LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond is excited to get to practice Wednesday, leading the Red Raiders offense.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hammond said at the team\u2019s local media day Tuesday the offseason gave him time to recuperate and get ready to lead the team.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Texas Tech football brings depth to 2026 season<\/a><\/p>\n Head Coach Joey McGuire said Tuesday he has visited with him a lot about being the starting quarterback, reminding Hammond to be himself. <\/p>\n \u201cHe and I, during camp, eat a couple times together and just remind him, man, he\u2019s got to be Will Hammond. He is extremely unique. That\u2019s why people are so drawn to him,\u201d McGuire said. <\/p>\n \u201cHe is a different cat with his personality and just his thought process. And so that\u2019s what\u2019s going to make him successful.\u201d<\/p>\n McGuire said Hammond has all the athletic traits needed to succeed. <\/p>\n \u201cBut, you know, what\u2019s going to make him successful is him just being him and not trying to be somebody else,\u201d McGuire said.<\/p>\n Hammond said the injury gave him time through the offseason to study last year\u2019s game and also practice film, from when he was getting reps with starters.<\/p>\n Hammond played late in blowout victories during last season\u2019s non-conference schedule. <\/p>\n 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<\/a> 34-10. Hammond later came in for Morton vs. Kansas<\/a> and started at Arizona State<\/a>. Hammond injured his knee vs. Oklahoma State<\/a> Oct. 25.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019re in the details of the offense and doing everything the way that he wants to see it done.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s been really beneficial to see all that detail put to work in the summer. And I\u2019m excited to let it rip in fall camp.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Tech will host Houston to open conference play on Friday night, Sept. 18. That game will be on FOX34.<\/p>\n RELATED: Texas Tech RB Cameron Dickey on Maxwell Award watch list<\/a><\/p>\n Coaches Poll<\/p>\n