Will Hammond is walking into Texas Tech’s fall camp with a clear job ahead of him and a simple message from Joey McGuire: be himself.
The Red Raiders quarterback said Tuesday at the team’s local media day that the offseason gave him time to recover and reset before stepping into the role of leading the offense. Hammond played in eight games last season, finishing 69 of 109 passes for 680 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added 43 rushing attempts for 299 yards and five scores.
McGuire said he has spent plenty of time with Hammond talking through the starting quarterback role, but not in a way that asks him to change who he is.
“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 also said Hammond has the athletic tools to thrive, but the key is staying true to himself.
“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 that slowed him down last season also created a chance to study the offense more closely. He spent the offseason reviewing last year’s game film and practice film from the periods when he was working with the starters.
“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.”
Hammond’s snaps last season came in a variety of spots, including late in blowout wins during the non-conference portion of the schedule. He also took over for Behren Morton at Utah last year, when Tech was ahead 10-3.
The Red Raiders went on to beat the No. 16 Utes 34-10.
Hammond later entered against Kansas, started at Arizona State, and then injured his knee against Oklahoma State on Oct. 25.
Texas Tech’s expectations are climbing along with Hammond’s role. The Red Raiders are No. 12 in the preseason U.S.
LBM coaches poll, the highest preseason ranking in school history. Other Big 12 teams in the poll include No.
15 BYU, No. 21 Utah and No.
24 Houston.
Tech opens conference play at home against Houston on Friday night, Sept. 18, and that game will air on FOX34.
The Red Raiders begin the season Sept. 5 at the newly renamed Galaxy Stadium against Abilene Christian.
Texas Tech finished last season ranked seventh in both the AP and coaches polls. A year ago, the Red Raiders were No. 24 in the coaches preseason poll. Tech Athletics also noted the team was No. 14 in the 2008 preseason coaches poll, while the highest preseason ranking in school history before this year came in 1977, when Tech was eighth in the preseason AP Poll.
The full preseason coaches poll was released Tuesday, with Ohio State at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame, Indiana, Miami (FL), Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Alabama sits at No. 11, just ahead of Texas Tech.
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