Texas Tech · Big 12Texas Tech names Zambrano, readies Hammond for opener
The No. 12 Red Raiders will use two tight ends and rotate a deep receiver room against Abilene Christian on Sept. 5.
SEP 3, 2026
The Pate State · Editorial IllustrationTexas Tech’s preseason ranking
Personnel grouping expected to feature frequently
Receivers the staff feels good about playing at a high level
01 · The NewsTexas Tech Sets Its Opener Plan
For its Saturday, Sept. 5 opener against Abilene Christian, No. 12 Texas Tech will hand Hunter Zambrano the left-guard job, have Will Hammond ready to play and lean more heavily on two-tight-end sets and a rotating receiver group.
Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich said Monday that Hammond is ready to play, though he did not formally name him the starter. “I think he’s ready to go. I think that was pretty clear through fall camp. I think you saw him get more comfortable in the offense. You saw him get more comfortable moving around in the pocket,” Leftwich said.
Leftwich said Texas Tech spent the offseason building the scheme around its players’ strengths and tightening communication among the play caller, quarterback and receivers. The goal: run similar concepts from different personnel groups without slowing the offense down.
The Red Raiders expect to use 12 personnel frequently, with Jett Carpenter joining the tight-end plan and Moose Ludwig developing into a third option. They also have eight or nine receivers Leftwich said the staff feels good about playing at a high level, and the group should rotate more than it did last season. Which combinations appear will depend on the week.
Joyner will have designated personnel packages, but Leftwich has not set a snap target for his return.
“But man, I’m just excited to see that kid back in live action. It’ll be the first time that we’ve gotten to see him play in a game since he’s been here, so I’m excited to see him go and somebody try to tackle him again. I know that’s pretty hard to do usually,” Leftwich said.
02 · The StakesWhy It Matters
The opener will show how Hammond handles game action and how Quinten Joyner returns from injury. It also starts Texas Tech’s left-guard alignment and its broader personnel plan before a Sept. 12 trip to Oregon State and the Sept. 18 Big 12 opener against Houston. Zambrano’s first start at left guard will face an Abilene Christian front that changes alignments and uses defensive-line twists.
“I think he’s ready to go. I think that was pretty clear through fall camp. I think you saw him get more comfortable in the offense. You saw him get more comfortable moving around in the pocket.”
Mack Leftwich03 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Hammond’s readiness
Does Will Hammond look comfortable handling game action and moving around in the pocket?
Joyner’s return
How often does Quinten Joyner appear in his designated personnel packages as he returns from injury?