Big-Time West Texas Commitment: Frenship 4-Star WR Chase Campbell Picks Texas Tech Over Baylor and Kansas State in 2026

In a recruiting win that reverberates across the plains of West Texas, the Texas Tech Red Raiders landed a game-changing commitment on Wednesday from one of the state’s most electric playmakers. Frenship High School’s Chase Campbell, a dynamic 4-star wide receiver in the Class of 2026, officially announced his commitment to Texas Tech, choosing the Red Raiders over two Big 12 foes—Baylor and Kansas State.

This is more than just a local kid staying home. It’s a landmark moment for a program increasingly determined to lock down the state’s best talent and rekindle its identity as a high-octane offensive powerhouse. With his commitment, Campbell becomes the crown jewel of Tech’s early 2026 recruiting class—a player who not only checks every box athletically but symbolizes the regional pride and competitive fire that define West Texas football.

“I’m West Texas born and bred,” Campbell said at a press conference held in Frenship’s auditorium, surrounded by teammates, coaches, and family. “This is home. I grew up watching Tech games in Lubbock. To now have the chance to wear that Double T on my chest is a dream come true. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 185 pounds, Campbell brings a rare blend of size, speed, and polish. He caught 72 passes for 1,104 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior for Frenship, routinely burning defenses with precise route-running, breakaway speed, and fearless contested catches. A natural leader on and off the field, he also returned punts and kickoffs, displaying elite agility in the open field.

National scouts have taken notice. Campbell is ranked among the top 25 wide receivers in the country and is widely considered a top-200 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle. He’s the kind of weapon who can line up anywhere in the formation—outside, in the slot, or even in motion—and create headaches for defensive coordinators from the first snap to the last whistle.

Recruiting analysts had pegged Baylor and Kansas State as serious contenders in his recruitment, especially given Campbell’s interest in their offensive systems and academic offerings. Baylor made an aggressive late push, and Kansas State’s coaching staff developed a strong bond with Campbell over the last year. But in the end, the pull of home—and Joey McGuire’s vision for the Red Raiders—proved too strong to resist.

“This commitment was all about connection and belief,” said Campbell’s high school coach, Jay Northcutt. “Chase felt something real with Coach McGuire and the Texas Tech staff. They didn’t just recruit him as a player. They recruited him as a person. They made him feel like he could be a foundational part of something special.”

That foundation is already taking shape. Since taking over in Lubbock, McGuire has placed an emphasis on building a fence around West Texas. He’s made recruiting local talent a priority, and Campbell’s commitment signals a major win in that effort. Over the past two cycles, Tech has shown improvement in pulling 4-star talent from the region—players who once may have looked east toward the SEC or Midwest toward the Big Ten are now seriously considering staying close to home.

Campbell’s pledge could be a catalyst for more commitments from West Texas and beyond.

“This is a huge win for our program and for our culture,” McGuire said in a statement. “Chase Campbell is everything we look for in a Red Raider—tough, explosive, unselfish, and proud to represent West Texas. He’s got the tools to be special, but more importantly, he’s the kind of young man who makes everyone around him better. We’re fired up to welcome him to the family.”

Campbell echoed that sentiment when asked about his role in building the 2026 class. “I’m recruiting now too,” he said with a grin. “I’m telling guys: if you want to be part of something real, come to Lubbock. We’re going to do something big.”

Texas Tech has been working to modernize its offense while staying true to its Air Raid roots, and Campbell looks like the perfect fit for what offensive coordinator Zach Kittley wants to do. The Red Raiders have gradually built up depth at wide receiver, but Campbell projects as an immediate impact player with the ability to contribute early in his college career.

“He reminds me a little of Michael Crabtree with his hands and competitiveness,” said one Big 12 recruiting analyst. “That’s a big comparison, but he’s got that fearless edge. He just makes plays. And when he gets the ball in space? Good luck catching him.”

Beyond the numbers and highlight tapes, Campbell’s commitment is deeply personal for the Frenship community. Located just outside Lubbock, Frenship has produced solid talent over the years, but Campbell’s star power is on another level. Local fans have watched him grow from a standout middle schooler into a headline-grabbing high school phenom, and now, they’ll get to keep watching him—only now on Saturdays at Jones AT&T Stadium.

“I’ve seen him work when the cameras weren’t around,” said teammate and fellow 2026 prospect Marco Rios. “He’s first in the weight room, last one off the field. This isn’t just talent—it’s dedication. He earned this.”

That work ethic is rooted in family. Campbell’s parents, both Texas Tech alums, were emotional as their son pulled on a Red Raiders cap to cap off his announcement. “We’ve always told him to follow his heart,” said his mother, Michelle. “But seeing him choose to stay close, to represent where he’s from—that means the world.”

The commitment also gives Texas Tech significant momentum on the recruiting trail. With Campbell in the fold, the Red Raiders now have a centerpiece to rally the rest of the class around—and a homegrown star to market to fans hungry for a return to Big 12 title contention.

West Texas football is built on grit, passion, and loyalty. Chase Campbell embodies all of that—and now, he’ll carry those traits into a Texas Tech uniform. His decision to stay home isn’t just a win for the Red Raiders. It’s a statement about where this program is headed.

And in a time when college football is dominated by flashy NIL deals and cross-country transfers, there’s something deeply refreshing about a kid choosing home—not for comfort, but for purpose.

“I want to put on for West Texas,” Campbell said. “And I’m going to give everything I have to bring a championship to Lubbock.”

With that, Texas Tech fans have reason to believe the next great era of Red Raider football may be led by one of their own.