The Texas Tech Red Raiders were anticipating a big boost in the lineup this season with the return of star JT Toppin following recovery from an ACL injury. However, with the 2026-27 college basketball season set to get underway at the beginning of November, his potential status for the year is suddenly up in the air, as per Jon Rothstein of 247 Sports.

According to Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland, JT Toppin has not been practicing with the team and a potential timeline for his return to the court is currently unknown. In a bit of an eye-opening reveal, McCasland stated via Rothstein that Toppin would have used a medical redshirt season this year if the NCAA did not pass the new age-based eligibility model.

Toppin was in the midst of a breakout junior season last year prior to suffering the ACL injury in February. He had appeared in 25 games, all starts, at a little over 34 minutes per game. He was averaging a career-best 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.7 blocked shots with splits of 54.8 percent shooting from the field, 28.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 57.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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In addition to his points, his rebounds, assists and steals were also career-bests. This year is Toppin’s third season with the Red Raiders after transferring following his freshman year at New Mexico in 2023-24. In his first season with Texas Tech, he won the Big 12 Player of the Year Award.

Toppin is considered an NBA Draft prospect, with his range likely being in the second round.