Red Raiders Rise on Skewes Radar: ESPN Reports 4-Star Offensive Tackle Tripp Skewes’s Official Visit to Texas Tech Has Ignited Major Recruiting Momentum, Sends Strong Signal to Big 12 Rivals Ahead of 2025 Signing Window

Red Raiders Rise on Skewes Radar: ESPN Reports 4-Star Offensive Tackle Tripp Skewes’s Official Visit to Texas Tech Has Ignited Major Recruiting Momentum, Sends Strong Signal to Big 12 Rivals Ahead of 2025 Signing Window

 

 

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LUBBOCK, TEXAS — In what recruiting insiders are calling a major development in the 2025 college football landscape, Tripp Skewes, one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the nation, has officially wrapped up his official visit to Texas Tech, and momentum surrounding his potential commitment to the Red Raiders is intensifying fast.

 

According to a recent ESPN report, Skewes’s time in Lubbock was not just another pit stop on the recruiting trail — it was a pivotal moment in his decision-making process that has catapulted the Red Raiders to the forefront of his list. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive lineman from Rockwall, Texas, has emerged as a top target for numerous Power Five programs, but Texas Tech may now have the inside track after what has been described as a “transformational” visit.

 

> “The atmosphere was electric, and I could really feel the brotherhood in that locker room,” Skewes told ESPN. “Coach McGuire’s vision is clear. They’re building something real in Lubbock — and I want to be a part of something like that.”

 

 

 

 

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A Visit That Checked Every Box

 

Sources close to the program confirmed that the official visit, which spanned the weekend, included extensive meetings with the offensive line coaching staff, time with current players, academic walkthroughs, and a behind-the-scenes look at the F.W. & Jackie McKenzie Performance Center — Texas Tech’s state-of-the-art football facility.

 

Insiders reported that Skewes spent a significant portion of the visit with offensive line coach Stephen Hamby, whose energy and player development philosophy left a lasting impression.

 

“Coach Hamby doesn’t just want to win — he wants to shape warriors,” Skewes said. “He’s intense, but he listens. He doesn’t treat his players like tools; he treats them like future leaders.”

 

 

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Texas Tech’s Rising Offensive Line Pipeline

 

Skewes’s interest in the Red Raiders comes at a time when Texas Tech’s recruiting reputation — especially for offensive linemen — is on a dramatic upswing. Under Head Coach Joey McGuire, the Red Raiders have made serious strides on the recruiting trail, landing commitments from top-tier trench talent across the region.

 

Last cycle, Tech secured four-star lineman Isaiah Crawford and three-star tackle Corey Wren, helping solidify the notion that Lubbock is becoming a legitimate pipeline destination for offensive linemen looking to develop and dominate in the Big 12.

 

A potential Skewes commitment would further cement that identity and possibly vault Texas Tech’s 2025 class into Top 15 territory nationally, according to recruiting analysts at 247Sports and Rivals.

 

 

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Recruiting Buzz: Who Else Is in the Mix?

 

While Texas Tech is currently riding high after Skewes’s visit, the battle for his commitment is far from over. Other programs in hot pursuit include:

 

Texas A&M, which recently hosted him on an unofficial visit

 

Arkansas, known for its offensive line tradition

 

Oklahoma State, whose staff reportedly conducted an in-home visit

 

Florida State, the lone non-Big 12 school still in serious contention

 

 

However, multiple recruiting insiders now believe that Tech has surged to either first or second place in Skewes’s mental shortlist following the visit. A decision is expected later this summer, with July being the most likely announcement window.

 

 

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Why Skewes Matters: A Game-Changer in the Trenches

 

Standing 6’6″ with a wingspan that scouts say is “NFL-ready,” Skewes brings both physical dominance and cerebral intelligence to the tackle position. He’s known for his fluid footwork, strong base, and relentless finishing ability — all traits that would allow him to compete early at the collegiate level.

 

He’s currently ranked as the No. 11 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 18 overall prospect in Texas, per ESPN’s 2025 player rankings. More importantly, his commitment could serve as a domino effect for other top-tier recruits across the offensive and defensive lines.

 

 

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A Statement Opportunity for McGuire’s Regime

 

If Joey McGuire and his staff can seal the deal with Tripp Skewes, it will not only fill a critical need but also send a powerful message across the Big 12: Texas Tech is no longer just trying to compete — it’s trying to build dominance from the trenches outward.

 

> “It’s about more than just a logo on your helmet,” Skewes said. “It’s about a place that wants you to succeed — on and off the field. And Tech made that loud and clear.”

 

 

 

With momentum clearly in Lubbock’s favor, Red Raider Nation now awaits what could be a program-shifting decision from one of the most coveted linemen in America.

 

And if Skewes ultimately dons the scarlet and black, the road to Big 12 supremacy might just start behind his massive, immovable frame.