Allison: Will Hammond just threw for 232 yards and ran in a touchdown, but behind him? A quarterback room that’s about to get incredibly loud. Is Will the clear starter, or is Stephen Cannon lurking in the shadows? And can this run game really carry them through Cincinnati this Saturday? That’s what we’re breaking down today.
Derek: It’s a lot of noise, Allison. We’re six-zero, first in the Big 12, but roster battles don’t stop because you’re winning. If you want to stay here, you have to earn every snap. Let’s get into it.
Allison: Welcome to the Texas Tech episode of the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Allison, and alongside me is Derek. We’ve got three things for you today: First, the immediate battle at Quarterback following that blowout win over Arizona State. Second, the depth chart questions on the offensive line where injuries are always lurking. And third, our roster-cut predictions—who’s trending up and who might be watching film from the stands next week. Derek, you said yesterday that Tech would beat ASU to solidify their lead. Did that happen?
Derek: It did. Fifty-three to twenty-five. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. J’Koby Williams rushed for 165 yards and two scores. Will Hammond was efficient, completing eighteen of twenty-six passes for 232 yards. But here’s the thing: when you dominate like that, coaches get comfortable. And comfort breeds competition. That’s why the QB battle is front and center right now.
Allison: Right. So let’s dive into Segment One. The most important position battle on this roster right now: Quarterback. Will Hammond looks good, but we know there are other arms in the room. Who wins the job if there’s a bye week or an injury?
Derek: Let’s look at the facts. Will Hammond had a great game against ASU. But Stephen Cannon is also on this roster. Then you have Thomas Castellanos, Kirk Francis, Lloyd Jones III, and Holden Phillips. That’s six quarterbacks. In a six-zero team, usually one guy is clearly ahead. But with the way college football is evolving, maybe not.
Allison: Six quarterbacks? That’s a lot of bodies. When you have that many, it’s not just about who throws the best pass. It’s about who understands the system. Who has the best chemistry with Kenny Johnson? Remember, Kenny caught seven passes for 120 yards last game. He knows what he likes.
Derek: Exactly. Kenny Johnson is a senior leader type. If he’s locking in with Will Hammond, that’s a huge signal. But let’s talk about Stephen Cannon. If he’s seen any snaps in practice, and he’s competing, then the door isn’t closed. But right now, Will Hammond has the momentum. He ran for a touchdown too. That versatility is key in the Big 12.
Allison: So, is Will the starter until someone beats him? Or does the coaching staff see something in Lloyd Jones III or Holden Phillips that we haven’t seen yet? Because those names pop up in recruiting discussions sometimes.
Derek: Lloyd Jones III and Holden Phillips are likely developmental guys. They’re there to learn. The real battle is between Will Hammond and Stephen Cannon. If Cannon practices well this week, he gets reps. But against Cincinnati? I’d bet on Hammond starting unless he’s hurt. You don’t mess with a 70% completion rate.
Allison: Fair point. But what if J’Koby Williams gets tired? What if the running game stalls? Then the QB has to make plays. And Will Hammond showed he can do that. Okay, before we move to the next segment, I need to take a quick breath with you guys. This show is completely free, with no ads and no paywall. We do this because we love the game, but keeping it daily takes work. If you enjoy these deep dives, please consider supporting us directly via the link in the episode description. It helps keep the lights on and the analysis sharp. Now, back to the Raiders.
Derek: Thanks for that. Let’s move to Segment Two. Two more battles. First: Offensive Line depth. We have Ren Brown, Connor Carty, Jordan Church, Cash Cleveland, Jacob Crow, Ellis Davis, Elias Gillen, Bryce Gilmore, Danilo Guberinich, Holton Hendrix, Jackson Hildebrand, Garin Maley, Jerald Mays, Patrick McMath, and Felix Ojo. That’s fifteen linemen. How do they sort that out?
Allison: Fifteen linemen! That’s a lot of bodies to manage. Usually, you start five, plus two backups. So ten guys are fighting for spots. Who are the locks? And who’s on the bubble? This is crucial because Cincinnati is going to bring pressure. We saw Julian Hugo get a sack against ASU. Tech needs to protect Will Hammond.
Derek: Absolutely. Protection is paramount. Looking at the roster, names like Ren Brown, Connor Carty, and Jordan Church sound like starters or high-level backups. But with so many names, it’s hard to say without seeing practice squad movements. However, if Ellis Davis or Jacob Crow are seniors, they might be the veterans holding it together. The battle here is about consistency. Who blocks the same way every snap?
Allison: Right. And second battle: Wide Receiver depth. Chase Campbell, Michael Dever, Coy Eakin, Tristian Gentry, Micah Hudson, Imari Jehiel, Kenny Johnson, Bryson Jones, Jalen Jones, Quintaelyn Joyner, Quinten Joyner, Donte Lee Jr. That’s twelve receivers. Kenny Johnson is the star, obviously. But who’s the number two? Who steps up if Kenny has an off day?
Derek: This is interesting. You have a lot of names. Donte Lee Jr. and Micah Hudson are often mentioned in early season hype. But Michael Dever and Coy Eakin could be the gritty route runners. The battle here is about reliability. Will Hammond needs guys he can trust in critical downs. Against Cincinnati, you can’t afford drops. So whoever runs the cleanest routes wins the spot.
Allison: So, is it Donte Lee Jr. taking the second string role? Or does Micah Hudson break out? It’s a crowded room. And remember, Quinten Joyner is listed as RB, but sometimes receivers flip back and forth. Wait, no, Quinten Joyner is RB. Okay, so the WR group is deep. But depth means nothing if you can’t execute. Do you think Cincinnati will exploit any mismatches here?
Derek: Cincinnati is physical. They’re going to try to jam the receivers at the line. If your number two guy doesn’t have strength, he’ll struggle. I suspect Donte Lee Jr. or Michael Dever will see more time. But honestly, with Kenny Johnson drawing double teams, anyone who can get open will succeed. It’s about leverage and release.
Allison: Got it. Leverage and release. Okay, Segment Three. Roster cuts. Predictions. Who’s trending up? Who’s trending down? And who might be watching film from the stands by November? This is the fun part.
Derek: Alright. Trending up: J’Koby Williams. Obviously. 165 yards is elite. Also, Austin Romaine with eight tackles. He’s a defensive leader. On offense, Kenny Johnson is locked in. But who’s the surprise? Maybe Travis Gentry? Or perhaps a lineman like Felix Ojo if he’s getting reps. But let’s talk trending down. With six quarterbacks, the bottom half is at risk. Kirk Francis and Lloyd Jones III are likely redshirt candidates or transfers if they don’t play.
Allison: Ouch. Six quarterbacks, and four are potentially looking elsewhere? That’s harsh. But realistic. College football is brutal. And on defense, who’s trending down? We saw A.J. Holmes Jr. get 1.5 sacks. He’s hot. But what about the secondary? Ben Roberts had a 24-yard interception return. That’s a highlight. But is he a starter? Or is he special teams?
Derek: Ben Roberts is a playmaker. Special teams units love guys like that. But defensively, if you’re not making tackles, you’re on the bubble. Jessiah McGrew had 14 tackles for ASU. Tech’s defense needs to match that intensity. If your linebackers aren’t producing, they’re vulnerable. So, trending down: any linebacker who didn’t step up in practice. And maybe some of the deeper WRs like Bryson Jones or Jalen Jones if they’re not seeing ball.
Allison: So, final prediction: Who makes the final cut? Or rather, who stays healthy and relevant? I’m saying Will Hammond starts. J’Koby Williams carries the load. Kenny Johnson is the primary target. And on defense, A.J. Holmes Jr. and Austin Romaine are the anchors. But the wildcard? Stephen Cannon. If Will gets hurt, Cannon walks in. But for now, the hierarchy is set.
Derek: I agree. The hierarchy is set based on performance. But don’t count out the depth. If Ren Brown or Connor Carty get injured, the next man must be ready. That’s the reality of being six-zero. Expectations are sky-high. Every player needs to perform like a starter. Especially against Cincinnati. We predicted a win last time. Are we sticking with it?
Allison: We are! Tech is disciplined, talented, and hungry. They defeated Arizona State, they’re first in the Big 12, and they’re ready for Cincinnati. Derek, wrap it up for us. What’s the one thing listeners should watch for this Saturday?
Derek: Watch the offensive line. If they protect Will Hammond for four quarters, Tech wins. Simple as that. Protect the passer, feed J’Koby, and control the clock. That’s how you beat a tough team like Cincinnati.
Allison: Protect the passer, feed the runner, control the clock. Love it. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Raider fan. Let’s keep this conversation going. Go Tech!