Texas Tech secures starting defensive tackle Mateen Ibirogba from Wake Forest
The Red Raiders have added a 300-pound defensive tackle who recorded 21 tackles last season and is expected to start immediately.
Texas Tech football has completed the signing of defensive tackle Mateen Ibirogba, who transferred from Wake Forest University. The Red Raiders have immediately integrated Ibirogba into their starting lineup on the defensive line, citing his physical development and potential to impact the Power Four conference schedule.
Ibirogba’s collegiate career began at Georgetown University, where he entered as a 6-foot-4, 240-pound edge defender in the Football Championship Subdivision. After two seasons at Georgetown, he spent two years at Wake Forest before entering the NCAA transfer portal. During his time in college, Ibirogba increased his weight to 300 pounds through dedicated nutrition and strength conditioning programs.
The 300-pound prospect attracted significant interest from multiple institutions, including Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech, before selecting Texas Tech. Teammates have highlighted his physical attributes, with linebacker John Curry describing him as one of the most physically gifted players he has encountered, and center Sheridan Wilson noting his exceptional strength.
In his final season at Wake Forest, Ibirogba recorded 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. While these statistics may not appear dominant on paper, the coaching staff and players believe his physical tools and leverage, developed partly through his high school lacrosse background in Maryland, translate effectively to the collegiate defensive line.
Ibirogba, whose surname is pronounced "EE-bee-RO-buh" with a silent "g", is of Nigerian and Ghanaian ancestry. His family immigrated to the United States approximately 25 years ago. He brings a mindset focused on effort and leverage, qualities that Texas Tech intends to leverage immediately as they prepare for the upcoming season.
