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 — stunned 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 finally selected the Purple Raiders in a surprising late flip of occasions.
Derrick Shelby, Ojo’s agent, revealed to ESPN that his shopper acquired a three-year, $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal to hitch the Purple Raiders. Per CBS Sports’ Matt Zentiz, the three-year deal averages $775,000 a yr with a verbal understanding that TTU will renegotiate as much as $5 million.
Ojo ranks because the No. 5 general prospect within the class by 247Sports, giving Texas Tech a serious increase in recruiting whereas reinforcing its standing as one of many high NIL spenders in college football. That funding has already paid off, serving to the Purple Raiders land blue-chip expertise like Ojo and assemble one of the costly switch courses within the nation this previous cycle. This system’s aggressive NIL technique underscores its intent to show Lubbock right into a legit 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 huge receiver Micah Hudson, who rejoined the Purple Raiders in April after a brief stint at Texas A&M. If Ojo finally 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 commitment in the 2026 class for Texas Tech for the reason that starting of June and 18th general. Previous to his pledge, the Purple Raiders sat at No. 36 within the group recruiting rankings, but they vault to No. 23 following the splash pickup. Texas Tech has completed among the many high 25 of the 247Sports Composite group rankings simply twice (2024, 2011) through the fashionable recruiting period.
Ojo holds greater than 50 identified provides, with the bulk coming from high Energy 5 packages. Notably, Texas Tech was among the many first to increase a proposal again in January 2024 — properly 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 increase his 6-foot-6, 275-pound body. He brings a uncommon mix of size, athleticism and upside to the place, exhibiting “glorious bodily instruments and relative youth,” based on 247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks, who famous Ojo’s lean body, motion potential and excessive ceiling as a future high-major, multi-year starter with professional potential.
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Whereas it is a huge 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 choose within the 2025 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, whereas Campbell is anticipated 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 not 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 yr 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 degree 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 the moment 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.
