LaDamion Guyton is supposed to be getting ready for his senior year of high school. Instead, the five-star prospect is standing out at Texas Tech football practice, even after getting to campus late.
Guyton was one of the top prospects in the 2027 recruiting class before reclassifying to the 2026 class. Rather than be one of the centerpieces for Joey McGuire's next group of talented high school prospects in the spring, Guyton is already in Lubbock, arriving on the first day of Tech's fall camp.
It's only been a few weeks, but the 6-foot-3, 250-pound outside linebacker stands out, even amongst other position groups.
"I'm so impressed," Texas Tech defensive line coach Imarjaye Albury said of Guyton. "I've never seen a freshman that mature, that locked
in. He ain't gonna talk much. You won't even see him smile. I pay attention to him in meetings. He's taking notes. It's a guy that doesn't have mental busts out there and he goes out there and tries to run through people."
Guyton and Felix Ojo are the two biggest names for Tech's 2026 recruiting class. Ojo is currently working as the No. 2 left tackle and should see some time during the Red Raiders' first few games of the season. Playing on the offensive line, where rotating players doesn't happen as often, Ojo's playing time once Big 12 Conference play kicks into high gear is up in the air.
Guyton, on the other hand, has a chance to see more time on the field. Playing behind the likes of Trey White and Adam Trick, the Savannah, Georgia, native should get some opportunity to show what he's capable of throughout the 2026 campaign.
Jacquies Smith, Tech's new outside linebackers coach, taking over for C.J. Ah You, knows there's a balance between expecting the world of his young athlete and letting him get adjusted to life in college.
"There's a plan that you put in place for younger guys as far as trajectory," Smith said, "and the way you want them to be able to trend, just to get him to the first game to make sure he's not overloaded and things of that nature. But like I've been saying, man, he's doing everything that we're asking of him, and he's doing a really good job with everything they do."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 5-star early enrollee LaDamion Guyton impressing at Texas Tech football practice
