Former Crest High School football standout Kyle Hammond will make Joplin, Mo., his new home after signing to play with the Missouri Southern State University Lions. The 2013 graduate played the past two seasons at Fort Scott Community College as a running back.
“It was a lot of fun,” Hammond said about transitioning to junior college football. “It was a lot different from changing to 11-man from eight-man, but I learned a lot. I came a long ways.”
Hammond said the game was much faster, and obviously, three more players are on each side of the ball.
“In the college level, everyone is good, so it’s a lot tougher,” Hammond said.
Missouri Southern will be another upgrade in competition. The team plays NCAA Division II football — specifically in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
“He’s a good, hard-nosed football player,” Southern Missouri coach Daryl Daye said of Hammond. “He has very deceptive speed. He has good vision and good feet; he’s a tough runner. In our style of offense, which is a three-back offense — a triple option — he fits in at a couple spots. He’s not a pigeon hole guy, he can do several things.”
This past season at Fort Scott, Hammond rushed the ball 72 times for 249 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 3.4 yards per carry.
“(Missouri Southern) came down and talked to me after my sophomore season at Fort Scott,” Hammond said. “I kept in touch with them, and I liked the coaches. So, I decided to head there.”
In high school, Hammond starred for the Lancers. For his career, he finished with 5,775 rushing yards and 102 rushing touchdowns; passed for 2,624 yards and threw 39 touchdowns; and caught 25 passes for 390 yards and seven touchdowns. He also returned six kickoffs for touchdowns on special teams. On defense, he finished with 358 tackles and six interceptions.
Hammond earned a spot on the All-Three Rivers teams all four years of high school. He earned All-State honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. K-Preps Magazine named him the 8-Man Division II offensive player of the year for 2012.
Coach Daye said the Lions recruited him mostly through seeing him play in the junior college ranks, although Daye did catch a glimpse of him at high school.
“Just normal recruiting, getting out and beating the bushes. We were able to find out what type of student he was and what type of player he was,” Daye said. “The best part about him is that he’s an excellent person and comes from a great family.”
While at Southern Missouri, Hammond plans to get a degree in physical therapy. But, he is also excited to continue his playing career.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new guys and being on a new team. I’m ready for the next chapter,” Hammond said. “I’m already taking classes that have to do with my degree. I’m just ready to take on the ‘new’ of everything.”
Hammond is enrolled to begin classes at Missouri Southern later this month.
“He gives us some experience,” Daye said. “He’s already been in the heat, so that will help us. We will also get him in the spring, so he will be aligned to our offense and come into camp. He’ll have the whole spring to prepare.”
Former Lancer standout signs with MSSU Lions
