SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State running back Rodney Hammond, Jr., was named as a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, it was announced today. The award is presented to the top offensive player in the FCS. Now in its 39^th year, past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp, Taylor Heinicke and Trey Lance.
 
In his first season at Sacramento State, Hammond rushed for 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 12-game season. His yardage total ranks seventh in school single-season history and he's now tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns. Hammond exploded during conference play, leading the Big Sky with 132.3 yards per game. He rushed for over 100 yards in seven of the eight games and had 130 or more yards in four contests.
 
The Norfolk, Va., native also caught 15 passes for 147 yards during the season, threw a 23-yard touchdown pass and led the team with an average of 28.4 yards per kick return. That total was aided by a 99-yard touchdown at Weber State. His 14 total touchdowns during the season are tied for the eighth most in school single-season history.
 
Prior to coming to the Hornets, Hammond played parts of four seasons at Pitt. He completed his collegiate career with 2,759 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns.
 
 The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee.