The redshirt sophomore detailed his upcoming opportunity after the Red Raiders added a backup option just days before the first game of the season.
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Will Hammond is entering his third season at Texas Tech, but his first season as the full-time starting quarterback.
That lack of consistent experience could be enough to make doubters worry about the Red Raiders' chance to repeat as conference champions, and Hammond returning from the torn ACL that cut last season short further adds to that uncertainty.
And ... consider the outside noise surrounding his room: Tech transfer Brendan Sorsby's drawn-out eligibility battle and the Red Raiders adding Tommy Castellanos in the portal just days before Week 1, though as a backup.
Through it all, Hammond is focused on living out what he's been long anticipating.
"This is a dream of mine," Hammond said in Tuesday's media availability, "and I was thinking back last night to Year 1, Week 1, Year 2, Week 1, and just kind of the excitement leading up to each of those games, and the excitement that we have this week leading up to this game."
Tech hosts Abilene Christian on Saturday at Galaxy Stadium to kick off their first-ever Big 12 title defense season.
"It's just a special opportunity to be the starting quarterback for Texas Tech University, be able to represent this team, this university, and we've got a special group of guys and we're excited to share that for y'all," Hammond added.
The Hutto product impressed last season in his eight appearances before getting hurt, but his experience pales in comparison to Castellanos, who has over three full seasons as a starter at various stops.
He comes to Lubbock after a year at Florida State, where he proved he's still one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country. At Boston College in 2023, Castellanos rushed for 13 touchdowns and over 1,100 yards on over 5 yards per attempt.
Despite speculation of a new-found competition for the starting job, Hammond, in fact, was open to the idea of adding Castellanos. Head coach Joey McGuire included him in the recruitment process, as well as captains on both sides of the ball.
"Will had already known what was going on," McGuire said, "but I wanted those two guys to know exactly what was going on and what we were doing. This day and age, you don't deal with as many athletes as you used to, like Will Hammond.
"One of the comments he made was, if something happens to me, I would hate that for Ben Roberts, Sheridan Wilson in their senior year, and that just kind of tells you about Will Hammond because most people, athletes that you deal with today, they are thinking more about themselves than the team.
"And, man, we've got a leader in Will Hammond that's thinking about the team and how he can help us, whether he's on or off the field."
McGuire explained that it might be until the second game week for Castellanos, whose signing was officially announced on Aug. 29, to get fully comfortable with the offense. Still, the coach didn't rule out that Castellanos' versatility could be used right away.
Hammond has already began connecting with his new teammate.
"It was a great conversation," Hammond said, "and I think it's important to bring someone like that in. Just for the depth in the room and to just add more value to the offense."
Castellanos is now in competition with Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis and redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III to backup Hammond.
