{
  "id": 229649,
  "title": "Texas Tech’s next move at QB could define its season after Brendan Sorsby fiasco",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/texas-techs-next-move-at-qb-could-define-its-season-after-brendan",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-06T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SB Nation",
    "slug": "sb-nation",
    "url": "https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/1122176/texas-tech-qb-starter-after-brendan-sorsbys-ineligibility"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Texas Tech could face a significant change at quarterback for the upcoming 2026 season, following the decision not to hold a Supplemental Draft and Brendan Sorsby's withdrawal from his pending lawsuit. The quarterback's eligibility was in question due to violations of NCAA policies against gambling. The Red Raiders had previously signed Sorsby to a significant NIL deal worth around $5 million, one of the largest transfer portal deals on record. Sorsby was expected to lead the team to a deeper run in the College Football Playoff following their Big 12 title game victory the year before.\n\nTexas Tech head coach Joey McGuire has several options to consider for the starting quarterback position, including Tulsa transfer Kirk Francis, redshirt freshman Lloyd Jones III, and returning starter Will Hammond. Francis appeared in 18 games at Tulsa over the past three seasons, throwing for 18 touchdowns, while Jones is a redshirt freshman recovering from a knee injury. Hammond, a redshirt sophomore, led the team in scoring when he came off the bench last September against Utah, throwing for two touchdowns in four different drives.\n\nReturning to Big 12 Media Days, McGuire praised Hammond's leadership, work ethic, and personality, describing him as one of the team's top assets. The Red Raiders have a strong supporting cast, with returning talent on the running back and offensive line units, as well as other promising pass catchers. Despite the attention on Sorsby, McGuire remains confident in the team's overall strength and the potential for success in the 2026 season.",
  "summary": "Brendan Sorsby will not be the starting quarterback for Texas Tech in 2026. The fight over Sorsby’s eligibility ended earlier this summer, when the quarterback withdrew a pending lawsuit and the NFL decided not to hold a Supplemental Draft, pointing to his admitted violations of the NCAA’s policies against gambling. For now, that means Sorsby […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Texas Tech may change QB for 2026 season after Sorsby withdrawal.",
    "Options include Kirk Francis, Lloyd Jones III, and Will Hammond.",
    "Hammond praised for leadership and work ethic."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Coach Joey McGuire's choice of quarterback will likely determine the team's fortunes, with Will Hammond, Kirk Francis, and Lloyd Jones III in contention to lead a talented supporting cast.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}