Three years ago, Will Hammond put up a jaw-dropping stat line that drew even the attention of Patrick Mahomes.As a senior at Hutto (Texas) High School, Hammond — now the presumptive starting quarterback at Texas Tech following the Brendan Sorsby fallout — accounted for 807 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns in an 82-80 loss to nearby power Liberty Hill.
Go crazy then 🤣🤣 @Will_Hammond13 https://t.co/UtiF0gWFKZ
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) September 2, 2023Now that Sorsby has relinquished his fight for eligibility and intends to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft, Texas Tech is without its prized transfer quarterback for the 2026 season. So where do the Red Raiders go from here at the game’s most important position?They’ll turn to Hammond, the athletic, accurate, competitive fireball who has been viewed as the program’s future since he stepped on campus in 2024. For those who haven’t seen him play, or are just peering in on Texas Tech football amid the Sorsby drama, what do the Red Raiders have in Hammond?“They have a competitor,” Will Compton, Hammond’s high school coach, said. “We saw a glimpse of it last year, but just to see how he progresses inside of the offense, hopefully (he) makes some Texas Tech people really happy.”Here are a few things to know about Hammond, Tech’s quarterback situation post-Sorsby, and another name to keep in mind as the 2026 season approaches.The fallout after Texas state court allows Brendan Sorsby to playJustin Williams and Madison EadesHammond is recovering from a torn ACLSince Hammond arrived in Lubbock, those inside the program viewed him as the heir apparent to Behren Morton, the multiyear starter and seventh-round NFL Draft pick who led Tech to the College Football Playoff last year.Hammond’s turn as QB1 seemed imminent, especially after he dazzled in relief of an injured Morton in a Week 4 road win at Utah last season.Hammond started two games later in October in place of Morton, but tore the ACL in his right knee in the second start, a 42-0 win over Oklahoma State. The lengthy recovery timetable suddenly put Texas Tech in the market for a transfer quarterback, and the program landed Sorsby from Cincinnati.But Hammond’s recovery appears to be going well. In the spring, Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire told reporters in Lubbock that he estimated Hammond would be ready by Week 3, when the Red Raiders host Houston in their Big 12 opener.While in Houston last week for a speaking engagement, McGuire provided an updated timeline that sounded more optimistic.“I wish I would have phrased my answer differently during the spring, because it was more football-ready versus being released to start practicing and everything,” McGuire said.McGuire said Hammond had been cleared to throw before spring break and was recently cleared to participate in the team’s 7-on-7 summer workouts this month, which players hold three times a week. “He looks great,” McGuire said. “I asked him (after the first week of workouts), and he said, ‘I feel electric, coach.’”A team source recently told The Athletic that in May, Hammond hit 20.5 miles per hour on the GPS while running full speed in a straight line, and he was throwing without limitations. “I’m pretty hopeful that he’ll be back for Week 1,” said the source, who was granted anonymity to discuss internal team matters.
