Texas Tech opened its business on the 2028 recruiting trail Tuesday with a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Austin Attalah, No. 46 in the SC Next ESPN 300.
The 6-foot-7, 270-pound recruit from California's Orange Lutheran High School is ESPN's No. 8 offensive tackle in the 2028 cycle. He announced his pledge to the Red Raiders over Texas and USC during a live appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday afternoon, landing as the first member of Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire's 2028 recruiting class.
Attalah, California's No. 2 overall prospect in 2028, held significant summer interest from a host of Big Ten and SEC programs, including Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State before he narrowed his finalists to three schools earlier this month. For Texas Tech, Attalah's decision to stiff-arm local power USC and in-state rivals Texas represents the Red Raiders' latest marker in the program's expanding presence on the high school recruiting trail under McGuire and general manager James Blanchard.
The program secured two five-star recruits for the first time in school history last December with signatures from outside linebacker LaDamion Guyton (No. 6 overall) and offensive tackle Felix Ojo (No. 28). In the 2027 cycle, Texas Tech holds pledges from 10 SC Next ESPN 300 prospects, including No. 1 overall prospect Jalen Brewster. Following Attalah's commitment, sources tell ESPN that the Red Raiders intend to remain aggressive in the 2028 cycle.
Attalah is a multisport athlete at Orange Lutheran, where he competes in football and basketball. He follows Miami commit Kweli Fielder (No. 24 overall) as the second pledge among ESPN's top 15 offensive tackles in the 2028 class.
Texas Tech currently holds ESPN's No. 10 recruiting class in the 2027 cycle. The No. 12 Red Raiders open their season at home against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5.
