4-star linebacker Tylan Henderson has a few game-day visits in mind

Henderson, a Rivals300 standout from Pflugerville Weiss, represents the kind of homegrown talent coaches on the South Plains consistently chase. He's a legitimate difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball, the type of player who can shift momentum on a Saturday afternoon at Jones AT&T Stadium. He recently logged visits to SMU, Oklahoma, Oregon, and USC, getting a closer look at some national contenders already. While those are big names, seeing a prospect of Henderson's caliber not prioritize a trip down Marsha Sharp Freeway early in his process certainly raises questions for many local fans.

For Red Raider fans dreaming of a Big 12 title, landing elite Texas players like Henderson is essential, especially given how competitive the new conference has become. If Tech doesn't secure commitments from these talents, future opponents will field stronger defenses, making wins harder to come by and potentially impacting the team's long-term success.

With 2028 still years out, these other programs already have a head start, leaving Red Raider coaches plenty of ground to cover for a player who could define a recruiting class.