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Texas Tech Taps Its Starting Quarterback
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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