Texas Tech’s January portal haul continues to stack up. The Red Raiders, fresh off their first outright Big 12 title since 1955 and a College Football Playoff quarterfinal appearance, added Alabama State wide receiver Jalen Jones to a receiving corps that desperately needed reinforcements.
Jones committed to Texas Tech following his official visit to Lubbock over the first weekend of the portal window, choosing the Red Raiders over Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Nebraska. For Joey McGuire’s staff, it’s another data point proving they can identify and land talent regardless of where it’s found.
Jalen Jones Brings FCS Production to Big 12 Competition
Jones wasn’t just “good for a SWAC receiver”; he was good-good this past season for Alabama State. He ripped off 1,167 yards, nine touchdowns, and averaged over 7.5 yards after the catch per reception.
He did so as the No. 1 target, often double-teamed, and as the focal point of a dynamic offense for the Hornets. His move to Texas Tech signals the Red Raiders’ (and head coach McGuire’s) ability to find talent at any level. Expect to see and hear from Jones a lot in 2026.
The 5’9″, 175-pound receiver ranked fourth in FCS receiving yards and led the subdivision in yards per catch at 22.88. His 97.2 receiving yards per game slotted third nationally. Put simply: he torched defenses at the FCS level with regularity.
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Jones earned HBCU All-American and All-SWAC First Team honors for his breakout 2025 campaign. He redshirted in 2023, appeared sparingly in 2024, then exploded onto the scene this fall. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Now, the question becomes how his skill set translates to Power Four competition.
The Red Raiders’ wide receiver situation demanded portal reinforcements. Texas Tech lost more than half of its receiving room to graduations and outgoing transfers following the Orange Bowl loss to Oregon. As of early January, only Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson were expected back from Tech’s two-deep rotation.
Jones joins Liberty transfer Donte Lee Jr., a 6’3″ contested-catch specialist who hauled in 32 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns with the Flames in 2025.
The two wideouts represent contrasting profiles — Jones as the vertical speed threat and slot weapon, Lee as the big-bodied perimeter target. Fortunately for Texas Tech fans, both receivers now have a proven playmaker throwing them the football.
Brendan Sorsby Anchors the 2026 Offense
The centerpiece of Texas Tech’s portal haul remains Brendan Sorsby, the former Cincinnati quarterback who was one of the most sought-after players when the transfer window opened on Jan. 2. Sorsby’s NIL deal reportedly approached $6 million — believed to be the largest in college football history.
The dual-threat signal-caller earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2025 and projects as one of the premier quarterbacks nationally entering 2026. He chose Texas Tech over LSU and Miami after visiting all three programs during the opening portal weekend.
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James Blanchard, Texas Tech’s general manager who turned down Notre Dame’s overtures to stay in Lubbock, has been direct about the program’s intentions. The Red Raiders spent a reported $10-12 million on last year’s portal class. Early indications suggest 2026 will exceed that figure.
Jones may not command the headlines Sorsby does. Still, his addition fills a legitimate roster need and gives McGuire’s offense another weapon capable of stretching the field. The FCS-to-Power Four leap isn’t easy — but neither is averaging nearly 23 yards per catch against anyone.
