Former Pitt RB Rodney Hammond Denies Transfer Rumors

Former Pitt Panthers running back Rodney Hammond denied transfer rumors.

Nov 2, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Rodney Hammond Jr. (6) in action during the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pitt Panthers running back Rodney Hammond Jr. recently shut down rumors about where he was transferring.

Hammond, who entered the transfer portal on Dec. 3, said on Twitter that he isn't committed to a program and hasn't signed anywhere, with his recruitment still open.

I’m not committed or signed yet my recruitment still open

— Rodney L. Hammond (@RodneyLHammond1) December 23, 2024

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that Hammond committed to FCS program Sacramento State. Brennan Marion, who is now head coach of Sacramento State, coached Hammond at Pitt in 2021 as a wide receivers coach and the two would reunite.

Hammond denied those claims and is still looking for a school for his final year of college football.

Hammond came to Pitt from Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Va. He ran for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns and made six interceptions in the secondary. He committed to Pitt on Nov. 21, 2019, with 247Sports ranking him as a three-star, No. 51 athlete and No. 18 recruit in Virginia, while Rivals had him at No. 13 in his state and No. 38 running back in the Class of 2021. 

He played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2021, with 102 carries for 504 yards and five touchdowns, along with eight catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns. His play helped Pitt win their first ACC Championship and made the Peach Bowl. 

Hammond had 17 carries for 100 yards in a win against New Hampshire at home in Week 4 and 16 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown against Duke on the road in Week 10. He also had a touchdown catch against Wake Forest in the ACC Championship game.

He would play in eight games and make two starts at running back in 2022, missing five games after suffering an injury against West Virginia in the season opener. He finished the season with 109 carries for 460 yards and five touchdowns, plus six catches for 73 yards. 

Hammond played in all 12 games and started six in 2023, with 118 carries for a team-high 547 yards and four touchdowns plus eight catches for 60 yards.

Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi named Western Carolina transfer/junior Desmond Reid as the starter for their season opener against Kent State on Aug. 31 at Acrisure Stadium.

Pitt announced prior to the season opener vs. Kent State that Hammond was suspended for an undisclosed reason.

He came back for the North Carolina road game in Week 6, but he hardly featured the rest of the season, allowing him to preserve his redshirt.

Hammond played in four games this season, with just 12 carries for 35 yards and and two receptions for 10 yards. This included the wins at home vs. Cal in Week 7 and Syracuse in Week 9, as well as the loss vs. then ranked No. 20 SMU in Week 10.

Reid had a sensational 2024 regular season, rushing 151 times for 767 yards and four touchdowns, making 47 catches for 564 yards and four receiving touchdowns and making 12 punt returns for 148 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown return vs. Kent State. He also earned All-American honors as an all-purpose back.

Pitt will have three returning running backs next season in Reid, rising redshirt senior Derrick Davis Jr. and rising redshirt freshman Juelz Goff.

They also have incoming freshman in Synkwan Smith out of Roswell High School in Roswell, Ga., Ja'Kyrian Turner out of South Sumter High School in Wildwood, Fla. and Jaylin Brown out of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

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