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Texas Tech continued its aggressive switch portal overhaul within the trenches Tuesday, touchdown a trio of defensive linemen, headlined by Wake Forest standout Mateen Ibirogba and Miami (Ohio) edge rusher Adam Trick. The pairing indicators the Pink Raiders are reloading their expertise with extra elite playmakers.
Ibirogba, the No. 1 defensive lineman in Cooper Petagna’s 247Sports switch portal rankings, shortly rose from un-rated highschool recruit to one of the coveted switch portal prospects of this cycle with explosive and regular growth at each Georgetown and Wake Forest.
After dominating off the sting early in his profession, Ibirogba added vital weight — as much as practically 300 kilos as a redshirt junior this season — and transitioned to defensive sort out, the place he appeared in all 12 video games, tallying 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a cross breakup and a pressured fumble. His 1,322 collegiate snaps and flexibility in and out make him one of the full defensive linemen within the portal.
Becoming a member of him is Trick, who drew critical Energy 4 curiosity after a standout season at Miami (Ohio), incomes first‑crew All‑MAC recognition. The 6‑foot‑4, 249‑pound redshirt junior recorded 37 complete tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, an interception, three pressured fumbles and 67 complete pressures — fourth most of any participant within the FBS this season. Trick ranks because the No. 100 total prospect and No. 16 edge rusher, in response to Petagna’s rankings on 247Sports.
The Pink Raiders did not cease there as three-star switch portal prospect Jojo Johnson, previously of Oregon State, introduced his dedication. The 6-foot-2, 288-pound redshirt sophomore totaled 18 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception in 11 video games this season for the Beavers.
Reloading the Pink Raiders’ line of defense
These two newest additions already carry Texas Tech’s depend to seven incoming transfers throughout the line of defense for 2026 and proceed a sample that shortly made the Pink Raiders’ entrance one of the imposing within the nation en path to a Huge 12 title and Faculty Soccer Playoff look.
This system is rebuilding after a number of key departures following this season, together with former transfers David Bailey, Romello Top and Lee Hunter, who had been central to one of many nation’s most disruptive defensive fronts. Defensive sort out A.J. Holmes, the 6‑foot‑3, 300‑pound inside anchor, additionally has a 2026 NFL Draft resolution pending, doubtlessly leaving a giant gap in the course of the road.
However Texas Tech is aggressively reloading somewhat than merely changing expertise. Already within the combine are confirmed contributors like San Diego State edge rusher Trey White, a two‑time first‑crew All-Mountain West choice with 19.5 profession sacks, and Washington defensive sort out Bryce Butler, a large 6‑foot‑5, 320‑pound inside presence who provides fast depth and energy.
With Ibirogba offering inside disruption and Trick bringing edge pace and pass-rush explosiveness, the Pink Raiders are once more mixing measurement, versatility and confirmed manufacturing to keep up a defensive entrance able to competing on the prime of the Huge 12, in addition to nationally for one more run on the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
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