Texas Tech Lands Four-Star Tight End AJ Criss
Krum, Texas, tight end AJ Criss committed to Texas Tech's 2028 recruiting class on Sunday.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Four-star 2028 tight end AJ Criss committed to Texas Tech on Sunday, November 8, after Texas Tech extended him a scholarship on May 31. Criss is the program's third commitment in the 2028 cycle and the second school to offer him.
Why it matters
The commitment adds a highly rated pass-catching prospect to Texas Tech's 2028 class, which Rivals ranks as the 10th best in the country. Criss made an early decision after visiting Lubbock for Saturday's win over West Virginia.
Rivals ratings place Criss at No. 17 among tight ends nationally and No. 45 among Texas prospects, while his junior-season output of 42 catches for 1,015 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games made him a central part of Krum's offense, accounting for 46.9% of the team's receiving touchdowns. It is not yet clear how his development will progress at the collegiate level.
The players
AJ Criss
A four-star tight end from Krum, Texas, and a member of the Texas Tech 2028 recruiting class.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The NCAA Division I football program of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, competing in the Big 12 Conference.
Sam Spiegelman
A Rivals recruiting reporter who broke the news of Criss's commitment to Texas Tech.
The details
Criss, who is from Krum, Texas, committed to Texas Tech after attending the Red Raiders' win over West Virginia in Lubbock. Texas Tech was the second school to extend him a scholarship, offering on May 31.
Timeline
May 31: Texas Tech extended a scholarship offer to Criss.
Saturday, before November 8: Criss attended Texas Tech's win over West Virginia in Lubbock.
Sunday, November 8: Criss committed to Texas Tech.
Season Trajectory
Rivals' ranking system places Criss at No. 17 among tight ends nationally, which positions him as one of the more notable pass-catching targets in the Texas Tech 2028 class. The early commitment adds to a recruiting cycle in which Texas Tech already holds a top-10 class ranking.
Criss's commitment means Texas Tech has three 2028 pledges so far, and his ranking as a top-20 tight end nationally makes him a prospect to watch for offensive depth charts in the coming years. Fans tracking the recruiting class can follow his progress through Rivals' ongoing coverage.
The takeaway
A early commitment from a highly rated tight end signals that Texas Tech's recruiting pitch, reinforced by an on-campus visit to Lubbock, is resonating with top prospects in the state.
Further reading
Find more recruiting coverage in the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
