(BCSNN) -- Texas Tech secured another major in‑state commitment Saturday with the pledge of four‑star wide receiver Julian Caldwell, flexing the Red Raiders' recruiting strength in and around the state of Texas.

Caldwell, a 6‑foot‑1, 185‑pound prospect from Argyle, Texas, is 247’s No. 17 wide receiver in the 2027 class. He chose the Red Raiders over Texas and Oregon after taking unofficial visits to all three programs earlier this spring.

“The program is hot right now,” Caldwell said our friends over at ESPN. “It’s something I want to be a part of.”

Caldwell is the No. 9 overall prospect in Texas for 2027, according to ESPN rankings, and his commitment continues a powerful in‑state surge for head coach Joey McGuire, who led Texas Tech to a Big 12 title and its first College Football Playoff appearance last fall.

With Caldwell on board, Texas Tech now holds commitments from seven of the 40 Texas prospects ranked inside the 2027 SC Next 300 — more than any other program nationally. The group includes five‑star defensive tackle Jalen Brewster, ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2027, No. 3 quarterback Kavian Bryant (No. 48 overall) and three additional top‑15 prospects in the state.

The Red Raiders also won another in‑state battle last month when four‑star running back SaRod Baker, a record‑setting rusher from DeSoto, committed to the program over Texas and Texas A&M.

Caldwell emerged as a standout at Argyle High School, where he recorded 94 catches for 1,737 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. Texas Tech was among the earliest programs to recruit him, offering a scholarship before his sophomore season in July 2024.

Caldwell told ESPN that his familiarity with the program and its offensive system — along with relationships with fellow Texas Tech commits such as Brewster and Bryant — separated the Red Raiders from Texas and Oregon.

“I’ve been talking to Texas Tech for a really long time,” he said. “I love the scheme they run. It’s very similar to what we run now with my high school. I think I definitely fit at Texas Tech and there’s just a lot of opportunity there. I believe I can play there early, as well.”

There might be some questions at QB this season, but the future is definitely bright in Lubbock. Texas Tech’s 2027 recruiting class debuted at No. 3 in ESPN’s initial class rankings on April 17, anchored by Brewster and five‑star defensive end Anthony Sweeney (No. 19 overall). McGuire and the Red Raiders signed the nation’s No. 13 class in 2026, led by five‑star outside linebacker LaDamion Guyton and No. 4 offensive tackle Felix Ojo