The Nations Top Transfer Class Arrives on Texas Tech Campus

LUBBOCK, TX – Texas Tech football made a bold statement headed into the 2025 football season. The Red Raiders welcome one of the most highly-anticipated recruiting classes in program history as 26 mid-year additions arrived on campus Saturday for the start of the spring semester.

Head coach Joey McGuire and his staff have been the talk of college football since the December transfer portal window, assembling what On3.com ranks as the nation’s top transfer class. The Red Raiders also hold the No. 2 spot nationally in transfer rankings by 247Sports and ESPN, elevating expectations for a program coming off its fourth consecutive bowl appearance and an 8-5 season in McGuire’s third year.

“We’re excited to get this entire group to campus,” McGuire said. “Now, the work begins. This group is hungry to prove itself, and the same can be said for our returners. I’m looking forward to building a cohesive unit as we prepare for the 2025 season.”

The 17-member transfer class features standout players poised to make an immediate impact:

• Dontae Balfour (DB, Charlotte): A seasoned cornerback with 49 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and two interceptions in 2024, Balfour brings proven production to the secondary.
• Mitch Griffis (QB, Wake Forest): Griffis joins the Red Raiders with 1,957 career passing yards and 15 touchdowns, offering depth and experience in the quarterback room.
• Terrance Carter Jr. (TE, Louisiana): A first-team All-Sun Belt honoree in 2024, Carter caught 48 passes for 689 yards and four touchdowns, providing a dynamic target in the passing game.
• Lee Hunter (DL, UCF): A two-time All-Big 12 selection, Hunter recorded 45 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss last season, bolstering Texas Tech’s defensive front.
• Skyler Gill-Howard (DL, Northern Illinois): Among the nation’s top interior linemen in 2024, Gill-Howard tallied 52 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks.

Local and New Talent

In addition to the transfers, nine high school signees enrolled early, including Lubbock natives Michael Dever (WR, Lubbock-Cooper) and Leyton Stone (WR, Frenship), who participated in Liberty Bowl preparations. Quarterback signees Lloyd Jones III and Holden Phillips also highlight the class, which is rounded out by 10 additional high school prospects arriving in June.

Full List of Transfers

Defensive Backs

• Dontae Balfour (6-2, 180, Sr., Charlotte)
• Amier Boyd-Matthews (6-1, 180, Jr., UTEP): Recorded 16 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups while allowing only nine completions on 26 targets in 2024.
• Tarrion Grant (6-2, 195, So., Purdue): A former five-star signee, totaled 13 tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble in his freshman season.
• Brice Pollock (6-1, 190, Jr., Mississippi State): Started 12 games in 2024, contributing 72 tackles, an interception, and 11 pass breakups.
• Cole Wisniewski (6-4, 215, Sr., North Dakota State): A first-team FCS All-American in 2023, tied a single-season record with eight interceptions.

Defensive Linemen

• Romello Height (6-3, 240, Sr., Georgia Tech): Amassed 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 2024.
• Skyler Gill-Howard (6-1, 285, Sr., Northern Illinois)
• Anthony Holmes Jr. (6-2, 295, Jr., Houston): Credited with 40 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2024.
• Lee Hunter (6-4, 320, Sr., UCF)

Offensive Linemen

• Will Jados (6-8, 305, Sr., Miami (Ohio)): Three-year starter with 38 career starts, mainly at left tackle.
• Howard Sampson (6-8, 325, Jr., North Carolina): Started all 12 games in 2024, allowing only five sacks over 423 pass-blocking snaps.
• Hunter Zambrano (6-5, 300, Sr., Illinois State): Four-year starter with 25 career starts at left tackle.

Skill Positions

• Mitch Griffis (QB, 5-11, 195, Jr., Wake Forest)
• Quinten Joyner (RB, 5-11, 215, So., USC): Rushed for 478 yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries in 2024.
• Terrance Carter Jr. (TE, 6-2, 235, Jr., Louisiana)
• Reggie Virgil (WR, 6-4, 190, Sr., Miami (Ohio)): Hauled in 41 catches for 816 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024.

High School Mid-Year Enrollees

• Connor Canty (OL)
• Michael Dever (WR)
• Brock Golwas (LB)
• Preztynn Harrison (TE)
• Lloyd Jones III (QB)
• Deante Lindsay (DB)
• Patrick McMath (OL)
• Leyton Stone (WR)
• Holden Phillips (QB, Frenship)