Red Raiders To Have Versatile WR Rotation for Will Hammond
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LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech wide receivers coach Justin Johnson, who affectionately goes by "Coach Juice" has his group moving with, well, plenty of juice as Week 1 approaches.
Quarterback Will Hammond is entering his first full season as the starter, and after having already won over the locker room with his resilience in battling back from a torn ACL, the team has plenty of reasons to be confident.
Hammond will not be short on weapons to throw to. Former 5-star prospect Micah Hudson and veteran captain Coy Eakin both return to assume starting roles. Key transfers Kenny Johnson, Donte Lee Jr., Malcolm Simmons and Jalen Jones bring experience through the transfer portal.
Coach Juice might have the deepest rotation he's had in Lubbock as he enters his fourth season with head coach Joey McGuire.
"Going into the season, there's guys that have showed on a consistent basis that they're ready for snaps," Johnson said this week. "Our plan is to rotate with a little more depth [than Tech has in the past]. You can see six to seven guys in the rotation out there."
READ MORE:Texas Tech's Will Hammond, Micah Hudson 'Finally' Ready for Breakout Season Together
Hammond has continuity with Hudson and Eakin, but Johnson is happy to see the chemistry being built with the newcomers. It's a process that Hammond has been intentional about, but is made easier by how Tech targets character through the portal.
"It's been good," the coach said. "I think the thing we've done with our transfers here – we've hit on the guys. Not only from a football perspective, but culturally. I think we've done a good job of figuring out and identifying guys that are going to fit into our culture … and when you come in, you work hard, and you're humble, and you approach the day how they approach it, then you got a shot."
Kenny Johnson comes to Texas Tech after three seasons at Pitt, where he posted 1,354 receiving yards and nine touchdowns (over half of that production coming last season). Coach Juice says Johnson "brings it" the most regarding energy and leadership at fall camp.
Lee also had his best collegiate season a year ago when he hauled in 589 yards and five touchdowns for Liberty as a sophomore.
READ MORE:Texas Tech Lands 4 Players on Preseason All-America Teams
Simmons was a consistent threat for two seasons against SEC competition at Auburn. The incoming junior recorded at least 450 yards in each of his first two college seasons.
Jones, Tech's "Swiss-army knife" in the offense, was named a second-team All-American by multiple outlets as one of the top FCS pass-catchers. He compiled 1,167 receiving yards and nine touchdowns for Alabama State in 2025.
Coach Juice says each player has a level of versatility that will be beneficial to Tech rolling out several schematic looks at the line of scrimmage.
"All the guys are trained to [line up in the slot or the outside,]" Johnson said. "The job is to get the best group on the field. So, we teach it conceptually … we want you to know everything so that guys can be inside [and] guys can be outside.
"The goal is to continue to switch them and everybody be able to play every spot."
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