Interview: Arkansas commitment T.J. Hammonds just scratching surface of elite talent

A missing option and one of the main needs for the Arkansas Razorbacks program over the last two years has been a game changer on the outside of the offense and in the special teams return game. In the 2015 recruiting class Hogs head coach Bret Bielema addressed the need on offense signing wide receivers Dominque Reed, La’Michael Pettway, and Deon Stewart, all in-state talents.

The 2016 recruiting race has just really begun but the Hogs have already secured verbal commitments from two playmakers to their class, also in-state talents, Smackover wide receiver Jordan Jones (6’2”, 175 lbs) and Pulaski Robinson athlete T.J. Hammonds.

Both Jones and Hammonds will bring a much needed unique set of skills to the Arkansas program in 2016. Jones can help out in the passing game and potentially on special teams. But Hammonds brings all that and a little bit more.

Both talents are speed burners running third-party clocked 40-yard dash times in the 4.4 range. Hammonds offers new Arkansas offensive coordinator Dan Enos another option on offense, a one-step and gone running back.

Hammonds, 5’11”, 196 pounds, has the rare size and speed along with strength, a reported bench over 265 and squat nearing 400 pounds. All attributes that all college programs covet. He has great balance, willing to run up the middle, and does not shy away from contact.

Playing behind a senior in 2014 at tailback, Hammonds was limited to 66 carries but what he did with those 66 carries speaks volumes on the stat line: 835 yards with six touchdowns propping up a 12.7 yard per carry average.

Stick Hammonds in the slot or on the outside and the numbers become even more mind boggling, beyond video game results. Hauling down 42 passes the Robinson standout chomped up 1,109 yards with 11 additional scores. The quick math, a 26.4 yard per reception average.

When Hammonds completed his breakout junior season he had piled up over 2,000 yards of total offense with 18 touchdowns.

The other good news regarding Hammonds, he’s a good student. He’s already posted a qualifying ACT with a score of 23… remember he’s just a junior.

With success on the high school level comes college recruiters. To date 12 teams have extended offers including Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State, Duke, Georgia, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Vanderbilt to name a few. The interests, which is sure to bring more offers, includes Alabama, Auburn, Boise State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Pitt, Texas, and Washington.

In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, T.J. sat down to go over the 2014 season, recruiting, and preparing for another All-American caliber season in 2015.

 

T.J., the Senators had an up and down season finishing 6-5 after an opening round playoff loss to Pocahontas (24-15). Walk us through the season.

“Last year we we’re trying to get into the flow of the offense. We had some great seniors. We would have some great games and then have some bad games. We had some things we needed to work on. We lost a tough one in the playoffs.”

How does Robinson look heading into next year?

“We were really young last year. I think we can go all the way this year. I’m getting used to everything now from my sophomore to junior year changing from not starting to starting. I think it’ll be a real good year. The whole team will be good.”

What do you guys need to do to make a deep run into the playoffs this year?

“Play more physical and be consistent.”

Will your role on the team change during your senior year?

“I’ll be starting at running back. The team – we really don’t have a team captain, we all have a role. Everybody is stepping up being a leader. Since I have more eyes on me I have to step up and be the best I can be to help my team.

“Our defensive coordinator is talking about playing me at cornerback or safety.”

Do you have a preference?

“I’d like to play corner more than safety.”

Your highlight reel is pretty amazing. The opening play on the reel you take a receiver screen at your 30 back to the middle of the field, break it, but get called down at the 1-yard line. The ref was behind the play. Questionable call if you were in or not. Are you an advocate for instant replay in high school football?

“(Laughing) I’m hoping for it.”

Another highlight reel question. Your highlight reel is long (10 minutes 33 seconds), how many songs are played during your highlight reel on Hudl?

“(Laughing) Three.”

You actually know the number of songs?

“Yeah, when I was making it, I had to put three songs on there instead of two. Coach did my highlights. He asked me to add a couple of things that’s how I know.”

What are your strengths on the field at wide receiver?

“When they give me the ball in space on screens, stops, and on come backs I know I am fast enough to break the defender. Getting into the open and shaking the defenders is a strength.”

What about at running back?

“Getting the ball on an inside gun, a draw, and getting behind my linemen then I just take it from there.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I just want to get to the playoffs. My whole high school career I wanted to get past the second round and come home with the conference championship.”

No personal stat line goals?

“No personal record breaking goals. If I had to say something, how about 20 TDs and 2,000 yards rushing.”

You have a lot of great offers and it looks like more offers are sure to come. What influenced you to commit to Arkansas when you did?

“I like everything about them. I think it’s a good school. I’ve always wanted to play for the Hogs since I was younger. Fayetteville is a great city. I felt like I needed to commit early.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I was in Coach B’s (Bret Bielema) office with my parents. He was telling me how much they like me. He was taking a lot of time to meet with me and my family. We decided to go ahead and commit.”

What was Bielema’s reaction when you committed?

“He was excited about it. He started jumping around. The whole coaching staff was excited.

“He’s got a cool office. Did you know he has a remote control door opener for his office door?”

No, I didn’t know that. How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?

“I was excited, very excited. That’s where I wanted to be. I’ve dreamed about being there since I was a little kid.”

Is there a sense of relief, that to some extent, your recruiting process is over?

“Yes sir. Completely. Absolutely.”

You are on a lot of top school’s radar. More offers are sure to come. Will you take official visits to other schools in the fall?

“I’ll look at other schools if they offer. I haven’t really had a chance to checkout other schools yet but I’m fully committed to Arkansas.”

If you had to throw a quick list of schools together that might get an official visit from you which schools would be on that list?

“TCU, Arizona State, and Arkansas. The Hogs will get one of my official visits for sure.”

After you committed did any schools keep recruiting you hard or back off?

“Oregon, TCU, ASU, Arizona have kept in contact. The head coaches at TCU and Georgia stopped contacting me but the position coaches are all still in touch.”

When the coaches talk to you about your game what are they telling you they like?

“They like how versatile I am. I can do multiple things. They like my hips and my field vision.”

Are you going to any one-day college camps this summer?

“I don’t plan on going to any.”

As an offensive player what did you think about (quarterback) Cole Kelley’s commitment to the Razorbacks?

“That man is unbelievable. We’ve talked. I told him congratulations on the commitment.”

What else did the two of you talk about?

“We talked about having one of the best classes that Arkansas might ever have. He said we could do it. It was great talking to him. We might be playing together for the rest of our college careers.”

Have you been talking to any other Arkansas targets? Have you already started recruiting for the Hogs on your own?

“Yeah, I’ve talked to McTelvin Agim (Hope HS, DE, 6’3”, 269 lbs). He really likes Arkansas. I’d say the Hogs are definitely in his Top 3. I’ve also talked to Devin White (Louisiana RB). He likes Arkansas too.”

Who are some of the college or NFL players you enjoy watching play the game?

“I like watching FSU freshman running back Dalvin Cook. I like watching Ezekiel Elliot (Ohio State), and Georgia’s Nick Chubb. In the pros I like watching the slot. I watch Randall Cobb (Green Bay Packers), Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants), and the Colt’s T.Y. Hilton, he’s a great player. I like watching Texas A&M’s Speedy Noil too.”

What other sports do you play for Robinson?

“I play basketball and run track.”

Describe your basketball game for those that have never seen you play?

“I play the 1, 2, and 3. I play like Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My coach, Bryan Maupin, has had the biggest impact on me. He’s taught me a lot of stuff in and outside of football.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part of playing football is having a team with me and playing with each other. You don’t get that outside of sports. I like that we are protecting each other.”

 

In Hammonds’ first year as a full-time starter he set the school single season record for receiving yards. Knowing the talent that he has this accomplishment seems like a no-brainer. But even by his own words he essentially stepped onto the field in 2014 learning the nuances of the game as the season went along.

After one year seasoning under his belt and an offseason of training and mental preparation, now imagine just how much more explosive he will be on the gridiron as a senior. Knowing that he is already running in the neighborhood of a 4.42, is pushing his weight up and around 200 pounds, and is already strong enough physically to compete at the collegiate level, project ahead to just how dangerous T.J. will be in another two years and beyond.

Hammonds’ ceiling on the football field is seemingly without limits. Watching him tear up SEC competition for Arkansas could be on the level of former Razorbacks Felix Jones, if he plays running back, or Joe Adams, in the slot, and as well as both Jones and Adams performed on special teams.

The praise is high but then again the Arkansas program is on the way back up. Bielema and offensive line coach Sam Pittman have already formed one of the best offensive lines in the nation. New offensive coordinator Dan Enos has a great reputation as an offensive mind. With all the playmakers headed to Fayetteville stacking the box against the Hogs will be tough to do. Lanes will open up and guys with a skill set like Hammonds will be able to excel in the Hogs’ offense going forward.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: rivals.com; T.J. Hammonds

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; T.J. Hammonds gets a carry in practice