Kedon Slovis wore No. 9 while at USC, and with Rodney Hammond Jr. wearing No. 9 at Pitt last season, it appeared that he might’ve been looking for a new number. However, that may not be the case.
Pitt News’ Dalton Coppola reported that Hammond appears to have changed his number back to his high school No. 6 after an Instagram story showed a change to Hammond’s Pitt locker. Tre Tipton had previously worn No. 6 at Pitt, but he’s exceeded his college eligibility and will not be back next season.
Hammond wore No. 6 at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia before arriving at Pitt and wearing No. 9 as a true freshman in 2021. As a true freshman, Hammond emerged as a reliable option in Pitt’s rushing attack, racking up 484 yards and five touchdowns on 98 carries and adding 57 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions.
Slovis threw for 7,576 yards and 58 touchdowns, completing 68 percent of his 958 passing attempts, at USC from 2019-21. He arrived at Pitt in January after entering the transfer portal after USC’s up-and-down 2021 season and committing to Pitt in December.
He’s expected to compete with Nick Patti for Pitt’s starting quarterback spot in 2021 — replacing Kenny Pickett. And No. 9 Slovis and No. 6 Hammond could line up together in Pitt’s backfield.
Hammond should have been the. lead rusher in the Bowl game after Izzy got hurt. he’s a great forward runner. Great attitude.