Will Hammond is officially Texas Tech‘s starting quarterback.
The Red Raiders football social accounts confirmed the decision Friday that Hammond, a redshirt sophomore, won the job over Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis.
The decision comes after a months-long gambling scandal around Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby and his eligibility for the 2026 regular season. With Sorsby dismissed, Joey McGuire and Texas Tech are turning to Hammond, a high-upside, experienced backup, as the offense’s signal-caller.
Filling the shoes of Behren Morton multiple times last year, Hammond completed 63% of his attempts for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions; Hammond, an Austin, Texas, native, was sacked just three times across his five appearances and finished with a QBR of 73.6 (35th).
Hammond can confidently lead the Red Raiders on a winning campaign, and it’s hard to say Texas Tech’s prospects for a Big 12 title change all that much without Sorsby at quarterback. Earlier this week, Hammond spoke of just how prepared he was for Week 1 against Abilene Christian.
The eyes are on Texas Tech to replicate last year’s successes and rectify a disappointing Oregon loss with a deeper run in the College Football Playoff. The first major test of the season comes in Lubbock when the Red Raiders host Houston for a weeknight thriller on Sept. 18.
