imaginative and prescient strongly pushed by coach Joey McGuire, whose recruiting efforts have reshaped this system’s nationwide profile.
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Not solely is Ojo the primary blue-chip dedication in Texas Tech’s 2026 class, he now ranks because the highest-rated pledge in program historical past. He surpasses former five-star large receiver Micah Hudson, who rejoined the Crimson Raiders in April after a brief stint at Texas A&M. If Ojo in the end indicators and enrolls, the pair would stand as the one 247Sports Composite five-star prospects to ever be a part of Texas Tech instantly out of highschool.
Ojo turns into the eighth dedication within the 2026 class for Texas Tech for the reason that starting of June and 18th total. Previous to his pledge, the Crimson Raiders sat at No. 36 within the crew recruiting rankings, however they vault to No. 23 following the splash pickup. Texas Tech has completed among the many prime 25 of the 247Sports Composite crew rankings simply twice (2024, 2011) throughout the fashionable recruiting period.
Ojo holds greater than 50 recognized gives, with the bulk coming from prime Energy 5 applications. Notably, Texas Tech was among the many first to increase a suggestion again in January 2024 — nicely earlier than his recruitment exploded on the nationwide stage.
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Regardless of being younger for his class, Ojo has plug-and-play potential at offensive deal with if he can develop his 6-foot-6, 275-pound body. He brings a uncommon mix of size, athleticism and upside to the place, exhibiting “wonderful bodily instruments and relative youth,” in accordance with 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks, who famous Ojo’s lean body, motion capacity and excessive ceiling as a future high-major, multi-year starter with professional potential.
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Whereas this can be a large win for Texas Tech, it is simply as a lot of a loss for Texas, which hasn’t signed a five-star offensive lineman since touchdown Kelvin Banks Jr. and DJ Campbell within the 2022 class. Banks grew to become a top-10 decide within the 2025 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, whereas Campbell is predicted to depart after this upcoming season.
“The Longhorns went into this cycle saying, ‘Ojo is our man. He’s our No. 1 man. We can’t miss on him,'” 247Sports nationwide recruiting analyst Mike Roach mentioned earlier this week on The 105 with Andrew Ivins & Cooper Petagna. “The Longhorns missed on a historic deal with class in Texas final 12 months with Lamont Rogers, Ty Haywood and Michael Fasusi going elsewhere.
“Texas constructed the offensive line that took them to the final two School Soccer Playoffs within the 2022 cycle. That was an unimaginable class, however they haven’t recruited close to that stage since. They should re-energize that room.”
Texas nonetheless has till the early signing interval in December to attempt to sway Ojo, however their choices are restricted whether it is unable to. The Longhorns at present have simply two offensive line prospects — each rated three-stars — and with Ojo’s dedication, solely three offensive linemen within the present Top247 stay uncommitted.
