Pitt’s Hammond Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List
8/9/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Rodney Hammond Jr., whose standout performance lifted Pitt to a 2022 Sun Bowl victory over UCLA, has been named a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award presented to the nation's top college running back. The Doak Walker watch list was unveiled today by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Hammond was named the C.M. Hendricks Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player after rushing for 94 yards and two TDs on 25 carries in the Panthers' 37-35 victory over the Bruins. His scores both came in the second half and helped Pitt overcome a 14-point deficit.
It was an epic conclusion to the season for Hammond, who earlier had missed five consecutive games due to injury. He still finished as the Panthers' second-leading rusher with 460 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries.
In addition to his bowl heroics, Hammond last year led Pitt to a 19-9 win over Syracuse, rushing for a career-high 124 yards on 28 carries with a TD in his first career start. The Orange entered the contest owning the ACC's top-rated defense (303.1 yards per game).
He was also a sparkplug in the Panthers' season-opening 38-31 win over West Virginia, rushing for a team-high 74 yards and two TDs on 16 carries and catching two passes for 55 yards before getting injured late in the final period.
Hammond enters his junior season as Pitt's active leading rusher. Over his initial two college seasons, he compiled 964 yards and 10 touchdowns on 211 carries.
The Panthers are in their second week of training camp. Pitt opens its 2023 season against Wofford at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 2. For Pitt football ticket information, log on to PittsburghPanthers.com or call (800) 643-PITT.
Pitt Players on Preseason Watch Lists:
Maxwell Award (National Player of the Year): Quarterback Phil Jurkovec
Outland Trophy (Interior Lineman): Offensive Tackle Matt Goncalves
Lou Groza Award (Place-Kicker): Place-kicker Ben Sauls
Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile): Cornerback/Punt Returner M.J. Devonshire
Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service): Tight End Gavin Bartholomew and Defensive Tackle David Green
John Mackey Award (Tight End): Tight End Gavin Bartholomew
Rimington Trophy (Center): Center Jake Kradel
Doak Walker Award (Running Back): Running Back Rodney Hammond Jr.
National College Football Awards Association Watch List Calendar:
Mon., July 31: Maxwell Award
Tue., Aug. 1: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Wed., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
Thu., Aug. 3: Paul Hornung Award/Wuerffel Trophy
Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award
Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award
Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award/Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award
Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award
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