Top Texas Tech football linebacker commit flips to Baylor

The Texas Tech football program's recruiting efforts took another hit on Tuesday when one of the top players in the Red Raiders' 2025 recruiting haul had a change of mind. Kaleb "KB" Burns announced on social media that he is now committed to the Baylor Bears after previously giving his pledge to the Red Raiders on July 1.

Burns also posted to social media a statement in which he explained his decision. In the statement, he said "Taking everything into perspective, I feel like this is the best option for me and my family."

A 6-foot, 220-pound linebacker from Houston, Burns is a top player in Texas. Rated No. 81 in the state and No. 59 among all linebackers nationally, he was one of the most exciting recruits in Tech's class and his departure will be felt.

This is a disappointing turn of events as it continues the slide for Tech's 2025 class. Once rated in the top 25 nationally and in the top two in the Big 12, it now sits at just 45th in the NCAA and eighth in the Big 12.

Meanwhile, Baylor's current class has risen to No. 3 in the Big 12 and 26th in the country as it has grown to 19 players. Tech's current class has only 16 players in it.

However, some may argue that the transfer portal has diminished the importance of high school recruiting. While Joey McGuire (a long-time high school head coach in Texas) would likely disagree with that sentiment, there may be some truth to it.

In previous eras of the sport, high school and JUCO recruiting were the only ways to add talent to your roster. Now, each offseason, teams go shopping in the transfer portal meaning that if there are any holes in the roster caused by the shortcomings in your high school recruiting efforts, they can easily be filled with veteran options.

Therefore, the loss of a player like Burns isn't as devastating as it might have been a decade ago. On the other hand, Tech now may have to look for more talent at the linebacker spot.

The only linebacker still in McGuire's recruiting class is 3-star Flower Mound, Texas product Brock Golwas. Rated the No. 190 player in Texas, he isn't nearly as highly recruited as Burns is, though.

However, he did post an impressive video on social media Tuesday showing himself squatting 500 pounds.

Burns' defection is no reason to panic but it does give fans an excuse to look at Tech's recruiting efforts in this cycle and wonder what has changed since the last cycle when the Red Raiders landed a top-25 class.

Ultimately, McGuire and Co. have to bring more players into the fray for 2025, and with Burns no longer part of the equation, more defensive help is certainly needed. So keep checking in with Wreck 'em Red for all the latest Texas Tech recruiting news.