Rodney Hammond Jr.'s kinetic running style deserves NFL attention
After emerging from a crowded Sac State backfield, Hammond’s power, vision, and special teams impact make him a compelling pro prospect.
Last season, Sacramento State played one of the most run-heavy styles of football in the nation under current Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who brought in over 70 players via the transfer portal to fit that smashmouth identity.
In a loaded running back room, one name emerged above the field: Rodney Hammond Jr.
Hammond initially split carries with several other backs, but slowly emerged as the bell-cow and primary option for Marion as both a three-down runner and kick returner.
He made the most of his opportunities, finishing the season with 1,216 rushing yards– good for ninth in Sac State single-season history– and notching 15 total touchdowns (13 rushing, one passing and one kick return.) His average yards-per-carry of 6.49 was one of the best marks in the FCS and the sixth-best in program history.
While Hammond doesn’t possess breakaway speed, his bounce, strength and footwork makes him a dangerous downhill weapon. A 40-yard dash of 4.63 doesn’t blow you away, but when Hammond gets going, he’s a tough man to tackle.
Gorgeous play design on Hammond’s big run.
— Jack Dann (@JackBDann) November 1, 2025
That’s 61 yards for Hammond, who’s beginning to generate NFL buzz in his senior season. https://t.co/qvngJwXqFU pic.twitter.com/IEfDmcEC7w
Hammond was asked to navigate crowded boxes against run-expecting defenses and delivered often, finding gaps and exploding through them for massive gains. In 2025 alone, Hammond had three 50-yard runs and a 99-yard kick return, displaying high-level agility and burst for his five-foot-nine, 194-pound frame.
Hammond is a capable receiving option out of the backfield and has good hands, but these aspects are not necessarily a strength of his game. He’s able to make simple catches during checkdowns, but isn’t a route-runner, nor does he possesses the open-field wiggle to break open screen plays and swing routes.
His best quality in the passing game will likely his pass-blocking, where he achieved a Pro Football Focus grade of over 70 in all of Sac State’s games, earning a 87.8 grade for the season. His low center of gravity allows him to be a weapon as a sixth lineman, something he had to do a lot of in Marion’s 31 personnel sets.
Hammond can be best described as a kinetic runner. When running between the tackles, he uses contact to generate momentum, using his elite field vision to identify secondary holes in the defense. This trait translates well to kick returning– arguably his best pro-ready skill.
In addition to his 99-yard return against Weber State, he had two return touchdowns called back due to holding and averaged the most average return yards since 1991 with 28.44 per return.
RODNEY. HAMMOND.
— Jack Dann (@JackBDann) October 12, 2025
That’s a 99 yard kickoff return for the senior running back out of Pitt. That’s his third touchdown of the night.
Grant Meadors makes the PAT, 48-27. pic.twitter.com/GABQsS1BbS
Hammond's clearest path to sticking on a professional roster is on special teams as a punt and kick returner, with the upside to develop as a rotational, passing-down running back. It's a valuable niche to occupy in the NFL, where special teams have become more important thanks to the dynamic kickoff rules adopted back in 2024. He’s most likely to be a priority undrafted free agent, with a chance at being a Day Three pick.
If taken in the NFL Draft or picked up as a UDFA, Hammond would be the sixth former Hornet in the NFL, joining Jackson Slater, Cam Skattebo, Marte Mapu, DaRon Bland and DeAndre Carter.
If drafted, Hammond would be the fifth Hornet draft pick since 2022, and the third in two years.
