Coming off a torn ACL, dual-threat sophomore Will Hammond aims to defy conservative national rankings and lead the defending Big 12 champions back to elite status.
Will Hammond enters the 2026 season with plenty of expectations, and one recent quarterback ranking suggests the Texas Tech signal-caller still has work to do before he's viewed among the nation's elite.
After being named the Red Raiders' starting quarterback for the upcoming season, Hammond was slotted at No. 35 in The Athletic's ranking of college football quarterbacks.
"With Brendan Sorsby out of the picture, the Red Raiders’ hopes rest on Hammond, their 2024 quarterback signee," The Athletic writes. "His dazzling second-half performance against Utah in relief of Behren Morton won supporters last season, but he was up-and-down in a loss to Arizona State. He’s still recovering from a knee injury suffered last October, but head coach Joey McGuire recently confirmed Hammond is expected to be cleared and ready for Week 1."
While some Texas Tech fans may feel that ranking is a bit conservative, it's understandable considering Hammond's path to this point. The former four-star recruit has shown he possesses the athleticism and arm talent to thrive in Joey McGuire's offense. Last year, Hammond suffered a torn ACL that cut short what appeared to be a promising campaign after he had stepped into a larger role for the Red Raiders.
Even so, Hammond has already demonstrated he can produce when called upon. Across his career, he has thrown for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns while adding another seven scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability gives Texas Tech's offense another dimension, making him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain when healthy.
The biggest question entering the fall is whether Hammond can stay on the field. The good news for Texas Tech is that the sophomore has said he has fully recovered from the knee injury, and head coach Joey McGuire has also expressed confidence that his quarterback will be ready for the season opener.
Hammond even noted that he surpassed his pre-injury speed during rehabilitation, an encouraging sign for a player whose mobility is a major part of his game.
If he can put together a full season, there's a strong chance Hammond will outperform his preseason ranking. Texas Tech enters 2026 with high expectations after winning the Big 12 a year ago, and the Red Raiders have enough talent around Hammond to help him succeed.
