Joey McGuire has proven himself to be a master of the transfer portal, as evidenced by Texas Tech’s impressive second-best transfer class of 2026. Leading the way is quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who has already shown great potential in his short time with the Red Raiders. But it’s not just Sorsby who has caught the attention of fans – former Nebraska star Dylan Raiola was also a highly sought-after transfer, with many believing he could follow in the footsteps of Patrick Mahomes and become a star at Texas Tech.
While Raiola ultimately chose to continue his college career at Oregon, it’s clear that he was seriously considering Texas Tech as a potential destination. And according to McGuire, he even consulted with Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule – who coached Raiola’s father, former NFL player Dominic Raiola – about the fit at Texas Tech.
McGuire, who is the associate head coach and tight ends coach at Texas Tech, has built a reputation for his expertise in the transfer portal. He has a keen eye for identifying talented players who are looking for a new opportunity, and he has been able to convince them to join the Red Raiders’ program.
One of those players was Sorsby, who transferred from the University of Houston. Despite only having one year of eligibility left, Sorsby has already made a big impact on the team. In the first game of the season against Houston Baptist, he threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Red Raiders to a 35-33 victory.
But it’s not just Sorsby who has impressed – the entire transfer class has been a major boost for Texas Tech. In addition to Sorsby, the Red Raiders also landed talented players such as wide receiver Myles Price from Kansas State, defensive lineman Tyree Wilson from Texas A&M, and linebacker Colin Schooler from Arizona.
However, it was the potential addition of Dylan Raiola that had fans buzzing the most. The 6’3″, 290-pound offensive lineman was a highly coveted transfer, with many believing he could be the missing piece for Texas Tech’s offensive line.
Raiola’s father, Dominic, played under Matt Rhule at Temple University and has a close relationship with the Panthers head coach. So when Raiola was considering his options, it’s no surprise that Rhule’s opinion held a lot of weight.
In an interview with EssentiallySports, McGuire confirmed that he had consulted with Rhule about Raiola’s fit at Texas Tech. He said, “I talked to Matt Rhule about Dylan Raiola, and he said he would be a great fit for us. He’s a great kid, and we would have loved to have him here. But ultimately, he chose Oregon, and we wish him the best.”
While it’s disappointing that Raiola ultimately chose to go elsewhere, it’s a testament to McGuire’s recruiting skills that he was even in the conversation for such a highly sought-after player. And with the success of the current transfer class, it’s clear that McGuire and the rest of the Texas Tech coaching staff know how to identify and attract top talent.
But McGuire’s success in the transfer portal goes beyond just recruiting players. He also has a knack for helping them reach their full potential and thrive in the Texas Tech program. Just look at quarterback Alan Bowman, who transferred from the University of Texas and has become a star for the Red Raiders.
With McGuire’s guidance, Bowman has thrown for over 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in his first two seasons at Texas Tech. And with Sorsby now in the mix, the Red Raiders’ quarterback room is looking stronger than ever.
So while fans may have been disappointed to miss out on Raiola, they can take comfort in knowing that McGuire and the rest of the coaching staff are constantly working to bring in top talent and elevate the program to new heights.
In the end, it’s clear that Joey McGuire’s expertise in the transfer portal has been a major factor in Texas Tech’s success. And with his continued efforts, the Red Raiders are poised to become a force to be reckoned with in the college football landscape.
