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CANYON — After a stellar career at Panhandle High School, Panthers' star quarterback Landyn Hack set off to continue his football career at West Texas A&M.
An accomplished signal caller in high school, the fit between Hack and the school closest to his hometown seemed natural. Yet, during his first two seasons on campus, the former Panthers' star struggled to find the right fit.
Now, heading into his third year with the team, Hack and Josh Lynn, West Texas A&M's head coach, both think the local standout has finally settled into a permanent role for the Buffs.
Hack has tried out four different positions since joining WT's roster, but may have finally found an avenue to getting on the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2025.
More: WTAMU names new OC, other storylines to watch in Buffs' 2025 spring football game
More: Panhandle's Landyn Hack is the Preseason High School Football Player of the Year
More: Three Panhandle High athletes sign to play college sports on National Signing Day
At Panhandle, Hack wasn't just any starting quarterback.
The son of head coach Dane Ashley completed 125-of-211 passes for 2,174 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 1,520 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior, earning Amarillo Globe-News Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Even with the skill set and production Hack brought with him to Canyon, though, the former Panther wasn't able to break into the Buffs lineup as a signal caller. Instead, Hack moved to running back before transitioning to outside linebacker and ultimately settling in as an edge rusher.
Despite being new to the position, Lynn said that the local product has made impressive strides in his first few months.
"He's doing a great job," Lynn said. "He's a good edge. He's fast, he's strong. You know, another thing about Landyn, gosh he's gotten big. He's kind of grown into a defensive lineman. We're happy with his progress."
Lynn reiterated that Hack's size and athleticism made him the perfect candidate to switch positions, saying that Hack was a "natural fit" at edge rusher.
West Texas A&M hasn't released it's 2025 roster yet, but on the 2024 team page, Hack was listed as a quarterback. The former Panthers' standout was listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds last season, and will likely weigh in even heavier this year.
Hack mentioned that he's spent much of his offseason in the weight room, getting bigger and stronger to compete in the trenches. The rising redshirt sophomore has also been focused on learning the trick of the trade from some of the more experienced players in his new position group.
"Just the little things," Hack said. "Hands, technique. Little tips on lineman and little things like that. ... (WT defensive lineman) Darius Carquillat, he's a freshman, but's played it his whole life. I've been watching (fellow Buffs' defensive lineman) Matthew Bryant, he's a phenomenal athlete. I've been watching them and what they do."
Despite being Panhandle's star quarterback in high school, Lynn said that Hack hasn't ever flinched when asked to switch positions, and is instead focused on doing whatever is best for the team.
Hack said this mentality comes from his upbringing, and his time playing football under coach Dane Ashley.
Hack's hard work seems to have paid off, though. The new edge rusher said he feels like he's finally found a home along WT's defensive front after making three different position changes in two seasons.
"It's crazy," Hack said. "Met a lot of different guys, built relationships with the whole team. Not that I didn't already have them, but, got to know them on a different level. Then, (getting to know) all the coaches. It's been a great journey all the way through, all positions."
At WT's spring game on Friday night, Hack got significant playing time along the defensive front, putting pressure on quarterbacks and keeping the edge contained against the run. With Justin Richter being promoted to defensive coordinator over the offseason, Hack has the chance to make an impression on the Buffs' coach with a strong performance this spring.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Former Panhandle football standout embracing transition from QB to DL
Continue reading...
An accomplished signal caller in high school, the fit between Hack and the school closest to his hometown seemed natural. Yet, during his first two seasons on campus, the former Panthers' star struggled to find the right fit.
Now, heading into his third year with the team, Hack and Josh Lynn, West Texas A&M's head coach, both think the local standout has finally settled into a permanent role for the Buffs.
Hack has tried out four different positions since joining WT's roster, but may have finally found an avenue to getting on the field as a redshirt sophomore in 2025.
More: WTAMU names new OC, other storylines to watch in Buffs' 2025 spring football game
More: Panhandle's Landyn Hack is the Preseason High School Football Player of the Year
More: Three Panhandle High athletes sign to play college sports on National Signing Day
Making the switch
At Panhandle, Hack wasn't just any starting quarterback.
The son of head coach Dane Ashley completed 125-of-211 passes for 2,174 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 1,520 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior, earning Amarillo Globe-News Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
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Even with the skill set and production Hack brought with him to Canyon, though, the former Panther wasn't able to break into the Buffs lineup as a signal caller. Instead, Hack moved to running back before transitioning to outside linebacker and ultimately settling in as an edge rusher.
Despite being new to the position, Lynn said that the local product has made impressive strides in his first few months.
"He's doing a great job," Lynn said. "He's a good edge. He's fast, he's strong. You know, another thing about Landyn, gosh he's gotten big. He's kind of grown into a defensive lineman. We're happy with his progress."
Lynn reiterated that Hack's size and athleticism made him the perfect candidate to switch positions, saying that Hack was a "natural fit" at edge rusher.
West Texas A&M hasn't released it's 2025 roster yet, but on the 2024 team page, Hack was listed as a quarterback. The former Panthers' standout was listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds last season, and will likely weigh in even heavier this year.
Hack mentioned that he's spent much of his offseason in the weight room, getting bigger and stronger to compete in the trenches. The rising redshirt sophomore has also been focused on learning the trick of the trade from some of the more experienced players in his new position group.
"Just the little things," Hack said. "Hands, technique. Little tips on lineman and little things like that. ... (WT defensive lineman) Darius Carquillat, he's a freshman, but's played it his whole life. I've been watching (fellow Buffs' defensive lineman) Matthew Bryant, he's a phenomenal athlete. I've been watching them and what they do."
Embracing change
Despite being Panhandle's star quarterback in high school, Lynn said that Hack hasn't ever flinched when asked to switch positions, and is instead focused on doing whatever is best for the team.
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Hack said this mentality comes from his upbringing, and his time playing football under coach Dane Ashley.
Hack's hard work seems to have paid off, though. The new edge rusher said he feels like he's finally found a home along WT's defensive front after making three different position changes in two seasons.
"It's crazy," Hack said. "Met a lot of different guys, built relationships with the whole team. Not that I didn't already have them, but, got to know them on a different level. Then, (getting to know) all the coaches. It's been a great journey all the way through, all positions."
At WT's spring game on Friday night, Hack got significant playing time along the defensive front, putting pressure on quarterbacks and keeping the edge contained against the run. With Justin Richter being promoted to defensive coordinator over the offseason, Hack has the chance to make an impression on the Buffs' coach with a strong performance this spring.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Former Panhandle football standout embracing transition from QB to DL
Continue reading...
