Pitt football has been hit by a major loss less than 24 hours before the start of the 2024-25 season.
Rodney Hammond Jr. — a 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back from Norfolk, Va. — has been declared ineligible for the 2024 football season. According to the Pitt press release, Hammond remains a member of the team and can practice with the team but is unable to compete in games.
It’s a major surprise, but perhaps it shouldn’t be after Narduzzi named Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid the starter for Week 1 against Kent State. Regardless, it’s a major blow to the Pitt running backs room.
Hammond led the Panthers with 118 carries for 547 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and four touchdowns last season, a season in which his usage was wildly inconsistent on a week-to-week basis, and he’s a three-year contributor.
Hammond has racked up 329 carries for 1,511 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns in three seasons at Pitt — adding 190 yards and two scores through the air.
Pitt will now turn to Reid and Derrick Davis Jr. to lead the running backs room this season.
Reid — a 5-foot-8, 175-pound running back — was one of the breakout stars of the offseason upon arriving from Western Carolina and was listed as a co-starter with Hammond on the Week 1 depth chart.
“(Reid has) been explosive, he makes plays, he’s a great pass protector and he’s just been really consistent and stayed healthy,” Narduzzi said.
Davis — a 6-foot, 205-pound running back from Pittsburgh, Pa. — has been another strong performer in camp. Reid, Davis and someone like Daniel Carter or Montravius Lloyd will shoulder the bulk of carries in 2024.
“Might be 30, 33 (percent split in carries), whatever,” Narduzzi said. “I’ll tell you, Derrick Davis has been impressive. I’ve told you that in the last couple of weeks. And the guy’s been a ‘War Daddy’ running back right now, so I like where he is as well.”
Hammond wasn’t talked about much during the offseason, but when Narduzzi was asked about him Thursday, he offered this: “He’s had a good camp, and we’re happy with where he is.”
It remains to be seen what will happen with Rodney Hammond Jr. going forward, but he does have his redshirt season available if needed.
Why is he ineligible? That is the big question
They rarely say because of privacy, but then rumors run amok. Someone heard from someone. It’s not fair to the kid.
Considering the elite talent that he is, It definitely seemed strange how tight lipped they were about Rodney. Whatever the specific issue, I wish Rodney the best.
Get real. Hammond is nowhere near elite. In this offense, he’ll hardly be missed.
depth, pitt can’t lose anyone…especially a RB with that many career carries
Best wishes Rodney. Be strong, come back stronger. H2P!
He’s probably gone anyway, I’d be surprised if he returns next year.
If he was academically ineligible, they probably would have known that sooner? If its a discipline thing, it would likely have been only 2-3 games, or off the team entirely? Strange. RB seems one of our strengths, so at least that, but would be nice to know why.
Just a thought on Hammond being ineligible… should we even care that he is ineligible? Does his eligibility really change anything? Pitt was a 3-9 program last year. Wasn’t Hammond a key performer, our top running back? He was a below average performer on a poor team. The question is was he below average because he was on a poor team, or was the team poor because he was below average? Really, let’s not act like we just lost Connor, Ollison, Graham, Abankanda (the RB tree before him). If anything, his performance last season made us forget how solid the… Read more »
Really can’t disagree with you
Cignetti was the cause of the 3 – 9 season. Period.
I suppose since you added a “Period” at the end of your comment the conversation has ended. Since as you so clearly stated “Cignetti was the cause of a 3-9 season” we now have all issues resolved. With Cignetti being fired we should all enjoy the perfect zero loss season
Not ideal.
My guess, it’s academic related but I don’t know.
He must have took booster money or hired an agent and lost his amateur status
The only way a player not transferring can be ruled ineligible is grades. It’s not rocket science.
As a former college athlete. If it’s grades, typically you’re not usually allowed to practice either.
Will he have to return that NIL money? 💰