Texas Tech is set to open the season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Abilene Christian at Galaxy Stadium in Lubbock, and the official two-deep is expected Monday morning. Ahead of that release, here’s a projection of how the Red Raiders’ offense could line up.
At quarterback, Will Hammond looks like the name to watch first, with Kirk Francis behind him. Hammond has been a full-go since camp opened and has looked good, though he still hasn’t taken a hit yet, which makes the first full-contact test worth watching. Francis appears to be the backup for now while new addition Tommy Castellanos gets up to speed on the playbook.
The running back room brings plenty of options, especially with the return of Dickey and Williams, who can line up all over the formation. Joyner’s return should also give that group a major lift.
Out wide at X, Bryson Jones has already grabbed a starting spot. He may not be the flashiest addition Texas Tech made this offseason, but he could wind up being one of the most important.
Behind him, there’s a three-man battle involving Donte Lee, Malcolm Simmons, and Hudson, with Hudson appearing to have the inside track. Lee turned in a strong spring game, Simmons is the highest-rated transfer receiver Tech added, and all three should see plenty of action.
Inside, Eakin is back as the starter, but Jones had an excellent spring and Campbell is an elite athlete who looks ready to get on the field early.
Tight end is another strong area for the Red Raiders. Terrance Carter projects as the starter, with Jett Carpenter or Moose Ludwig next in line.
Carter is an elite receiving threat, and Carpenter is the kind of player who will likely be playing on Sunday as well. Ludwig should get snaps too, and his future is bright.
Up front, Howard Sampson is set at left tackle, with Felix Ojo behind him. Sampson is viewed as one of the top left tackles in college football and could hear his name called early in the 2027 draft if he keeps progressing.
Ojo arrived as a five-star blue chip recruit and immediately looked the part in spring ball. The plan is for him to take over that spot for years, but he’s ready to contribute now, and getting him seasoning off the bench this season makes sense.
Left guard looks like one of the closest battles on the line. Zambrano was expected to be a major piece last year as a four-star transfer, but injuries knocked him off track.
Now healthy, he’s been very good at the spot. Upshaw, meanwhile, is a classic under-recruited grinder who keeps improving and has made a late push to start.
Zambrano is the pick here, but Upshaw will get a real look.
At center, Sheridan Wilson is the projected starter, with Cash Cleveland or Patrick McMath behind him. Wilson is one of the older players on the roster and a captain, and defenses have already shown him just about everything they can.
Cleveland is a valuable depth option who can handle all three interior spots and brings plenty of experience, though he was banged up some in camp. McMath has also made a strong push this summer and can play all three interior spots as well.
Jordan Church and Elias Gillen are the names to watch at the other guard spot. James Blanchard called Church one of the best run blockers in all of college football, and that kind of presence fits a team trying to get more physical, especially in the red zone. Gillen, listed at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, is another massive body trying to force his way into the mix in his second season.
At right tackle, Jacob Ponton returns as the other starting bookend, with Daniel Sill behind him. Ponton may not be at his ceiling yet, but he’s a strong run blocker and especially appealing in pass protection thanks to his length and footwork. Sill can move around the line, but he’s made a real jump this offseason and looks like the swing tackle, with most of his work coming on the right side.
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Texas Tech Barely Got To See What Skyler Gill-Howard Could Become
Skyler Gill-Howards Texas Tech career was over almost as soon as it began, with a leg injury cutting short what the Red Raiders barely got to see from the rookie defensive tackle. He managed only six games in Lubbock, but even in that small sample he flashed the kind of athleticism and playmaking ability that made him worth remembering once he moved on.
Now with the Detroit Lions, Gill-Howard has started to turn that old promise into something more concrete in preseason action. As a sixth-round pick in 2026, he has already stacked up tackles and a sack, enough to draw notice from analysts and fans who are starting to see why his brief Texas Tech stint left such an impression. [Read more 🡒]