Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
HEALTHY HAMMONDS back at running back.
OXFORD, Miss. — T.J. Hammonds is averaging 8.0 yards per carry for the Arkansas Razorbacks, but it’s a small sample size.
Hammonds has rushed 7 times for 56 yards in 7 games.
The sophomore from Little Rock might get more touches today than his season total when the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville plays Mississippi at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Hammonds, who has played primarily receiver this season but doesn’t have a catch, returned to running back on a full-time basis this week after Chase Hayden suffered a season-ending leg injury against Auburn.
Running backs coach Reggie Mitchell said Hammonds likely will get 10 to 15 touches against Ole Miss.
“We’re going to find a role for him,” Mitchell said. “How big that will be depends on his learning curve as far as what he picks up.
“We want to put him in a position where he will be successful, of course. How much he’s going to play is going to completely depend on how much he can learn and be able to play fast and be effective for us.”
Injuries have slowed Hammonds’ progress.
In early August, Hammonds suffered a meniscus tear that required knee surgery, though he played in the opener against Florida A&M and had three carries for 22 yards.
Hammonds had two carries for 22 yards at South Carolina, but Coach Bret Bielema said a foot injury he suffered in practice that week limited his role.
Bielema said Hammonds is healthy now and ready to play, as evidenced by his reaction Monday when Bielema called and asked him to stop by the office to talk about playing running back.
“He had a 9:40 class and I said, ‘Can I see you before?’ and he was at my door in like five minutes,” Bielema said. “He was like Superman. I think he’s excited to get out there.”
Hammonds, who wasn’t available for interviews this week, had 15 carries for 88 yards last season.
“He wants to play football and he wants to help us win,” Mitchell said. “If that means him being at running back, then he’s going to do that.”
Hammonds will be part of the running back rotation along with David Williams and Devwah Whaley.
“I think he can help us,” offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. “I think he’s a very capable running back.
“I think this way it’ll be a lot easier to get him touches and get the ball in his hands and see what he can do.
“I’m excited about the change to be honest with you. I think it’ll be something that could be a real positive for him, and if it’s a positive for him, it’ll be a positive for all of us.”
Hayden, who along with Williams has 326 rushing yards to lead the team, provided a breakaway threat with his speed and quickness.
The Razorbacks’ coaches and players said Hammonds could fill that role now.
“He can be a nice little
spark plug,” quarterback Cole Kelley said. “We can be running a simple play and he’ll take it 60 yards to the house when nobody’s really expecting it.
“That’s always good to have in the backfield with you.”
Guard Hjalte Froholdt said he’s confident Hammonds, 5-10 and 195 pounds, will be a boost for the offense.
“When you give him the ball he’s going to make some plays,” Froholdt said. “He’s going to make guys miss and he’s going to gain yards.”
Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said in practice Hammonds has shown the ability to create missed tackles by changing direction without slowing down.
“Some guys really have to gather and control themselves,” Rhoads said. “But he can hit a cut without forecasting that cut was coming.”
Enos said Hammonds has great vision to go along with his speed and shifty moves.
“He’s got really good feet and he can accelerate very quickly through the hole,” Enos said. “Some guys can get from zero to 60 very quickly.
“I think one of Chase Hayden’s big strengths is to get to that long stride quickly, and I think T.J. has that ability as well.”