The Texas Tech Red Raiders find themselves in a pickle when it comes to the most important position on the gridiron, the quarterback position. The timing could not have been any worse for head coach Joey McGuire. 

Brendan Sorsby is under investigation by the NCAA for reasons not related to the football field, while back-up quarterback Will Hammond is currently rehabbing from an ACL injury. The Red Raiders can't look at the portal to bring in a QB as well.

Currently, there is no spring portal, and with the new ghost transfer portal rules, if they added a quarterback, “A suspension of the head coach for 50% of the season and a fine equivalent to 20% of the program’s budget,” as per Pete Nakos of On3. 

At the moment, there is no timeline for his return, and the Austin, Texas native, Hammond, has just returned to throwing the football. There is optimism that he should return for the season opener against the Abilene Christian Wildcats; however, it’s unclear if he will be “100% healthy” by Sept. 5, a source told On3.

“Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will take an 'immediate indefinite leave of absence' from the football program as he enters a residential treatment program for a g*******addiction, the school announced Monday,” as per Justin Williams and Chris Vannini of The Athletic. 

However, during this difficult time for the program and the quarterback, head coach Joey McGuire is behind Sorsby, “We love Brendan and support his decision to seek professional help,” coach Joey McGuire said. “Taking this step requires courage, and our primary focus is on him as a person. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.”

What Does the QB Room Look Like Without Sorsby and Hammond?

In the absence of Sorsby and Hammond, the quarterback room is relatively inexperienced and young, except for Kirk Francis. 

Lloyd Jones, Kirk Francis, and Holden Philips make up the rest of the QB room. Francis, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane transfer who has played three seasons in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will more than likely lead the offense. 

With 270 completions, 3,045 career passing yards, and 18 touchdowns, Francis will be Joey McGuire's field general if the Red Raiders do not get either Hammond or Sorsby back.

For the Red Raiders, the portal is not an option unless they can request the NCAA under special circumstances; if not, the fine would not justify the cause, as they still have the Tulsa transfer, Kirk Francis.

What do you think the Red Raiders should do?

Follow Michigan Football Community for more.

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi