BREAKING NEWS: Texas Tech lands 2025 safety Michael Henderson III

Texas Tech prioritizes recruiting top-tier athletes, emphasizing versatility over just football prowess. This approach is evident in their recent commitment, Michael Henderson, a 2025 athlete from Wylie East High School in Texas, who excels on both offense and defense. Henderson, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound player, plays as a running back and safety. He recently declared his commitment to the Red Raiders through social media.

Having received an offer from Texas Tech just last month on Christmas Day, Henderson opted for the Red Raiders over reported offers from Mississippi Valley State and Texas State. While currently unrated, Henderson has demonstrated his effectiveness on both sides of the field at Wylie East. In his sophomore year (2022), he recorded 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and six interceptions, including two pick-sixes. During his junior season, Henderson showcased his offensive skills by running for 657 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 11 games.

Henderson becomes the ninth commitment in Texas Tech’s 2025 recruiting class, which presently holds the 27th rank nationally and is fourth in the new Big 12 rankings.

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire recently shared insights on the recruiting strategy for the 2025 class, stating, “We’ll go somewhere between 18 and 20 high school guys.” In response to a question from ITRR about the number of high school recruits expected, McGuire emphasized the ongoing transition of the team’s roster composition. When McGuire and his staff initially took over, the roster was notably split, lacking a substantial presence of redshirt sophomores and redshirt juniors. The focus has been on building a more balanced roster, particularly with players in their third or fourth year in college, especially on the offensive and defensive lines where physical growth is crucial.

McGuire indicated that while the team is getting closer to achieving this balance, the upcoming recruiting class will still consist of approximately 18 to 20 high school recruits. This decision is influenced by the team’s overall youthful composition, considering the recent class that played in the current year and the incoming class. McGuire stressed the importance of gradually developing a roster with a mix of experienced players in addition to the younger talent.