PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ| THE SIGNAL
This past Wednesday during the team’s bye week, Georgia State announced the release of freshman runningback Krysten Hammon from the team.
Hammon asked for his release from the team last Monday morning, according to a source. He has intentions on transferring, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) reported that head coach Trent Miles is restricting him from moving to other Sun Belt schools.
He announced the news via Twitter shortly after it broke.
“Granted my release at Georgia State. Thanks for everything !”—Krysten Hammon (@TheeeGifted) on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
The tweet was later deleted but is still visible as it was reblogged on PantherTalk.com. Hammon’s biography page is still listed on the football section of the Georgia State sports website.
Hammon only played two games with the Panthers. He had 13 carries for 78-yards in his debut against Abilene Christian in which Georgia State won 38-37. He posted a 127-yard performance with a pair of touchdowns on 25 carries in a game in which the Panthers suffered a late 34-31 defeat to New Mexico State.
“We thought we had it won. We just didn’t finish,” Hammon said after the game. “I feel like when we got up that we relaxed a little bit. We should have done the complete opposite.”
Miles then suspended Hammon for conduct detrimental to the team, preventing him from playing in the Panthers’ matchup against Air Force—an eventual 48-38 defeat. He did not travel with the team to Seattle for their first road matchup of the season when they played Washington—a 45-14 loss.
Some are already speculating that Hammon, who played his high school football at Dickinson High in the Houston metropolitan area, may move back to Texas to be closer to home. While at Dickinson, he amassed more than 4,000-yards rushing at the Texas Class 5-A level, including coming close to a 2,000 yard campaign in his senior season.
During his recruiting process, Hammon received offers from Texas State (a Sun Belt school) as well as from Baylor and the University of Texas-San Antonio. He has since tweeted that he has received offers from two FBS programs.
Already 2 full ride offers I thank god that I am blessed with the opportunity to do what I love at another Division1 program #ProveEmWrong
— Krysten Hammon (@TheeeGifted) September 28, 2014
Hammon also hinted at his interest in joining one Texas school–TCU. Shortly after the Horned Frogs’ 56-0 victory over the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, he congratulated David Porter III, TCU’s wide receiver.
@Mr_AceQuad good win bro! Hope I can join the family next semester !
— Krysten Hammon (@TheeeGifted) September 28, 2014
Along with Hammon’s release, injuries to Kyler Neal and Jonathan Jean-Bart have raised further questions about the team’s health at the runningback position. Junior cornerback Marcus Caffey was observed at Wednesday’s practice taking snaps at the runningback position and Gerald Howse will soon return after suffering from a broken hand.
The news has caused talk among aficionados of Georgia State football, including doubts that Miles may not be able to keep talent with the Panthers.
“It came at a really awful time, and it raises questions,” Will Butcher, a Georgia State alum, said. “I wish we did not have to ask about Coach Miles and his ability to keep talent in Panther blue.”
Butcher also referenced how the release could further affect the team along with the rash of injuries the Panthers experienced in Washington.
“We had a real shot against Washington until our guys went down. It was awful timing,” Butcher said.
Miles was not available for further comment. The Signal also attempted to reach John Snelson, Hammon’s high school coach at Dickinson. He also was unavailable to share his thoughts.
The Panthers will be back in action this Saturday on the road at Louisiana-Lafayette as they resume Sun Belt play.
