Texas Tech Still Has a Top-10 Offense. Just Not the One You Think.

Losing your starting quarterback to a gambling suspension a few months before the season is not ideal. Losing him the way Texas Tech did — after a court fight, a rehab stint and mutual agreement to part ways — makes it a whole different animal. And yet, somehow, the Red Raiders still enter 2026 with one of the most respected offenses in the country, according to at least one national analyst.

On3 Sports’ J.D. Pickell ranked Texas Tech as the No. 10 offense in college football this preseason. That might raise an eyebrow given that Brendan Sorsby is gone. The former Cincinnati transfer was supposed to be the centerpiece. A big, athletic quarterback who thrived in the Bearcats’ system and looked like an even better fit with the weapons in Lubbock. Then the NCAA investigation into his gambling habit surfaced, he got a temporary restraining order to play, and eventually both sides decided it wasn’t worth the circus. Sorsby was aiming for the NFL Supplemental Draft, but the league opted out of holding one this year. So he’s now prepping for the 2027 draft without a college team to play for this fall.

Hammond’s Turn

That leaves Will Hammond as the guy. He’s been around — spot duty at quarterback each of the last two seasons — and he’s shown enough to make the staff comfortable. The obvious concern is health. Hammond tore his ACL last season and is only now getting back to full speed. But the team expects him ready for fall camp and in the lineup Week 1. If he’s close to what he was before the injury, the drop-off from Sorsby might not be as steep as people assume.

Because this offense isn’t built on one quarterback. Texas Tech brings back arguably the best running back duo in college football with Cameron Dickey and J’Kobi Williams. Both ran through, around and past defenses last season. Terrance Carter Jr. is a preseason Mackey Award candidate at tight end. And the wide receiver room has real depth — Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson give Hammond two legit outside threats. There’s a lot to work with here.

That’s why Pickell’s ranking makes sense, even if the name under center changed. College football analysts have a weird habit of overcorrecting when a star QB leaves, pretending the whole program falls apart. Texas Tech is a counter-example. The roster around the quarterback is legitimately excellent. If Hammond stays upright, this offense can still be dangerous.

But it’s also fair to wonder how much of the ranking is faith in the system versus hope that a guy coming off a torn ACL shakes off the rust quickly. We’ll find out quick in September.