Texas Tech football launched life after Brendan Sorsby during the summer. The once prized College Football Transfer Portal quarterback addition left the program amid his high-profile NCAA gambling investigation. But now it appears head coach Joey McGuire and TTU are ready to deliver a massive post-Sorsby move.
This one impacting projected starting quarterback Will Hammond.
The reigning Big 12 champions rise as the latest NCAA institution linked to the new landmark eligibility ruling. A Louisiana judge granted TROs (Temporary Restraining Orders) for undrafted NFL players who wanted to enter the portal to find a new home. This move comes as the NCAA is now dealing with 2022 graduates gaining a fifth year of eligibility.
Now a high-profile quarterback has entered the picture in Lubbock.
Who is Linked to Texas Tech Amid NCAA Injunction
College football insider for On3 Pete Nakos reports undrafted Tennessee Titans rookie Tommy Castellanos is eyeing Texas Tech as a destination.
He’s the same Castellanos who led Florida State to the epic Week 1 upset of nationally ranked Alabama.
“He was expected to file a lawsuit in Texas before the suit was moved to Kentucky,” On3 reported.
‘No Surprise’ Tommy Castellanos Enters Texas Tech Picture
So now TTU falls into a new bind ahead of its Sept. 5 opener against Abilene Christian.
McGuire can roll the dice and lure in the ex-Seminole. But that can disrupt any momentum Hammond has in pursuing QB1 duties. But Red Raiders insider for On3 Daniel Hager became honest about the situation Castellanos and TTU faces.
“It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Texas Tech is one of the teams in on Castellanos. The Red Raiders had the outlook of their 2026 season turned upside down when star Cincinnati transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby became embroiled in his gambling scandal that defined the college football offseason. The saga ended with Sorsby and Texas Tech parting ways, promoting backup quarterback Will Hammond to starter,” Hager wrote.
Castellanos indeed adds experience into the room if brought over. And not just bottled to FSU, as he started out with Boston College. But still, his crowning moment in Tallahassee came at the start of last season, before the Crimson Tide emerged as a College Football Playoff team.
Looking at Texas Tech QB Room and if There’s Room
McGuire likely becomes hard-pressed to turn down Castellanos amid the depth in this room.
Hammond has shown flashes when called upon, hitting 62.7 percent of his throws. Castellanos adds a dual-threat presence, though, that hasn’t been seen before in Lubbock.
Past TTU signal-callers operate as pocket passers who can air it out more than 40 times a game. Patrick Mahomes represents the most revered TTU QB great who executed the Air Raid with mastery.
Yet McGuire and TTU pulled in a dual-threat in Sorsby before the NCAA came after him. The ex-Indiana and Cincinnati QB racked up 1,295 rushing yards and scored 22 touchdowns on keeper runs. His addition sparked renewed national championship chatter at TTU.
But again, the Red Raiders closed that truncated Sorsby chapter. So now Castellanos could surface as the running/throwing threat here.
Texas Tech Could Pull Major Post-Brendan Sorsby Move Before 2026 Season Opener