Adam Trick knew exactly who to talk to when the Texas Tech football team reached out after he put his name into the transfer portal.
Reggie Virgil had just wrapped up a stellar season with the Red Raiders and was on his way to being taken in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals
. Trick and Virgil were close during their time together at Miami (Ohio), joining the RedHawks as part of the 2022 recruiting class.Trick's main question for Virgil centered on head coach Joey McGuire, trying to separate perception from reality.
"He was like, 'Who you saw on your visit, he's like that every single day,'" Virgil told Trick about McGuire, "and he's not lying."
A three-star recruit out of high school, Trick's list of college choice
centered around the Group of 5 structure, leading him to the MAC. He bolstered his options with a career campaign in 2025, posting 59 total tackles (26 solo), 12.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, and 8.5 sacks. Texas Tech wasn't the only power program after Trick's services, a testament to the year the Dayton, Ohio, native put together.
But Trick's career season came during a difficult time in his life. Connor Trick, Adam's brother, died in June 2025.
"It's been extremely challenging," Trick said. "The hardest part of my life by far, but I will say through it all, football's been something I can, you know, it kind of eases my mind. No matter how bad of a day I'm having, no matter what I'm feeling, I can show up to football, and that's kind of been a calming thing for me."
Trick had added motivation on the field, channeling his devastation into football success. The gridiron is where he finds solace.
"I have peace when I'm out on the field," Trick said, "and especially playing through last season. I was playing for my family. I was playing for my brother, and that was motivation to just go out there and give it my all every single day."
As sweet as the season was for Trick, he also understands the position he occupies now: playing for a Big 12 team in the national spotlight. Team success for the Red Raiders and individual success for himself open the door for a greater cause, one that Trick hopes can resonate with more people as he honors Connor on and off the field.
"The one thing I want to do is use football as a platform," Trick said. "The more success I'm having, the bigger platform I can have and just share things about men's mental health, suicide prevention.
"Just speak up that it's OK to not feel right, or feel OK. I encourage anyone who feels that way to speak up and talk to someone you love and just let them know you're having those thoughts."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech’s Adam Trick honors his late brother through football, advocacy
