Another legal situation is plaguing the Texas Tech quarterback room.
LUBBOCK - Remember, Texas Tech describes it as them not having a traditional "quarterback controversy" between starter Will Hammond and experienced dual-threat Thomas Castellanos.
But like much of the rest of the Red Raiders' offseason, the situation remains controversial.
Friday, the Kentucky Court of Appeals dissolved a case that granted temporary restraining orders against the NCAA to Castellanos and over 40 student-athletes against for an additional year of eligibility, one Castellanos has used through four games with No. 12-ranked Texas Tech.
By law, Castellanos is now ineligible. On3 reports, however, that Texas Tech could continue to fight the case under its definition of "professionalism," as the current NCAA manual is written.
My take? Let it go. Temporary injunctions were already the story of Tech's offseason, a summer of discussion that circled Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby and his gambling scandal during a time when the focus should've been on the Red Raiders' historic Big 12 championship in 2025.
Castellanos plot may not be as devious as the Sorsby one did (he's simply pleading to be grandfathered into the NCAA's new five-year eligibility window, not escape punishment of betting on games), but the fact remains that Castellanos' involvement in an external legal battle only serves as a distraction.
That is heightened by it boiling over during the season. Texas Tech is 4-0; the last thing the team needs is a distraction from figuring out how to play better in the first half of games before conference play intensifies, starting Saturday night with Colorado at Folsom Field.
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire has introduced Castellanos into the Red Raiders' offense at least once in each of the team's first four games of the season, even though the Florida State transfer joined the team just days before the opener.
The Castellanos package typically comes in the red zone, either including Castellanos taking a direct snap for a designed run, or rolling out and looking downfield. Thus far, things have been hit or miss. Castellanos has 44 rushing yards on 10 carries with two touchdowns. Through the air, he is 2 for 4 with two touchdowns and an interception.
While Castellanos is athletically gifted and brings dynamics to an offense that has its starter returning from a torn ACL, Hammond remaining the full-time quarterback shouldn't be an issue for the Red Raiders.
The redshirt sophomore has completed 69 percent of his throws for 968 yards and five passing touchdowns. Hammond has also shown his ability to scramble, returning near the level it was before last year's injury (last week jetting to a 23-yard touchdown run against Sam Houston).
Hammond should also find satisfaction with ending drives he orchestrated, instead of subbing out near the end zone for Castellanos when he could be the one pushing Texas Tech in himself.
We will see that play out Saturday as the Buffaloes host the Red Raiders at 6:30 p.m. on FOX.
And Texas Tech hopes that, from this point forward, the only issues coming out of their quarterback room are the ones happening on the field.
