​Eight new athletes will be inducted into the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Fame as the school announced its 2026 class on Thursday. “Really a great class. I’ve described this class in one word: humility,” said Will Culpepper, Director of the Double T Varsity Club, when unveiling the honors. “All eight inductees we have entering the Hall are extremely humble as athletes, and as we reach out to them and speak about the honor, they remain humble—yet they are fierce competitors. Every phone call and in-person conversation has been outstanding.”
Culpepper singled out former Red Raider baseball standout Eric Gutierrez as one of the class’s most notable inductees. Gutierrez earned his spot in his first year on the ballot. “I think many of us as former athletes understand this,” Culpepper said, “Eric Gutierrez is one of the best to ever wear Tech’s colors.”
Here is the full 2026 Hall of Fame class, which will be honored during the weekend of the Sept. 26 home game against Sam Houston.
– Adkins: One of the top high jumpers in Texas Tech history, Adkins joined the program in 2013 and placed third in the Big 12 indoor and outdoor meets in his freshman year. He finished fifth at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships and later earned two runner-up finishes at the national indoor meet. The Idalou native was a four-time first-team All-American during his Red Raider career.
– Carson: A standout javelin thrower, Carson earned first-team All-American honors on three occasions and was the national runner-up in both the 2015 and 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She set a Texas Tech record with a personal-best throw of 200 feet, 9 inches on her final attempt as a Red Raider. Carson also became the first NCAA female athlete to throw at least 200 feet in both the javelin and discus in the same season.
– Filani: After establishing himself as a contributor as a sophomore in 2004, Filani had a breakout year in 2005 with 65 receptions for 1,007 yards and eight touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition. He followed with 91 catches for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns, becoming the fourth Red Raider—and the second wide receiver—to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors more than once. Filani was drafted in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans and later returned to Tech on the coaching staff under Matt Wells. He is currently the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Abilene Christian, which Tech opens against on Sept. 5, 2026.
– Gutierrez: Part of a distinguished freshman class that arrived in 2013, Gutierrez shined at the plate and in the field, earning a Gold Glove, Big 12 Player of the Year, and Baseball America first-team All-American honors during his career. He became the second Red Raider to reach a major milestone with his postseason accomplishments in Omaha.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class reflects a lifetime of achievement across Tech’s premier programs, underscoring qualities of humility, dedication, and elite performance. The ceremony will coincide with Tech’s home game weekend against Sam Houston, celebrating those who have helped shape the university’s athletic legacy.