Will Hammond has been right in the middle of Texas Tech’s preseason camp, and so far he’s looking every bit like a quarterback who has shaken off a long road back.
That’s the encouraging part for the Red Raiders, given the obvious questions that came with Hammond returning from an ACL tear, surgery and a nine-month rehab. Through camp, though, he has been a full participant and active, showing the kind of movement and confidence that made him look like himself before the injury. The one obvious difference is the bulky brace on his right knee.
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said after a camp practice last week that Hammond has already enjoyed being back in the mix.
"He came up to me yesterday and he said, 'man, it was fun to be back in the crowd'; being able to step up in the pocket and stuff like that," said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire after a camp practice last week. "The ball is really jumping out of his hand.
He's doing a really good job. I think the thing we take a little bit for granted, because he's been around these guys, is that you've got guys that have never played with him because he didn't go through spring."
That last part matters. Even with Hammond familiar to the program, Texas Tech still has players getting live reps with him for the first time because he missed spring ball. For now, though, the early signs are exactly what the Red Raiders wanted to see: a quarterback moving well, throwing with zip and settling back into the offense.
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Darrion Williams is also back in the mix after a season away, giving Texas Tech another familiar piece as the program tries to build a lineup that can grow together fast. A recent court ruling that handed certain athletes an extra year of eligibility has played a major role in how this roster has come together, opening the door for both returns and new arrivals as the Red Raiders reshape themselves for what comes next. [Read more 🡒]