Texas Tech just dropped some serious news on Friday, officially naming Will Hammond as their starting quarterback for the 2026 college football season. This isn’t just a casual announcement, it came straight from the program’s official X account, making it crystal clear: the Hammond era is here, and it’s time to see what this kid can do after a wild 2025 season that saw the Red Raiders come so close to glory.
From Backup to Big Shot: Hammond’s Rise
So, who is Will Hammond? He’s been with the Red Raiders for a couple of seasons already, but let’s be real, he hasn’t exactly lit up the scoreboard. In 2024, he finished with 471 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two picks. Then in 2025, he bumped those numbers to 680 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. Decent, but nothing that screamed “future starter,” right? Now, he’s got the keys to the offense, taking over from Behren Morton, who was electric last season. Morton threw for a whopping 2,780 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, completing 66 percent of his passes.
That means Hammond is stepping into some massive shoes, no doubt about it. Morton led the Red Raiders to an incredible 12-2 record in 2025. They not only won the Big 12 title, but they also earned a bye in the College Football Playoff before falling to Oregon in the quarterfinals. That’s a high bar, man. Hammond’s challenge isn’t just to win games, it’s to try and take this team back to the CFP, something Red Raider fans are absolutely hungry for.
Prime Time Starts, High Expectations
The season kicks off in September, and it looks like Texas Tech is ready to make a statement right away. Hammond’s first game as the starter is set for September 5, at home against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. That game is slated for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on FS1, so you know everyone will be watching. Then they hit the road on September 12 to face the Oregon State Beavers, which won’t be an easy trip. Finally, they come home on September 18 for their Big 12 opener against the Houston Cougars. Get this: all three of those first games are in prime time. Talk about throwing Hammond into the fire!
This is a huge moment for Texas Tech football and for Hammond personally. The Red Raiders had a taste of the CFP last year, and now it’s up to him to build on that success. Can he handle the pressure? Can he live up to the legacy Morton started last season? The season opener against Abilene Christian on September 5 isn’t just a game; it’s the first chapter of the Will Hammond era, and every play will set the tone for what Texas Tech hopes will be another incredible run for the College Football Playoff.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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