Joey McGuire offers encouraging update on Texas Tech QB Will Hammond

It's been an offseason full of uncertainty when it comes to the quarterback situation at Texas Tech, but fans got at least one piece of good news on Tuesday.

Coach Joey McGuire revealed that quarterback Will Hammond, who suffered a torn ACL late last season and was expected to be sidelined for the start of the season, has progressed faster than expected in his recovery. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, McGuire said that optimism is growing that Hammond could start the season opener against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5.

"I think he could be, I really do," McGuire said when asked if Hammond could be ready to go for Week 1.

Hammond was not expected to be the starter in 2026, but that changed when transfer addition Brendan Sorsby was deemed ineligible after he admitted to placing wagers on his own team. Though Sorsby was granted an injunction allowing him to play this fall, he opted to withdraw from Texas Tech amid controversy.

Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire tells ESPN that Will Hammond could well end up as the Week 1 starter, which is earlier than his stated timeline from spring as Hammond recovers from a torn ACL. "I think he could be, I really do," McGuire said when asked if Hammond ends up starting. pic.twitter.com/rKVQto4rN5

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 7, 2026

That left Hammond as the likely starter for the Red Raiders. Hammond appeared in eight games in 2025, starting two in place of an injured Behren Morton. Texas Tech went 1-1 in those games, with Hammond throwing for 680 yards and rushing for 299.

He completed 63.3% of his passes with seven touchdowns and three interceptions through the air while also rushing for five touchdowns.

If Hammond isn't ready to go, Texas Tech will likely start either redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III, who saw minimal action last season, or Kirk Francis, a transfer who started 12 games in three years at Tulsa.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Joey McGuire offers encouraging update on Texas Tech QB Will Hammond