The writing was on the wall when Rodney Hammond Jr. requested to redshirt late in the season, but it’s been made official.
Hammond announced on Instagram that he’s entering the transfer portal after four seasons with the program. It’s an unsurprising but disappointing way for the Hammond era to end in Pittsburgh.
Hammond is the second Pitt running back to announce his intentions to transfer, along with redshirt freshman Montravius Lloyd.
Hammond initially committed to Pitt as a three-star recruit in the class of 2021, earning playing time immediately as a true freshman. He showed flashes during his tenure in Pittsburgh, but whether it was coaching decisions or an unspecified suspension to start his senior season, he was never able to put it all together on the field.
It’s the latest chapter in a turbulent Pitt career for the 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back from Norfolk, Va. He was suspended at the start of the season, missing the first four games of the season, but he was reinstated before the North Carolina game. He’s played in just four games this season.
Narduzzi mentioned the possibility of a redshirt season a couple of weeks ago, and while he would’ve liked to see Hammond in the lineup, it’s come to fruition. And it does make sense for Hammond in the long term.
Hammond played just 16 snaps this season, taking 12 carries for 35 yards (2.9 yards per carry) and hauling in two passes for 10 yards.
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.
He racked up 341 carries for 1,546 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns in three seasons at Pitt — adding 200 yards and two scores through the air.
The departures of Rodney Hammond and Lloyd (and the graduation of Daniel Carter) has left the Pitt running backs room very thin. Desmond Reid and Juelz Goff are set to return, and Synkwan Smith and Ja’Kyrian Turner are able to sign tomorrow. But Pitt will need to look for another back in the portal now.
