With transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby potentially facing a gambling investigation, it's time we check in on second-stringer Will Hammond.
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has potentially found himself on the doorstep of an unprecedented gambling investigation following his self-admission into a residential treatment facility, removing himself from the Red Raiders' spring practices.
Sorsby was the No. 1-rated prospect in this offseason's transfer portal cycle and reportedly inked a NIL package with Texas Tech that is worth upwards of $5 million for his final year of eligibility in 2026.
With the threat of an investigation and potential penalty looming, it's worth noting what the rest Joey McGuire's quarterback room looks like. We've reached the "ghost phase" of the portal calendar, meaning Texas Tech will need to enter the next season with the players they have.
The immediate backup to Sorsby is expected to be the speedy Will Hammond, who shined in the Utah game for Texas Tech last season when veteran starter Behren Morton was injured.
Hammond, an incoming junior from Hutto, Texas, has appeared in 12 games for the Red Raiders since arriving in Lubbock ahead of the 2024 campaign. He suffered a torn ACL in October of last season against Oklahoma State, which has put a major spotlight on his early-season status.
Amid the Sorsby news, however, one report suggests good news for his incumbent substitute.
On3 reports that Hammond, who missed the entire organized spring program, has returned to throwing in the last 10 days. Says reporter Pete Nakos, "The full timeline for a return remains unclear, but there is optimism that he should be healthy by Week 1 against Abilene Christian. It’s unclear if he will be “100% healthy” by Sept. 5, a source told On3."
The other QBs on the roster include redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III and Kirk Francis.
Jones, a 4-star high school recruit out of Hitchcock in the greater Houston area, has appeared in just one game in his lone season with the Red Raiders thus far. He completed 4-of-5 passes, two of which went for touchdowns, in Texas Tech's 49-0 win at West Virginia in late November.
Francis offers more college experience. The first-year Red Raider has transferred in from Tulsa, where he's appeared in 18 games across three seasons.
His best season came in 2024 when he completed 149-of-253 passing (58.9 percent) for 1,585 yards and nine touchdowns.
Though McGuire initially spoke of Hammond's expected return date with caution, this update could mean that things are on the right track for a fast return.
"As far as when we get him back, game-wise, we won’t let him get ahead of schedule, but he’s ahead of schedule,” McGuire said of Hammond. “And I knew he would be. He’s a different dude. But it’s still going to be Week 3 at best when you count out from when he had surgery."
Texas Tech will have to see whether his return to action will be needed as Sorsby's situation unfolds this summer.
