Texas Tech football coach Joey McGuire announced that defensive lineman Jayden Cofield's recovery from Achilles tendon surgery is progressing well, with a potential return by late September. This could enhance the team's depth at defensive tackle for the upcoming season.
The Texas Tech football staff signed one more defensive lineman out of the NCAA transfer portal than originally planned in January, based on the expectation Jayden Cofield would miss a big chunk of next season recovering from Achilles tendon surgery.
Well, maybe not.
Tech coach Joey McGuire said on Monday, April 13, that Cofield's projected timeline to return has moved up to perhaps late September.
"We think he could be back as early as the Houston game [Sept. 18]," McGuire said. "If not, the Sam Houston State game [Sept. 26]. He's a lot farther ahead than what we expected, so that just adds depth. When you start looking at it, we're going to have a legit three-deep at both defensive tackles with the guys that we have going through spring and then you add Cofield back in it."
Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
texas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
Texas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech receivers coach Justin "Juice" Johnson looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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texas Tech tight ends coach Josh Cochran looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Jett Carpenter goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Kenny Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Howard Sampson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's D'Anthis Upshaw goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Jojo Johnson goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Jalen Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Bryson Jones goes through warmups during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Julien Laventure goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Amari Fleming goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Krush Johnson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's S'Vioarean Martin goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Trey White goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Donovan Webb goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Imari Jehiel goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Quintaelyn Joyner goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Michael Dever goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Tristian Gentry goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Ben Roberts goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Corey Platt goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Brock Golwas goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood leads a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Austin Romaine goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Ellis Davis goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Elias Gillen goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Jordan Church goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Felix Ojo goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Trey White (2) and Adam Trick go through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill as offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Lloyd Jones III goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Stephen Cannon goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich looks on during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Micah Hudson goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Texas Tech's Donte Lee goes through a drill during spring football practice, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Womble Football Center.
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Cofield's a 6-foot-2, 330-pound junior from Manor. As a young backup the past two seasons, he's been credited with 23 and 24 tackles, respectively, and 4 1/2 tackles for loss both years. He suffered a partial Achilles tendon tear in Tech's New Year's Day loss to Oregon in the Orange Bowl. He underwent surgery shortly thereafter.
In February, McGuire said Cofield's expected return was in October, based on medical staff assessments.
Asked what caused the timeline to change for the better, McGuire said, "Going through all his MRIs and going through his rehab, he's healing at a little bit faster rate than what we expected. A lot of times with big guys, you probably can get them a little bit back faster off an Achilles than some of your skill guys, but we feel really good about where he is."
Jayden Cofield awaits the start of a dirll during the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
Tech returns second-team All-American defensive tackle A.J. Holmes. From the portal, the Red Raiders added Julien Laventure from Akron, Bryce Butler from Washington, Mateen Ibirogba from Wake Forest and JoJo Johnson from Oregon State.
Counting Cofield, McGuire said, "There's six guys right there that have played college football and have been in some really big games."
Other returning defensive tackles are sophomore Keyshawn Williams from Spring Dekaney and redshirt freshman Dylan Singleton from Loreauville, Louisville. Singleton has missed spring practice recovering from a shoulder injury.
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This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football DT Jayden Cofield's return date moved up
Jayden Cofield is recovering from Achilles tendon surgery and may return by late September.
Cofield could be back as early as the Houston game on September 18 or the Sam Houston State game on September 26.
Cofield's return will add depth, allowing Texas Tech to have a legitimate three-deep rotation at defensive tackle.
The head coach of Texas Tech football is Joey McGuire.
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