Fun Facts about new Texas Tech RB commit Ashton Rowden
Texas Tech earned a commitment from New Boston (TX) HS four-star running back Ashton “Ace” Rowden on Thursday, who chose the Red Raiders over offers from TCU, Houston, Minnesota and several others.
Rowden becomes the 17th overall commitment and first running back of Texas Tech’s 2026 class.
Today, we take a look at some fun facts about the 5-foot-11, 200 pound prospect out of East Texas.
Top ranked recruit
Any time your schools lands a top priority recruit, it’s a cause for celebration. It’s even more notable when the prospect is one of the best in the country.
Rowden is rated by On3 as the No. 177 overall prospect in the 2026 class, the No. 20 running back and the No. 23 best player in the state of Texas.
Make no mistake, Rowden is a huge win and will be Tech’s next star running back following in the footsteps of Tahj Brooks, Byron Hanspard, James Gray, Bam Morris, Deandre Washington, Taurean Henderson and so many more who came before him.
Texas Tech is back in #bEastTexas
Rowden is yet another recruit to choose the Red Raiders from the 903 in the 2026 recruiting class.
Texas Tech already held pledges from Palestine’s S’Vioarean Martin, Mount Pleasant’s Ayden Johnson and Mount Enterprise’s Kaegan Ash.
Adding more prospects from talent-rich East Texas is never a bad option.
First Rowden in Texas Tech history
Per Texas Tech’s 2024 media guide, there has never been another Rowden to suit up for the scarlet and black.
There has been another Ashton however, and it was a recent one in 2024 signee Ashton Hampton.
As for his nickname “Ace”, there has been an (Gerardo) Acevedo, a (J)ace (Amaro), and I’m pretty sure NiJaree Canady is an ace under every definition of the word.
Looking ahead
Texas Tech currently has three scholarship running backs on campus, and all are sophomores. By the time Rowden enrolls, Quinten Joyner could be headed to the NFL, with both J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey entering their junior seasons.
Though the transfer portal will always exist and could change things, that makes for an interesting dynamic in that Rowden could receive early playing time and very shortly after that could be the lead back in Lubbock.
