Local News
Red Raiders head coach announces Castellanos joining team as backup quarterback
Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire announced Saturday that quarterback Tommy Castellanos will join the Red Raiders program as a competitor for the backup quarterback spot behind starter Will Hammond, with the season opener now one week out. The timing is tight.
The timing is tight. Castellanos steps into a depth chart that already has Hammond locked in at the top, so this is a battle for the second spot heading into the 2026 campaign. McGuire made the announcement with just days left before the team's first game, which means Castellanos will have a short runway to get up to speed with the offense.
For fans who pack Jones AT&T Stadium every fall Saturday, this adds a layer of intrigue to an already charged week. Knowing who sits behind your starter matters. Injuries happen, and a backup quarterback can define a season just as fast as the starter can. Castellanos getting that spot would give Tech a known option if Hammond goes down, rather than a scramble mid-game.
Red Raiders football has been building under McGuire, and roster decisions this close to kickoff tend to signal how a coaching staff sees the depth shaking out after fall camp. Almost no time remains for Castellanos to settle in before it counts.
Common questions
Who is Tommy Castellanos and why is he joining Texas Tech?
- Tommy Castellanos is joining the Texas Tech Red Raiders to compete for the backup quarterback spot behind starter Will Hammond. Coach Joey McGuire made the announcement with just one week left before the season opener, giving Castellanos very little time to learn the offense.
Who is the starting quarterback for Texas Tech in 2026?
- Will Hammond is locked in as the starting quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders heading into the 2026 season. Castellanos is not competing for the starting job but rather for the second spot on the depth chart behind Hammond.
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