5-Star EDGE Anthony Sweeney Commits to Texas Tech

Red Raiders land top recruit after impactful campus visit

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:28pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in a red uniform making a powerful defensive play, with sharp, overlapping planes of red, black, and gold colors.Texas Tech's new 5-star recruit Anthony Sweeney brings explosive defensive energy to the Red Raiders' rising program.Lubbock Today

Anthony Sweeney, a highly-touted 5-star edge rusher from Baltimore, has committed to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team. Sweeney, ranked 20th nationally by Rivals, had been heavily recruited by powerhouses like LSU and South Carolina, but a recent visit to Lubbock changed everything. Sweeney cited the genuine people, strong coaching staff, and vision of the program as key factors in his decision to join the Red Raiders.

Why it matters

This is a major recruiting win for Texas Tech, landing one of the top defensive prospects in the country. Sweeney's commitment boosts the Red Raiders' 2027 recruiting class and signals that the program is building momentum as a national contender under head coach Joey McGuire.

The details

Sweeney, a standout at Baltimore's St. Frances Academy, took an official visit to Texas Tech in early April and was blown away by the experience. He praised the coaching staff, especially defensive line coach Jacquies Smith's NFL experience, as well as the program's facilities and resources. Head coach Joey McGuire's vision for the Red Raiders also resonated with Sweeney, who believes Texas Tech can compete at the highest level.

  • Sweeney visited Texas Tech from April 4-6, 2026.
  • Sweeney committed to Texas Tech a couple days after his campus visit.

The players

Anthony Sweeney

A 5-star edge rusher from Baltimore's St. Frances Academy, ranked 20th nationally by Rivals.

Jacquies Smith

The defensive line coach at Texas Tech, with previous NFL experience that impressed Sweeney.

Joey McGuire

The head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who has built the program into a national contender.

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What they’re saying

“It happened a lot faster than I expected. I went into that visit expecting to come out, continue to take visits, get to some official visits, then make a tough decision in the summer. That visit really changed everything for me.”

— Anthony Sweeney, 5-star EDGE recruit

“He can develop me. He's been around the NFL and knows what it takes to get me there. I like his personality. They had David Bailey last year, now they have Coach Smith, with NFL experience, so I really believe in them.”

— Anthony Sweeney, 5-star EDGE recruit

“He's a great coach — a players' coach. He's got great energy and sets his players up for success. You see what he has done with the program.”

— Anthony Sweeney, 5-star EDGE recruit

What’s next

Sweeney will now focus on his senior season at St. Frances Academy before officially joining the Texas Tech program in 2027.

The takeaway

Texas Tech's ability to land a top-20 national recruit like Anthony Sweeney is a testament to the program's rising status under head coach Joey McGuire. The Red Raiders' investment in their coaching staff and facilities is paying off on the recruiting trail, positioning them as an emerging power in the Big 12 Conference.