Pitt snagged a win before it even stepped foot on the field at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Five hours before the Panthers' game against Georgia Tech, they picked up a 2021 commit: Virginia running back Rodney Hammond.
Hammond — who had offers from Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Michigan, North Carolina and more — is rated by Rivals as a three-star prospect and by 247 Sports as a four-star recruit. Hammond, the No. 35 running back in the country, according to Rivals, is the No. 16 player out of Virginia.
First I want to say I’m very excited I just want to take the this moment to thank everybody that have supported through the process also want to thank @BeattyCoach and @CoachDuzzPittFB #Gopitt #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/BlqbRUDaPb
— Rodney L. Hammond (@RodneyLHammond1) November 2, 2019
The Booker T. Washington standout has 1,391 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns through nine games this season, per The Virginian-Pilot. He rushed for 2,635 total yards as a freshman and sophomore, according to MaxPreps.
While he announced his commitment on social media Saturday morning, Hammond, surrounded by family, chose a Pitt hat and selected the Panthers Friday night after helping the Bookers roll past Wilson High School, 63-0. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound back rushed for 156 yards and four scores on eight carries and added a pick-six for good measure.
Hammond is the second member of Pitt's 2021 class. He joins West Mifflin outside linebacker Nahki Johnson, who committed in June.
John McGonigal: jmcgonigal@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jmcgonigal9
First Published: November 2, 2019, 3:37 p.m.
