The Red Raiders have a three-headed monster in the backfield. Despite having no clear "star" ball-carrier, the depth is one of the many reasons Texas Tech has confidence in 2026.
LUBBOCK - The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the first season of quarterback Will Hammond, barring his health, under center consistently.
But returning all of the rushing production from last year and adding a former Big Ten starter gives head coach Joey McGuire all the confidence in the world when it comes to running the offense.
Tech will roll out a three-headed running back committee of Cameron Dickey, J'Koby Williams and Quinten Joyner, the latter of whom is making his debut in the scarlet and black after missing the entire 2025 season due to a preseason knee injury.
Despite none of the three being true "superstars," and without individual recognition on the national stage, Tech commands the No. 1-ranked running back room according to the analytics experts at Pro Football Focus.
Joyner, who tore his ACL last August but has been cleared to take part in training camp, is a potential X-factor for the Red Raiders defending their Big 12 crown. Hammond is thought of in a similar light given the obvious importance of the quarterback position.
"I'm really happy where they're at," McGuire said about the duo this week. "Starting with Will, he's gotten to do a lot more than Q [Joyner] has leading up to camp - and we don't hit Will, so there's a little bit of difference there, but I've been really proud of what he's doing. He's moving really well whenever he has to sprint out, whenever he has to scramble."
Joyner enters his second year in Lubbock after transferring from USC following the 2024 season. With the Trojans during their transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, Joyner compiled 603 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His role expanded greatly as a sophomore, when he posted career highs across the board.
That led many to believe Joyner would've been McGuire's RB1 if he was healthy last season. Instead, Dickey and Williams emerged as the best rushing duo in the Big 12, and one of the best in the country.
Dickey was an all-conference selection after leading the Big 12 with 14 rushing touchdowns. He ran for 1,124 yards and will compete with BYU's LJ Martin and West Virginia's Cam Cook as the best ball carriers in the conference (if Dickey's own teammates don't have anything to say themselves in the competition).
Williams was more of a gadget piece for the Red Raiders during their historic season. Still, he recorded an impressive 868 yards rushing to go with 388 yards receiving and eight total touchdowns.
It will be interesting to see the packages McGuire has prepared to get the trio enough snaps to produce, but Joyner regaining his rhythm is the first step in him officially becoming a figure in the offense.
"He's just getting back used to being in the pads again, the cuts, where you are getting hit," McGuire said. "He's not been taken to the ground yet, but he's been hit some, so he's handling that really well."
Joyner, the largest of the bunch at 225 pounds, adds a new layer to a rushing department that already exceeded expectations a year ago with over 180 yards per game.
McGuire hinted at "that first game" for when he might see Joyner fully regain his confidence after the injury. That suggests that each of the three running backs will get their chances in the Texas Tech's season-opener on Sep. 5 against Abilene Christian.
All signs are pointing to Hammond being ready to go at least by the time conference season starts, but if push comes to shove, the Red Raiders boast the best running back room in the nation to keep them afloat.
