Texas Tech football is fishing in deeper waters than ever before when it comes to high school recruiting. With that, though, comes the task of fending off some of the biggest sharks in the ocean.
That's what head coach Joey McGuire and his staff are trying to do when it comes to the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, Jalen Brewster. Though he has been a long-time Texas Tech commit, the 2027 defensive tackle from Cedar Hill, Texas, has still been flirting with LSU in recent months. Now, though, the college football world is reportedly about to find out his final decision.
According to Steve Wiltfong of Rivals and On3, Brewster appears to have made up his mind and an announcement about his future is imminent. That's not exactly what Texas Tech fans wanted to hear given that many assumed Brewster was solid with the Red Raiders.
NEW: No. 1 overall recruit Jalen Brewster is set to announce his final decision⌛️
— Rivals (@Rivals) August 23, 2026
Rivals’ @SWiltfong_ has the latest on the Texas Tech commit.
Intel: https://t.co/LUPXs8PesR pic.twitter.com/MZxZ0eRdzN
Brewster made national news in October of 2025 when he committed to Texas Tech over such traditional college football powers as LSU, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Southern California, Miami, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State, among others.
Since his commitment, he's remained in the Red Raiders' class but that hasn't stopped him from exploring all of his options. In fact, this summer alone, he's visited LSU, Miami, and Florida.
LSU has emerged as Tech's top competition as new Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin looks to make a splash on the recruiting trail. Certainly, pulling Brewster away from Texas Tech would qualify as such given that Brewster is one of the highest-rated recruits to come out of the Lone Star State in the past decade.
Brewster is also moving farther away from Texas Tech for his senior year
Another chapter of this story is that Brewster is also moving from Cedar Hill to Buford, Georgia, for his senior season of high school football. It had been rumored for weeks that he was not going to play at Cedar Hill this year, and some on social media are stating that this move could be taking place to allow Brewster to graduate in December, which would then allow him to begin his college career in January.
Last season, Buford was named the national champion in the high school ranks, an honor that is voted on by media members (just like the college football champion used to be decided). Now, they are adding a 6-foot-3, 300-pound force to the middle of their 2026 defense.
It doesn't appear that the move to Georgia will play a role in Brewster's decision between Tech and LSU. However, having him leave the Red Raiders' area of influence in the Dallas Metroplex is not ideal.
Still, if Texas Tech has taught us anything in the past 24 months, it is that no recruiting battle is too big for McGuire and Co. to win. Here's hoping that remains true with Brewster and the Red Raiders can reel this huge fish into the boat once and for all.
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