Pitt leading rusher declared ineligible for season ahead of opener

Pittsburgh senior running back Rodney Hammond Jr. has been declared ineligible for the 2024 season on Friday, one day before the team’s season opener against visiting Kent State.

The school did not announce a reason for its decision on Hammond, who remains a member of the team and is permitted to participate in practice.

Hammond led the Panthers in carries (118), rushing yards (547) and rushing touchdowns (four) last season. He has rushed for 1,511 yards and 14 touchdowns in three seasons with Pittsburgh, highlighted by his two-score performance in the Panthers’ 37-35 victory over UCLA in the 2022 Sun Bowl.

Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi named Western Carolina transfer Desmond Reid as the team’s starter at running back on Thursday. When asked about Hammond, Narduzzi said, ‘He’s had a good camp.’

Reid will see a familiar face in Kade Bell, who has assumed the role of Pitt’s offensive coordinator after previously serving in that role with high-powered Western Carolina.

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