Texas Tech Sees First Player Move to Transfer Portal This Offseason

The Texas Tech sophomore guard will take his talents elsewhere.

Dec 28, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Big 12 official; Doug Sirmons hands the ball to Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Leon Horner (6) in the second half of the game against the Winthrop Eagles at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images | Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Leon Horner III announced that he will enter the transfer portal.

He shared the news on his personal X account on Wednesday.

"I want to thank Texas Tech for two incredible years that have shaped me into a better player and a better man," Horner shared.

“I’m thankful for my coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me along the way. The relationship and lessons I’ve gained here will stay with me forever.

"After much prayer, conversations with my family, and careful consideration, I feel led to enter my name into the transport portal and trust God with my next chapter.

"I’m grateful for the journey and excited for what’s ahead."

Thank you red raider nation 💯 pic.twitter.com/Kr5jPGpco9

— Leon Horner III (@Leonhorner8) April 1, 2026

Horner is a sophomore guard and hails from Dallas, Texas. He stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 215 pounds.

He has two seasons of eligibility remaining as Horner is set to enter his junior season.

His 2025-26 season was not what he expected. Horner played only 23 regular season games, and while he had great moments, he averaged only eight minutes per game.

In those eight minutes, Horner averaged 2.7 points per game, 1.9 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.2 blocks and 0.3 steals. He also shot 46.2 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from beyond the arc.

As for his freshman season, Horner was held to nine games and averaged 2.6 minutes per contest. His numbers were less than impressive, averaging 0.2 points per game, 0.6 rebounds and 0.1 steals while shooting 25 percent from the field.

Horner played in the Red Raiders final game of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. The Texas native played 21 minutes and recorded 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field, three rebounds, one assist and two steals. He missed the one three-pointer that he attempted in the contest.

Will Leon Horner Find a Bigger Role After Entering the Transfer Portal?

Horner committed to Tech in early May 2024 after being a three-star recruit. As a prospect, Horner was ranked as the 58th small forward in the country and the 19th-best player in the state of Texas, according to 247 Sports.

As far as his ranking in the transfer portal, it's too early to tell. 247Sports has yet to release his ranking on that front.

Horner will look for more opportunities as he enters the transfer portal. He hardly got any run under Grant McCasland, but when he did, he did good work for the Red Raiders.

In the limited minutes he saw on the court, Horner showed solid offensive skills, posting strong shooting percentages across the key categories. His main drawbacks were frequent fouling and struggles in the floor game. Nevertheless, Horner is a physical, aggressive guard, and with improved discipline, he has the potential to be a strong contributor on both ends of the floor.

There is no clear frontrunner for Horner as he enters the portal for the first time in his college career.

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