LUBBOCK, Texas – An absolute record Setting $18.5 million donation was awarded to President Schmid by Texas Tech Red Raider great Michael Crabtree. This was done through creating the Michael Crabtree Endowed Scholarship which is the largest ever recorded player funded scholarship in NCAA history. Alongside the financial details, Michael Crabtree is a two time winner of the Biletnikoffer award which increases the credibility of the red raider program.

According to the announcement made on 7/07/2025 the funds are set to help Texas Tech with recruitment for the 2025 Big 12 season which is bound to leave fans elated and further cement crabtrees legacy as a red raider great. Moreover It said the funds will be able to subsidize the cost for regularly paying wide receivers,among other crucial positions which would provide balanced competitifness for the student athletes coached by joey mcguire within his aggressive building program.

 

He earned record-setting accolades while electrifying Jones AT&T Stadium from 2007-2008, setting the bar especially high with 231 catches, 3,127 yards, and 41 touchdowns in only 2 seasons. Of all the memories, his game winning touchdown in 2008 against number one Texas with a 28 yard strike from Graham Harrell with one second on the clock is arguably the most memorable. It not only marked the highlight of that season but also lifted the Red Raiders to an 11-2 season and a number 12 ranking in the nation.

In 2022 he was inducted in the hall of fame which he shares with being a two time unanimous all american. His intel ed tech features also showcase his dedication for the school. Ultimately, crowdfunded solutions for education like his in 2019 through a $100,000 donation reveal a deeper level of devotion that has now transcended the hefty 18.5 million donation used to set new precedent for alumni donations in college football which dwarfs the previous record.

“Texas Tech will always be home,” Crabtree said at a press conference. “This endowment is about giving future Red Raiders the chance to chase their dreams, just like I did.” The gift, funded partly by Crabtree’s $64 million NFL earnings, will provide full scholarships, academic support, and NIL opportunities, aligning with Texas Tech’s aggressive recruiting strategy.

In 2025, the program secured five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo with a $5.1 million revenue-sharing deal, signaling its Big 12 title ambitions. Crabtree’s endowment ensures long-term financial backing, positioning Texas Tech to attract elite talent like quarterback Will Hammond and linebacker David Bailey.

Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt hailed the donation as transformative. “Michael Crabtree’s legacy is unmatched, and this $18.5 million gift sets an NCAA precedent,” Hocutt said. “It secures our recruiting edge for 2025 and beyond, elevating Texas Tech among college football’s elite.” The endowment, administered through the Red Raider Club, will fund scholarships for wide receivers and other positions, reflecting Crabtree’s versatility as a former high school quarterback who transitioned to receiver under coach Mike Leach.

Fans erupted in celebration, with social media buzzing about Crabtree’s impact. “The Crabtree catch in ’08 changed everything,” tweeted @RedRaiderFan12. “Now he’s changing lives with $18.5M!” The endowment builds on Crabtree’s Crab5 Foundation, which supports inner-city youth, and his 2019 scholarship, which inspired fans like Terry Fuller to crowdfund $100,000.

This new gift, however, is a game-changer, positioning Texas Tech to compete with powerhouses like Oklahoma and Texas in the 2025 Big 12 race, with a projected 8–4 record and a 10.3% chance of reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Crabtree, now 37, reflected on his journey from Dallas Carter High School to NFL stardom with the San Francisco 49ers and others. “Lubbock believed in me,” he said. “This is my way of giving back.” The endowment also honors his 2021 Ring of Honor induction and 2022 Hall of Fame enshrinement, ensuring his legacy endures. As Texas Tech prepares for a pivotal 2025 season, Crabtree’s historic gift galvanizes Red Raider Nation, promising a bright future for the program he helped define.