LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond is excited to get to practice Wednesday, leading the Red Raiders offense.
Hammond played in eight games last season, completing 69/109 passes, for 680 yards. Hammond threw seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran 43 times for 299 yards and five touchdowns.
Hammond said at the team’s local media day Tuesday the offseason gave him time to recuperate and get ready to lead the team.
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Head Coach Joey McGuire said Tuesday he has visited with him a lot about being the starting quarterback, reminding Hammond to be himself.
“He and I, during camp, eat a couple times together and just remind him, man, he’s got to be Will Hammond. He is extremely unique. That’s why people are so drawn to him,” McGuire said.
“He is a different cat with his personality and just his thought process. And so that’s what’s going to make him successful.”
McGuire said Hammond has all the athletic traits needed to succeed.
“But, you know, what’s going to make him successful is him just being him and not trying to be somebody else,” McGuire said.
Hammond said the injury gave him time through the offseason to study last year’s game and also practice film, from when he was getting reps with starters.
Hammond played late in blowout victories during last season’s non-conference schedule.
He took over for Behren Morton at Utah last year. Tech was up 10-3 in that game when Hammond took over. The Red Raiders defeated the No. 16 Utes 34-10. Hammond later came in for Morton vs. Kansas and started at Arizona State. Hammond injured his knee vs. Oklahoma State Oct. 25.
“It’s been a good time just getting that time with [offensive coordinator and QB coach Mack] Leftwich to be able to kind of dial in and make sure we’re in the details of the offense and doing everything the way that he wants to see it done.
“I think it’s been really beneficial to see all that detail put to work in the summer. And I’m excited to let it rip in fall camp.”
Tech is ranked 12th in the U.S. LBM coaches poll released Tuesday, the highest preseason ranking for the Red Raiders in school history. Big 12 opponents making the list include No. 15 BYU, No. 21 Utah and No. 24.
Tech will host Houston to open conference play on Friday night, Sept. 18. That game will be on FOX34.
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Coaches Poll
Here is the preseason coaches poll released Tuesday:
No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Texas, No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 6 Indiana, No. 7 Miami (FL), No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Oklahoma, No. 10 Ole Miss
No. 11 Alabama, No. 12 Texas Tech, No. 13 LSU, No. 14 USC, No. 15 BYU, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Penn State, No. 18 Tennessee, No. 19 Washington, No. 20 SMU, No. 21 Utah, No. 22 Iowa, No. 23 Clemson, No. 24 Houston, No. 25
Texas Tech finished last season ranked seventh in the AP and coaches polls. Last year the Red Raiders were No. 24 in the coaches preseason poll.
Tech Athletics reports the team was No. 14 in the 2008 preseason coaches poll. The Red Raiders’ highest preseason ranking in school history was in 1977, when the team was eighth on the preseason AP Poll.
Tech’s season kicks off Sept. 5 at the newly renamed Galaxy Stadium, hosting Abilene Christian.
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