QB Will Hammond ready to represent Texas Tech's 'incredible' class at Elite 11 Finals

Quarterback Will Hammond personifies what Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders are all about.

Hammond, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 26-rated passer in the nation out of Hutto (Texas) High School, has been committed to Texas Tech dating back to November. He was one of a handful of top passers from around the country invited to compete in the Elite 11 Finals this week in Los Angeles.

Like many other quarterbacks in this cycle, Hammond grew up watching some of the nation’s best advance through the Finals onto the biggest stages on Saturday and then Sunday. Now, he’s set to represent Central Texas as well as the Lubbock faithful on the West Coast on one of the biggest stages this summer.

“Growing up, I can remember being on YouTube and coming across the videos and seeing these young quarterbacks like Tua (Tagovailoa) and Trevor (Lawrence) were in it, and seeing it year after year it was definitely something I would love to be a part of one day,” Hammond told On3.

“To compete in it now that it’s here is a dream come true.”

Hammond competed in the Austin regional this spring and has enjoyed a strong offseason in which he’s been focused on his deep ball as well as his ability to move in and around the pocket. He expects to display both out in Los Angeles this week.

“We’ve been working hard,” he said. “This wasn’t something in the back of my mind specifically; it was more external, but I was ready to compete at the regional. This offseason, a big thing for me as been throwing the deep ball. We have a lot of speedy receivers on my team (at Hutto) and I’m making sure I can take a big three- to five-step drop and rip it into them in stride.”

“I’ve also tried to keep my athleticism up,” Hammond continued. “I’m listed as a pro-style QB, but I can run and I’ve been developing that because getting out of the pocket is an X-factor you can have as a quarterback.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound signal-caller is coming off an official visit to Lubbock for the Red Raiders’ biggest recruiting weekend of the summer.

Hammond has been committed to Tech since last fall — a credit to McGuire’s emphasis on character and the staff’s emphasis on early evaluations.

“First off, the class we’re building is incredible,” Hammond said of the Red Raiders’ No. 20-ranked class in 2024. “It’s gonna be some type of record in terms of rating. It’s not about the rating, though; it’s about the type of people we’re bringing in. You can see on film what these commits can do and what our class will be.”

“Coach McGuire is so personable and so genuine … you can hang out with the guy all day. He’s the biggest reason why all these recruits are coming to Texas Tech. I text the guys and keep good relationships with them, and I’m a friend, but I’m not doing anything specific. Coach McGuire is closing all these deals and locking these guys in.”

If McGuire is the closer, then he’s also set up with a very strong starting rotation and a deep bullpen that’s also playing a hand. That includes OC Zach Kittley, who has knocked it out of the park with his future QB for months at this point and again over the weekend.

“Probably the biggest thing is relationships,” Hammond started. “It’s a testament to how great the staff that Joey McGuire has brought in, especially the recruiting department. We’re definitely good at finding guys early on and it’s why we’re so successful in recruiting. In and out, the program has incredible coaches and they attract really good people.”

“It was great talking to Coach Kittley and the other coaches,” he added. “I really love it up there.”