Pitt’s depth at running back suffered a significant blow Friday — the day before the opener against Kent State — when senior Rodney Hammond Jr., who’s been a valuable member of the offensive unit since 2021, was declared ineligible for the entire season.
Pitt officials did not give a reason. But they said Hammond, who has one year of eligibility remaining, will stay with the team this season and be permitted to practice.
Hammond rushed for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns in the past three seasons (32 games, eight starts). He also caught 22 passes for 150 yards and two scores.
He led a victory against Boston College last season when he ran for 145 yards and also was MVP of the 2022 Sun Bowl when he rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns while helping Pitt defeat UCLA.
Over the course of the recently concluded training camp, Hammond (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) was passed on the depth chart by junior Desmond Reid (5-8, 175), a transfer from Western Carolina. Coach Pat Narduzzi announced Thursday that Reid will start Saturday against Kent State.
The loss of Hammond elevates Gateway graduate Derrick Davis Jr. to the No. 1 backup role behind Reid. Davis (6-foot, 205) transferred from LSU last year and recorded only two carries for 8 yards in eight games, but he has received praise from his coaches throughout the month-long camp.
Other backs who could receive more playing time in Hammond’s absence include senior Daniel Carter, redshirt freshman Montravius Lloyd and freshman Juelz Goff.
