Texas Tech officially pulled the trigger Friday, announcing via their official X account that Will Hammond is the starting quarterback for the 2026 college football season. This isn’t just any QB change; it’s a massive move for a program fresh off an incredible 12-2 run, a Big 12 title, and a College Football Playoff bye. All eyes are now laser-focused on Hammond to see if he can keep that momentum roaring in Lubbock.
The Numbers Game: Can Hammond Match Morton’s Magic?
Let’s be real about what Hammond’s bringing to the table. He’s been with the Red Raiders for two seasons, but “played sparingly” is an understatement. In 2024, his stat line read 471 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Then, in 2025, things looked a bit better: 680 yards through the air, seven touchdowns, and three picks. Now, compare that to the guy he’s stepping in for, Behren Morton. Morton, who absolutely lit it up last season, threw for a massive 2,780 yards, piled up 22 touchdowns, and only coughed up six interceptions, completing a rock-solid 66 percent of his passes. That’s a legendary performance! Hammond’s gotta step up in a huge way if he’s going to fill those shoes and keep the Red Raider offense humming like a well-oiled machine. It’s a tall order.
Chasing That CFP Dream All Over Again
Texas Tech had a downright dream run in 2025, didn’t they? A dominant 12-2 record, Big 12 champions, and they even snagged a coveted bye in the College Football Playoff. The dream finally came to a halt with a tough loss to the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals, but what an unforgettable season it was. Now, the torch passes to Hammond, and he’s got the unenviable task of trying to replicate that success and take this team back to the CFP. That’s some serious pressure for a young guy who’s had such limited action under center. Can he elevate his game, especially after a 2025 where the team was already firing on all cylinders with Morton leading the charge? The entire league is gonna be glued to their screens to see how he handles this kind of spotlight.
The new Hammond era officially kicks off in September, and it’s coming fast! The first game is September 5th, a home showdown against the Abilene Christian Wildcats. That’s a 7 p.m. ET kickoff on FS1, perfect for primetime. Then the Red Raiders hit the road, heading west to play the Oregon State Beavers on September 12th. To cap off the early season, they’ve got their Big 12 opener back home against the Houston Cougars on September 18th. Get ready, because all three of these initial games are locked in for primetime slots. It’s a make-or-break start to the entire season, and Hammond needs to show up and deliver from day one.
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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