The emergence of T.J. Hammonds as Pulaski Robinson’s top offensive player and its most high-profile college recruit began with an assist from an assistant coach this past winter.
Hammonds' parents were going through a divorce, and it was beginning to take a toll.
"They were arguing," Hammonds said. "When I was trying to do homeworking, I couldn't take it. I was just frustrated."
Robinson strength and conditioning coach Brian Maupin sensed there was something wrong with the junior receiver.
“Coach Maupin asked me if there was anything going on at home,” Hammonds said. “I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ Then he pulled me in.”
Maupin and his wife, Sallie, decided to let Hammonds stay with them during various times in the offseason when he needed a break. Maupin said Hammonds’ mother was appreciative that his family took an interest in her son and were willing to their doors to him during a hard time.
“We worked together like a big family,” Maupin said. “We talked to her all the time. When he’s not there, he’s with us. We love having him. … God blessed us with the opportunity to house him. It worked out for the both of us.”
Hammonds is quick to admit that Maupin helped him get through a tough time.
“I had to stay with Coach Maupin to get my head back on,” Hammonds said. “He helped me get it right.”
Maupin also helped Hammonds realize that football could provide the diversion he needed from the problems at home.
Robinson was coming off a 6-5 season that ended with a loss to Prairie Grove in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs, and Maupin developed a rigorous offseason workout program in an effort to improve the Senators’ chances this season. The early morning workouts included weight training and plyometrics, an exercise designed to make muscles exert maximum force in short intervals in an effort to improve an athlete’s speed and power.
“Everything we do in the weight room, I try to do from an athletic position,” said Maupin, who modeled the program after one he took part in when he was playing linebacker at Harding University. “So when we’re on the field and we need to make plays from an athletic position, it’s something we’ve worked on.”
Hammonds threw himself into the program and was one of only two players — senior linebacker Blake Burks was the other — who attended every workout, Maupin said.
Hammonds, 5-11, 195 pounds, credits the program for helping him improve his speed, strength and ability to cut.
“We went all out in the workouts,” said Hammonds, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds. “Coach Maupin pushed us to the limit.”
Hammonds has barely scratched the surface of his potential, Maupin said. Hammonds wants to add 15 to 20 pounds to his frame and plans to run track later in the school year to help get his 40-yard dash time under 4.42.
“This is the first time in his life where he’s worked his butt off to maximize his potential, and his potential is scary,” Maupin said. “He’ll light the field on fire the rest of this year and next year.”
Hammonds has scored 6 touchdowns and accounted for 406 yards this season. He has rushed for 223 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 carries and has 5 receptions for 183 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also has a 34-yard punt return.
Football Bowl Subdivision teams are starting to take notice. Arkansas, Auburn, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Tulsa are among the schools that have shown interest. Senators Coach Todd Eskola said Hammonds is the most high-profile recruit in his 10-year tenure at the west Little Rock school.
He’s a special kid,” Eskola said. “He’s an unbelievable talent. He’s going to keep getting better. The sky’s the limit. He’s going to be flooded with offers.”
Hammonds also should benefit from having other talented players around him. Quarterback Brennen Johnson, cornerback Xavier Henry and senior running back Hakeem Aldridge have been vital in the Senators’ 3-0 start as they try return to the Class 4A playoffs out their new conference, the 4-4A.
“People can’t just key on him because we’ve got so many other kids who are play-makers as well,” Eskola said. “He’s going to continue to have a big year.”
Things seem to have settled down for Hammonds, both on the field and at home. He is living with his mother again, but he said he will never forget the impact Maupin has had on his life.
What Maupin did for him was about more than just football.
"He's family," Hammonds said. "He's like a dad to me."