Arkansas freshman running back T.J. Hammonds got a small taste of what it’s like to be a role model to youth before reporting to Fayetteville in June.
Every Friday morning during the season, Pulaski Robinson strength and conditioning and linebackers coach Brian Maupin had morning duty at the local elementary school playground, and often Hammonds would accompany him with his game jersey on.
“That was just a big treat for all of the kids was seeing T.J. on Friday mornings,” Maupin said. “What’s funny is if he wasn’t with me or I dropped him off at the high school first, all the kids were ‘Where’s T.J.? Where’s T.J.?’”
Hammonds, 5-11, 203, 4.42, gave the kids a lot to cheer about by rushing for 1,375 yards, 22 touchdowns on 103 carries and having 23 catches for 661 yards, 6 touchdowns as a senior. He enjoys interacting with kids and knows they’re watching him on and off the field and that it's magnified as a Razorback.
“They inspired me to be the best person I can because I want to succeed and be successful for them, and I want them to look up and follow my footsteps, and I don’t want them to go in the wrong direction,” Hammonds said.