Hammond Returns, Castellanos Joins: Texas Tech QB Room Transformed
Source: KCBD Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the 2026 season with a quarterback room that looks dramatically different than it did just a few weeks ago. After an offseason filled with questions about the position, the team now has a clear starter and a seasoned backup ready to provide depth.
Third-year quarterback Will Hammond will take the field Saturday for the first time since suffering a torn ACL last October in a game against Oklahoma State. The recovery spanned 315 days, and Hammond said he finally feels 100 percent ready to lead the offense.
“It feels great! It feels great to be 100 percent. It feels great to be back out there with the guys and not worried about any of the offseason things and just being able to go out there and play. We’re excited!” Hammond said. “This is a dream of mine, and I was thinking back last night to year one, week one, year two, week one, and just kind of the excitement leading up to each of those games and the excitement that we have this week leading up to this game, and it’s just a special opportunity to be the starting quarterback for Texas Tech University.”
The Red Raiders held their second and final closed scrimmage last Saturday, and offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich said Hammond’s performance in fall camp erased any doubts about his readiness.
“I think he’s ready to go, I think that was pretty clear through fall camp,” Leftwich said. “We saw him get more comfortable in the offense, we saw him get more comfortable moving around in the pocket, and I don’t think there’s any doubt in anybody’s mind that he’s ready to go out there week one and play at a high level.”
But the biggest buzz surrounding the Red Raiders this week has been the arrival of Thomas Castellanos. Head coach Joey McGuire announced the addition of the veteran signal-caller, who has played at UCF, Boston College, and Florida State. McGuire believes Castellanos' experience across multiple systems makes him a quick learner.
“One thing with Tommy, he’s played a lot of football. He’s been in three different systems so he can pick up stuff really fast, he’s a football guy. He’s got a great personality, and so he spent a lot of time with Lindsey Scott (asst. QB coach) and Garrett McGuire (RB’s coach) and of course Mack of trying to get used to this offense and what we’re all about,” McGuire said.
In four college seasons, Castellanos has thrown for 6,449 yards and 48 touchdowns while rushing for 1,984 yards. His 2023 campaign at Boston College was particularly impressive: he ran for 1,113 yards and 13 touchdowns, and led the Eagles to a 23-14 win over SMU in the Fenway Bowl, earning MVP honors.
Hammond welcomed his new teammate, noting the energy Castellanos brings to the room.
“We were just up in the walkthrough room actually, and he was getting prepped on some of the plays for practice today, and he’s a really cool guy. He’s a fiery guy, got a lot of energy, and we’re excited to have him in the room and bring him in and so we’re doing everything we can to get him up to speed and just bring him in as family,” Hammond said.
Castellanos joins a depth chart that also includes Lloyd Jones III and Kirk Francis, giving the Red Raiders four scholarship quarterbacks – a luxury they lacked earlier in the offseason.
McGuire indicated that while Castellanos may not see action in Saturday’s opener against Abilene Christian, he could be ready by the Sept. 12 matchup against Oregon State.
“I would think by the time we get to Oregon State, he’ll have full grasp of the offense. The guy’s played a lot of football. He’s extremely dynamic with the ball in his hand, and you don’t see a lot of quarterbacks that rush for 1,100 yards, and so the guy’s really dynamic with the ball in his hand, so we’ll have packages for him at different times to get him in the game and get him going,” McGuire said.
Leftwich echoed that confidence, praising Castellanos’ work ethic after just a few days in the program.
“He’s doing a great job. I haven’t been around him long, but just the little time that I’ve been around him so far, man, that kid works! He was up here till 9:30, past a lot of the coaches last night trying to watch extra film and just learn as much as he can as fast as he can. It’ll be a work in progress, these first couple weeks, but I can say he’s definitely up for the challenge and willing to work at it,” Leftwich said.
Texas Tech kicks off the season Saturday at 6 p.m. at Galaxy Stadium. The Red Raiders enter as 42.5-point favorites against Abilene Christian.
Article commentary
The Texas Tech Red Raiders have navigated one of the most tumultuous quarterback situations in the Big 12 over the past year, but the picture now looks remarkably stable. Will Hammond’s return from a torn ACL marks a significant milestone not just for the player but for the entire program. His recovery timeline – 315 days – speaks to the seriousness of the injury and the careful rehabilitation process. More importantly, Hammond’s confidence and the coaching staff’s public endorsement suggest he has regained his full mobility and command of the offense. The fact that he was named the starter without a prolonged competition indicates that the team believes in his upside. However, the addition of Thomas Castellanos adds a layer of intrigue that could reshape the offense’s identity. Castellanos is not just a veteran backup; he is a proven dual-threat quarterback who has produced at the Power Five level. His 1,100-yard rushing season at Boston College demonstrates a rare mobility that Texas Tech’s offense has not consistently featured in recent years. While Hammond is more of a traditional pocket passer, Castellanos’ skill set could allow offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich to design specialized packages – read-option plays, zone reads, and designed quarterback runs – that keep defenses off balance. From a depth perspective, the Red Raiders are now in an enviable position. Last season, the team was one injury away from a major crisis. Now, with Hammond, Castellanos, Lloyd Jones III, and Kirk Francis, Texas Tech has four scholarship quarterbacks. That depth is critical in a grind of a Big 12 schedule where injuries are inevitable. The coaching staff’s willingness to bring in Castellanos so late in the offseason also signals a win-now mentality. Head coach Joey McGuire is clearly not content to wait for young players to develop; he wants experienced options who can contribute immediately. The decision to hold Castellanos out of the opener against Abilene Christian makes sense from a game-planning perspective. The Red Raiders are heavy favorites, and the game serves as a tune-up. Giving Castellanos a few extra weeks to absorb the playbook before facing Oregon State – a more competitive opponent – allows him to be more effective when he does take the field. McGuire’s mention of “packages” for Castellanos suggests that the team will not hesitate to use both quarterbacks in certain situations, adding a layer of unpredictability to the offense. One potential concern is how the two quarterbacks will coexist in the locker room. Hammond has been the face of the program through his injury rehabilitation, and his leadership is unquestioned. Castellanos, by nature, is a fiery competitor who has been a starter elsewhere. Managing egos and ensuring a healthy competition will be key. Early signs are positive – Hammond publicly welcomed Castellanos and praised his energy – but the true test will come when game situations force a decision on playing time. Looking ahead, Texas Tech’s schedule offers a forgiving start. Abilene Christian and Oregon State provide a ramp-up before conference play. If Hammond performs well, the team could build early momentum. But if he struggles or gets injured, Castellanos offers a safety net that few teams in the country possess. The Red Raiders have transformed a position of weakness into one of strength. The question now is whether that strength translates into wins on the field.