100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 43 Days – No. 43, Sr. LS Hayes Hammond
Jeff Lebby’s era of Mississippi State football has arrived.
The Bulldogs are on their third coach in as many years as Mike Leach’s tragic passing opened the door for defensive coordinator Zach Arnett’s debut as head coach last year. That experiment failed before the year even ended for State and now it’s Lebby’s turn to take the wheel.
While there is always a risk in hiring first time head coaches, Lebby brings to Starkville an exciting offensive scheme that has been productive everywhere he’s been. The coach has also brought with him some swagger that has the fanbase ready to see what’s next.
Over the course of the next 100 days, we will take a look at Lebby’s roster and even some fun historical rewinds that will bring back memories for Dawg fans of all ages.
Today, we look at a veteran snapper for the Bulldogs.
100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 43 Days – No. 43, Sr. LS Hayes Hammond
When fans are clamoring for their NCAA College Football 25 video game this week, there probably won’t be a mad dash for those to play a long snapper.
Players like Hammond are perfectly fine with that. The lack of the spotlight doesn’t make Hammond any less important. Those that follow college football have grown accustomed to just expecting the perfect snap, but there is a lot of hard work that goes into making it that.
Since Hammond’s redshirt freshman season, he’s been the Bulldogs’ snapper. He’s snapped in 37 of State’s 38 games during that stretch and added four tackles on special teams. On top of the work that Hammond has put in on the field, he has been even better in the classroom.
Hammond has already graduated from State and has been an SEC Academic Honor Roll member every year of his career. In 2023, he was the Bulldogs’ Burlsworth Trophy Nominee for an award given to the nation’s best walk-on.
The 5’10, 195-pounder came from Tupelo High School where he played for his father, Trent. He was an All-State player for the Golden Wave. He was originally an Ole Miss commit before he changed it to the Bulldogs and he finished as one of the top long snappers in the country.
