Will Hammond isn’t just back; the dude is ahead of schedule, guiding No. 13 Texas Tech to a 2-0 start after blowing out his ACL last season. But Coach Joey McGuire is already pushing the sophomore QB for more, especially with a huge Big 12 opener against No. 22 Houston looming this Friday. This isn’t just another game; it’s Hammond’s long-awaited close-up, and McGuire wants him to show up.
From Blue-Chip Promise to Friday Night Lights
Let’s rewind a sec. Hammond was a tentpole blue-chip recruit, a record-breaking passer at Hutto High School, leading the whole state of Texas in passing as a senior. Offers came flying in, but he stayed true to Tech. Last season, he got a few starts as Behren Morton’s backup before that devastating torn ACL against Oklahoma State ended his year. The staff wasn’t planning on bringing in another starter, but the injury pushed them to go for transfer Brendan Sorsby. Then, amid the chaos of Sorsby’s whole gambling saga, Hammond just quietly kept grinding, staying ahead of schedule. McGuire initially told reporters Hammond would be ready for Week 3, but the kid fought back for Week 1. That’s some serious grit, right? He’s the future, they said when he first got there, and now “the future” is here.
McGuire’s Challenge: Let It Rip, Man!
So far, Hammond has been efficient in his two starts against Abilene Christian and Oregon State. He’s completed a stellar 76.7% of his passes for 487 yards, tossed two touchdowns, and only one interception. That lone pick? It was a crazy toe-tapping sideline play by a defensive back, not really a miscue by Hammond. But here’s the kicker: while he’s avoided mistakes, he hasn’t exactly been challenging defenses downfield. His average depth of target is just 7.1 yards, ranking 39th out of 44 quarterbacks with his 68 pass attempts. Nearly two-thirds of his throws are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
McGuire didn’t mince words after the last game, saying, “I think he’s got to trust. You got to turn the ball loose. It’s not always going to be perfect pictures. We had some shots downfield that we didn’t get thrown that were tight coverage, but they weren’t necessarily covered. We want to give our guys, our playmakers, some chances to make plays.” And he’s got playmakers, too! Coy Eakin was a top receiver last year, Pittsburgh transfer Kenny Johnson is an immediate hit, Terrance Carter Jr. is a preseason All-American tight end, and freshman Matt Ludwig has been a pleasant surprise. Plus, Auburn’s Malcolm Simmons and former five-star Micah Hudson have already had early moments. These guys need the ball, and Hammond needs to give it to them deep.
This Friday, the #13 Red Raiders host #22 Houston, and it’s perhaps the biggest game of their season. It’s time for Hammond to finally take one of those shots with the game on the line. The coach has laid down the gauntlet; now we’ll see if Hammond can trust himself and let it rip when it matters most.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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