When you meet Texas Tech University football player and economics Ph.D. student Jurrien Loftin, the word “balance” takes on new meaning. As a Division I football player pursuing a doctoral degree, Loftin navigates two worlds, from early morning practice with the team to late-night studying and research.

“I never really thought I was going to play college football,” Loftin said. “If you’d told me my freshman or sophomore year in high school that I’d be playing at Texas Tech, I would’ve said you were lying.”

But for Loftin, life had other plans. After a disrupted recruiting season during the COVID-19 pandemic, his senior year of high school brought new opportunities. When he and his mother visited Texas Tech, they sat in a class taught by the chair of the Department of Economics Rashid Al-Hmoud, Ph.D., an experience Loftin said was pivotal in his decision to become a Red Raider.

“I got an email from the Honors College about this student-athlete who was being recruited by both athletics and academics,” Al-Hmoud recalled. “They asked if I could meet with him, and I said, ‘Of course.’ I even invited him to come sit in on one of my classes. When I walked in, there was this giant young man sitting next to his mom. Even though he was still in high school, Jurrien asked questions and was curious and sharp. Later, he told me his experience during that class helped convince him to come to Tech.”

That early connection made an impression on both sides. Loftin enrolled at Texas Tech through the College of Arts & Sciences and the Honors College, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in mathematics in just three years. Now, as a Ph.D. student in economics, he’s researching sports economics and exploring the data and decision-making that shape modern college athletics.

“I’ve been working with Dr. Alejandro Abarca and our team on projects about NIL and transfer portal analysis,” Loftin explained. “We’re looking at how economic incentives affect player productivity and outcomes. It’s exciting to study something I’m also living and seeing on the field every day.”

Al-Hmoud sees Loftin’s path as part of a growing strength in Texas Tech’s economics program, which is defined by faculty mentorship and genuine care for students.

“At Texas Tech, we truly know our students,” Al-Hmoud said. “That’s not just a slogan, it’s our culture. We provide opportunities for collaboration, research, and support at every level. When students come to us for help, we will move mountains for them.”

That support extends far beyond the classroom. Loftin’s success reflects the intentionality of Texas Tech Athletics’ academic support structure, which was designed to help student athletes thrive academically and athletically.

“It’s extremely rare for someone to be on this type of path,” said Executive Director for Academic Excellence and Associate Athletics Director for Academic Advising Aaron Tebo. “It’s not rare for us to have high-achieving student athletes. Every single sport at Texas Tech has strong academic performers, and our combined student-athlete GPA is a 3.41, which is something we’re incredibly proud of. But what makes Jurrien unique is that he’s taken full advantage of his opportunities by graduating early and now pursuing a Ph.D. while still competing in Division I football.”

Tebo said supporting student athletes through demanding academic paths requires university-wide coordination and commitment.

“When a student-athlete tells us they want to go to medical school or law school or pursue a Ph.D., we don’t just tell them good luck,” Tebo said. “We start mapping out that plan from day one, talking through timelines, course loads, travel, everything. We push them, just like their coaches do, to achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves. What I think makes Texas Tech special is that our coaches fully support those goals, too. They never see academics as a distraction but more as part of what makes these athletes great.”

Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Excellence Marissa Tidwell agreed, adding that success in the classroom and in their sport requires exceptional support.

“For football, we have two full-time advisors. One oversees offense, and one oversees defense,” Tidwell said. “Our goal is to make sure every student athlete stays on track for graduation. If you’re on track to graduate, you’re eligible to play, and that’s what we emphasize. We build academic plans based on their goals, and many students want to pursue a master’s certificate or program after they finish their undergrad degree plan. This fall, we have 21 players on the team who already hold undergraduate degrees, and Jurrien is the only one pursuing a Ph.D.”

The support from both the Department of Economics and Texas Tech Athletics has been crucial as Loftin manages an extremely demanding schedule. Between coursework, research, teaching assistant duties and daily team activities and training, his weeks are packed from start to finish.

“My week is pretty full,” Loftin said. “Between classes, film, practice, grading and research, time management is everything. I get up early and try to get things done before the day gets away from me. That’s how I stay on top of it all.”

Even with that intense pace, Al-Hmoud says Loftin has risen to the challenge.

“The first semester of a Ph.D. program is the most demanding one, and Jurrien is taking 12 hours while maintaining the responsibilities of a Division I athlete,” Al-Hmoud said. “I’ve been quietly checking in with his professors, and it seems he’s handling it beautifully. He’s driven, humble and deeply appreciative of the gifts he’s been given. Those are the signs of someone who will succeed.”

Beyond his own success, Loftin’s research is already contributing to broader conversations in sports economics, which is a growing field that combines data analysis, behavioral science and athletic performance.

“With Jurrien, I see a path for him to become one of the few true sports economists,” Al-Hmoud added. “We’ve already involved him in several projects, including one that studies the impact of athletic wins on university enrollment, or what’s known as the ‘Flutie Effect.’ He’s exactly the kind of student who can bridge athletics and academics in meaningful ways.”

Loftin’s notable academic excellence earned him significant recognition and support. As a Presidential Merit Scholar, he received one of Texas Tech’s most competitive academic awards.

“That scholarship was a huge reason I chose to come to Texas Tech,” Loftin said. “It allowed me to make the decision to walk on rather than pursue other offers, and it set me up for a future where I could be debt-free, which is a rare and incredible opportunity.”

In addition to the Presidential Merit Scholarship, Loftin was selected for the Department of Economics Chair Scholarship through the College of Arts & Sciences, which helped cover additional academic costs.

“It was an incredible honor to receive that award,” Loftin said. “That support meant everything because it has allowed me to focus on both academics and athletics without financial strain.”

Loftin credits much of his perseverance to his faith and the support system he’s found at Texas Tech.

“There’s a story in the Bible, the Parable of the Talents,” Loftin said. “It talks about using what you’ve been given and multiplying it instead of burying it. That’s what motivates me. I’ve been given these opportunities, so I feel called to make the most of them.”

Texas Tech Head Football Coach Joey McGuire said Loftin’s relentless work ethic is rooted in the values instilled by his parents and strengthened by his own determination to balance the demanding worlds of collegiate athletics and high-level academics.

“I mess with Jurrien all the time and I call him ‘Dr. Loftin,’” McGuire said. “It really shows you how much he has put into his time at Texas Tech.”

McGuire said beyond Loftin’s own accomplishments, he has become a steady mentor to his teammates with his guidance extending off the field, helping teammates manage their schedules, stay organized and prioritize what matters most to their success as both students and athletes.

“He takes all of our young linemen under his wing,” McGuire said. “He has been a great leader for this team and a great ambassador for Texas Tech.”

Loftin’s story represents something larger. This kind of personalized mentorship and academic excellence defines all that the College of Arts & Sciences has to offer. His journey is proof that with the right support, students can reach incredible heights.

“Every day I wake up grateful to be here,” Loftin said. “To play the sport I love, to learn from incredible professors and to represent this university. It’s a blessing I don’t take lightly.”

To support students like Jurrien, you can give to the IMPACT Merit Scholarship and the College of Arts & Sciences general scholarship funds. Your donation contributes to ON&ON: The Campaign for Texas Tech University.