Texas Tech fans show gratitude as linebacker announces transfer portal intentions

Unfortunately for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the transfer portal isn’t just something that helps folks find their way to Lubbock. Sometimes, occasionally, we’re going to see the Texas Tech football program lose some talented athletes via the transfer portal.

And that seems to be the case with linebacker Justin Horne. 

The redshirt sophomore has made it clear that while he’s grateful to have had the chance to be a part of the Texas Tech football team, he’s going to be finding a new team to play for going forward.

Horne, who originally signed with Joey McGuire and Texas Tech back in 2022 during McGuire’s first season as the head coach of the Red Raiders, was a three-star prospect out of high school and is certainly talented enough to get plenty of interested parties.

Texas Tech fans react to Justin Horne announcing that he’s leaving Lubbock and the Texas Tech Red Raiders

Here’s how Texas Tech football fans are reacting to the news of Horne leaving Lubbock.

I, for one, appreciate the way that Texas Tech fans are showing appreciation for Horne even though he won’t be playing for the Red Raiders going forward. 

The fact that there are so many well wishes for Horne is a good thing and it’s clear that the Red Raiders truly have a thoroughly healthy fan culture established right now. That’s refreshing to see given the overall landscape that we have in college football (and just generally college sports as a whole as well).

It’s not ideal that the Red Raiders will need to replace Horne this offseason, but among the many things that Texas Tech has thrived in as of late, the transfer portal is an area in which we could see Texas Tech find plenty of success once again. 

For Horne and his future endeavors, hopefully he’s able to find a program where he can continue to grow, develop, and thrive. It’ll be fascinating to see where he ends up landing.