Honestly, if you told a college football fan three years ago that the top-ranked defensive player in Georgia would skip over Athens, Tuscaloosa, and Clemson to sign with Texas Tech, they’d have asked to see your temperature. It just doesn't happen. Or, it didn't. Then came LaDamion Guyton.
The recruitment of LaDamion Guyton has been a whirlwind of reclassifications, massive NIL valuations, and a persistent "West Texas Takeover" led by Joey McGuire. Guyton isn't just another four-star project. We’re talking about a kid who was the consensus No. 1 overall player in the country for the 2027 class before he decided he was ready for the big leagues a year early.
He's basically a human highlight reel from Savannah. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at a lean, mean 250 pounds, he’s got that twitchy "get-off" that makes offensive tackles look like they’re stuck in mud.
The Reclassification That Changed Everything
For a long time, the LaDamion Guyton college recruiting saga was focused on the 2027 cycle. He was the "big fish" every scout was watching at Savannah Christian Preparatory. Then, in October 2025, Guyton dropped a bombshell: he was reclassifying to 2026.
This move didn't just move his timeline up; it sent coaching staffs into a full-blown panic.
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When a player of this caliber reclassifies, you usually see their ranking dip. Not Guyton. Even moving up a year, he remained a five-star lock, landing at No. 15 nationally and the No. 4 Edge in the 2026 class per 247Sports. It's rare. You've got to be physically ready for the Big 12 or the SEC at 17 years old to pull that off. Guyton is.
Breaking Down the Stats
- Freshman Year: 82 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 10 sacks.
- Sophomore Year: 52 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks (in only 9 games).
- Junior (Reclassified Senior) Year: Transferred to Benedictine Military School, racked up 75 tackles and 7 sacks against some of the toughest competition in Georgia.
Why Texas Tech? The NIL and Joey McGuire Factor
Let’s be real for a second. When Georgia comes calling—especially for a kid from Savannah—it's usually game over. Kirby Smart has a literal pipeline from that area. But Texas Tech did something different. They didn't just recruit LaDamion Guyton; they made him the face of a movement.
Joey McGuire has this infectious energy that kids just gravitate toward. But energy doesn't pay the bills. Reports indicate Guyton's NIL package is somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 million. That’s "quarterback money" for an edge rusher.
Texas Tech’s "The Matador Club" has become one of the most aggressive collectives in the nation. They aren't just competing with the SEC; they're outbidding them. Guyton officially signed his National Letter of Intent with the Red Raiders on December 3, 2025.
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The Schools He Turned Down
- Georgia: The local favorites. They never stopped pushing, even after he committed to Tech.
- Alabama: Bama wanted him as that classic "stand-up" outside linebacker.
- LSU & Tennessee: Both offered early, but never quite got the same traction.
Scouting Report: Is He the Next Vic Beasley?
Scouts often compare Guyton to former Atlanta Falcon Vic Beasley or even Khalil Mack. It’s the bend. If you watch his film from Benedictine, he has this incredible ability to get his shoulder nearly parallel to the grass while turning the corner.
He’s not just a speed rusher, though. He’s been working on a bull rush that catches people off guard because he looks like a speed specialist. At 250 pounds, he’s already got the frame to hold up against the run, which is usually the weakness for "twitchy" recruits.
"LaDamion Guyton is a potentially versatile rush piece who could supercharge a front seven early in his collegiate career. He should be viewed as a potential early-round NFL Draft selection." — Andrew Ivins, 247Sports Director of Scouting.
The Impact on the 2026 Class
Guyton isn't heading to Lubbock alone. His commitment was the domino that helped Texas Tech secure one of their highest-ranked classes in history. He’s joined by fellow five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo and quarterback Stephen Cannon, his teammate from Benedictine.
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By reclassifying, Guyton is expected to be on campus in 2026. Whether he enrolls early in January or joins in the summer, the expectation is that he’ll be in the rotation immediately. You don't pay a guy $3.5 million to sit on the bench and learn the playbook for two years.
What Fans Should Expect Next
If you’re a Red Raider fan, the next few months are all about strength and conditioning. Guyton has the frame, but the Big 12 (now featuring some heavy-hitters) is a different beast than Georgia 4A high school ball.
Actionable Insights for Following His Career:
- Watch the Spring Game: If Guyton enrolls early, his first appearance in the black and red will be the 2026 Spring Game. Keep an eye on his hand usage—that’s the one area scouts say he can still polish.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Tech is building a "win now" roster. Guyton will be playing alongside seasoned vets, which means he might not see double-teams immediately. That’s a recipe for a Freshman All-American season.
- NIL Evolution: Watch how his brand grows. Guyton is one of the first "super-recruits" of the new era to choose a non-traditional powerhouse. His success could change how every elite recruit in the Southeast looks at the Big 12.
The LaDamion Guyton college recruiting story is more than just a player picking a school. It’s a signal that the landscape has shifted. The dirt in West Texas might just be a little more attractive to five-stars than it used to be.