The Texas Tech Red Raiders are entering the season with sky-high expectations after reportedly spending $28 million to reload their roster. While the national buzz around the team is mixed, one outlet is particularly high on a new addition in Lubbock — and it might surprise you who it is.
That would be none other than Pro Football Focus. In their recently released “2026 NFL Draft: Preseason Running Back Rankings,” PFF placed Texas Tech’s Quinten Joyner at No. 5 overall — one of the biggest shockers on the list.
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Why the surprise?
Joyner has just 603 career rushing yards on 81 carries over two seasons and spent last year behind USC’s Woody Marks before transferring to Texas Tech. He hasn’t had the chance to fully showcase his talent — but that hasn’t stopped PFF from betting big on his future.
They ranked him ahead of some established names, including Texas’ CJ Baxter, Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborn, Penn State’s Kaytron Allen, Oregon’s Makhi Hughes, and Texas A&M’s Le’Veon Moss.
“Joyner’s spot in the top five is more about projecting his future potential than rewarding past production,” PFF wrote. “At USC last season, he played behind Woody Marks and saw just 64 total rushing attempts. But in that limited sample, he earned a 90.0 rushing grade with elite efficiency, forcing 0.33 missed tackles per attempt and averaging 4.5 yards after contact.”
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That kind of praise isn’t just empty hype — it’s exactly the kind of upside Texas Tech was banking on when they brought him in. The Red Raiders have retooled their offense through the portal, hunting for explosive playmakers who can help fuel a Big 12 title push. Joyner might be the most important piece of that puzzle.
“Joyner’s fast footwork and playmaker’s mentality make him a natural at slipping past defenders,” PFF added. “Now at Texas Tech, we’ll see if he can sustain that level of efficiency with a full workload.”
Now, all eyes are on Lubbock. Joyner has a golden opportunity to prove he’s more than just a projection. If he lives up to the billing, he won’t just validate PFF’s bold ranking — he could become one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football this fall.