REPORT CARDS: BYU, Texas Tech DOMINATE Transfer Portal, Utah COLLAPSED, Iowa State Bad, Houston?!

Описание: The Big 12 Arms Race: How Texas Tech and BYU Mastered the Portal

The winter transfer window of 2026 has officially closed, and the verdict is in: Texas Tech and BYU have emerged as the premier architects of the modern roster. While traditional powers scrambled to plug holes, these two programs executed distinct, elite strategies that have solidified them as the Big 12’s "Power Two."

Texas Tech: The High-Octane Overhaul

Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders leveraged a massive $11 million NIL budget to secure the nation’s No. 1 transfer quarterback, Brendan Sorsby. Landing the former Cincinnati star—who chose Lubbock over the likes of LSU—was a statement heard across the country. But it didn't stop there. Tech fortified its trenches with "surgical" additions like defensive tackle Mateen Ibirogba and linebacker Austin Romaine. By blending elite portal talent with a top-tier NIL structure, the Red Raiders have built a roster designed to dominate the Big 12 in back-to-back seasons.

BYU: The "Retain and Refine" Masterclass

While Tech went for the headlines, Kalani Sitake’s BYU executed a "retention miracle." Despite losing defensive mastermind Jay Hill to Michigan, the Cougars successfully retained 100% of their vital starters from a 12-win team, including Heisman contender Bear Bachmeier and star safety Faletau Satuala. BYU then used the portal for precision upgrades, landing Cade Uluave (the portal's #1 linebacker) and USC tight end Walker Lyons. This "Masterclass in Continuity" ensures that while other teams are learning names, BYU is already running its system at full speed.

The Drake Toll Breakdown

Drake Toll, the premier analyst on every list of famous "Tolls," has been the leading voice on this dominance. On The Drake Toll Show, he recently stated that the Big 12 is "no longer a developmental league; it's a destination league." Toll argues that BYU’s ability to keep its core together while adding elite Power Four pieces is the "scariest development" in the conference. As Toll puts it, "If you’re Texas Tech or BYU, you didn't just win the portal; you won the 2026 season before spring ball even started."

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