Texas Tech Lands Major Boost With 5-Star Defensive Pledge from Portal
The Texas Tech football program is demonstrating a strong commitment to improving its secondary, which has been a major focal point for the team during the current offseason. After already securing four defensive backs through the transfer portal, the program added another significant piece on Wednesday: Tarrion Grant. Grant, who played his true freshman season at Purdue in 2024, has pledged to join the Red Raiders, marking yet another key addition to Tech’s already impressive portal haul.
Grant’s commitment is noteworthy for several reasons. Unlike many of the other players Tech has brought in through the portal, Grant is considered a long-term solution. His development as a player is still unfolding, and there’s significant potential for him to make a lasting impact in Lubbock. In his first season at Purdue, Grant accumulated 13 tackles, two pass defenses, and a forced fumble. While these statistics may not be eye-popping, they hint at the potential that is still yet to be fully realized.
Grant’s high school pedigree speaks volumes about his abilities. Originally a 5-star recruit in the class of 2025, he moved up his graduation date and joined the class of 2024, which caused his ranking to drop to a 4-star. Despite this, he still finished as the No. 157 overall player in the nation and the No. 17 cornerback, according to 247Sports.com. This background reinforces the expectation that Grant can make an immediate and significant impact at Texas Tech.
What stands out in particular about Grant, and the other corners Tech has signed in this transfer cycle, is their size. At 6-foot-2 and 197 pounds, Grant fits the profile of a cornerback that new defensive coordinator Shiel Wood seems to favor—long and physically imposing. The emphasis on length is a trend throughout the defensive backs Tech has added in this cycle. In addition to Grant, the Red Raiders have also signed Dontae Balfour from Charlotte (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), Brice Pollock from Mississippi State (6-foot-1, 190 pounds), and Amier Boyd-Matthews from UTEP (6-foot-1, 180 pounds).
With these additions, Texas Tech’s secondary is undergoing a significant transformation, and Grant’s arrival adds another layer of optimism for the future. The Red Raiders are investing heavily in a strong defensive backfield, and if the players coming in through the portal continue to develop as expected, they could become a formidable force in the Big 12 and beyond. The focus on height, physicality, and potential in this latest class of defensive backs is a clear indication that Texas Tech is looking to build a secondary that can compete at the highest levels of college football.