There is no question that the Texas Tech football program is going all-out to win the Big 12 in 2025. That is obvious by the massive portal investment that the Red Raiders and the Matador Club have made this offseason. Though that portal haul already includes several impact defensive backs, it would be crazy for head coach Joey McGuire and his staff to ignore an All-Big 12 safety who recently entered the portal and who has a connection to new Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood.
Late last week, Houston safety A.J. Haulcy made waves by jumping into the transfer portal. A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, he had 74 tackles and came up with five interceptions last season for the Cougars. Of course, that success came under Wood's guidance as he was the Houston D.C. last fall.
However, Haulcy was an excellent player before he and Wood joined forces. In 2023, he made 98 tackles for Houston, and in 2022, as a true freshman, the Houston native was credited with 87 tackles and two interceptions for New Mexico.
Now, he is on the open market as he looks to cash in for his senior season. If Texas Tech still feels like it needs a playmaker in the secondary, Haulcy would be a tremendous fit.
Texas Tech could always use another talented defensive back
At first glance, the Red Raiders don't appear to have a need at safety. They are returning 2024 starter Chapman Lewis, who made 43 tackles and picked off three passes as a sophomore last fall, his first season as Tech's No. 1 free safety.
What's more, versatile senior A.J. McCarty is back. The former transfer from Baylor racked up 32 tackles (seven for loss) and two picks a season ago. He is valuable because he can play either a traditional safety role or serve as a coverage player in the slot.
Additionally, the program has added standout FCS safety, Cole Wisniewski. A transfer from North Dakota State, he was a 2023 FCS All-American before having his 2024 season impacted by injury.
That trio is expected to give the Red Raiders a solid group of safeties to lean on. What's more, other returning players such as former 4-star recruit Peyton Morgan, freakish athlete Miquel Dingle, and junior Brenden Jordan are also in the mix at that position.
Still, when you are coming off of a season that was a disastrous as 2024 was for the Texas Tech secondary, you must make massive changes to avoid a repeat. Last fall, Tech ranked 132nd in the nation in passing yards allowed at 308.1 per game.
While some of that had to do with the team's nonexistent pass rush, the secondary was a disaster as well. Time and time again, Tech let opposing receivers frolic through the secondary without a care in the world on their way to huge gains.
Inexperience, poor communication, and an overall lack of talent were reasons for the secondary's poor showing last season, and the belief is that the newcomers will help prevent a repeat in 2025. Still, when a player of Haulcy's caliber is available, a program that is going for it must strike, especially given that Wood knows exactly what Haulcy brings to the table.