Texas Tech’s 2025 campaign will be remembered as a breakthrough year, finishing 12‑2, capturing the Big 12 title and earning the program’s first College Football Playoff berth.
The excitement was tempered when the Red Raiders turned to the transfer portal, landing quarterback Brendan Sorsby, only to have the NCAA rule him ineligible after discovering he had bet on games, including those of his former team at Indiana.
The Road Ahead for the Red Raiders
Sorsby’s legal battle ended with an injunction, but the episode left the team scrambling for a reliable signal‑caller, forcing them to look inward at their existing depth chart.
Enter Will Hammond, the backup who tore his ACL in late October; doctors project a 9‑12‑month recovery, meaning he could theoretically be ready for the season opener if his rehab proceeds on schedule.
Veteran analyst David Pollack has highlighted the urgency, noting that Hammond’s health will be the linchpin for Texas Tech’s ability to stay competitive in the Big 12 and keep their playoff dreams alive.
Even with a talented returning core, the Red Raiders’ championship aspirations now hinge on whether the quarterback can return to full strength in time to lead the offense through a grueling conference slate.