That was the case with wide receiver Josh Hammond, an undrafted player out of the University of Florida. “After I knew I didn’t get the mail when they got it, I’m like, ‘All right, I’m probably not going to get the invite’, so I was kind of prepared for it in a way. He also continued his hard work away from the gridiron and was named onto the SEC Academic Honor Roll for a second year in a row. It wasn’t just me in there by myself trying to figure things out, the whole receiving corps would come out. In preparation for his late-March evaluation, Hammond spent hours under the blazing South Florida sun with an emphasis on speed work and positional drills at a local high school, his days often beginning at 7 A.M.Though the vast majority of the Pro Day circuit was shortened due the global pandemic, Hammond Josh Hammond experienced a unique path through Gainesville. Then, just a few weeks ago, the word came out that Pro Day had been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, sidelining all four and the rest of the draft … To light up their day, for them to look forward to that one day, that was a really special deal.”When the NFL Scouting Combine’s official list of participants was released to the public in February, Hammond’s name was noticeably omitted. He appeared in all 13 games and started seven for 27 receptions, 346 yards and two touchdowns - coming in sixth on the team in receiving yards. Florida just felt like home, I’d been going there since I was nine years old, and it was all I knew.”Part of a stacked 2016 recruiting class that featured the likes of Chauncey Gardner, Jawaan Taylor, Jachai Polite — and fellow pass catchers Tyrie Cleveland, Freddie Swain, and Dre Massey — Hammond’s initial path to playing time appeared daunting.“The talent level that’s [at Florida] is through the roof,” Hammond acknowledged. Despite no Pro Day or Combine, Josh Hammond is ready for the NFL Draft. According to Andrew DiCecco of Pro Football Network, former Gators… The younger guys, I tried to help them out and make sure they do things right, plus the knowledge I had with the playbook — I knew everybody’s position, I knew where everybody was supposed to be and what everybody was doing.”Last season, the Gators receiving corps was comprised of four senior wide receivers with NFL aspirations: Van Jefferson, Tyrie Cleveland, Freddie Swain, and Hammond. “I went to Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan — a bunch of different schools — just to get a feel for what was out there. Younger brother of former Gator wide receiver Frankie Hammond. Then, just a few weeks ago, the word came out that Pro Day had been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, sidelining all four and the rest of the draft …
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CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. It’s just something you put a little chip on your shoulder, continue to work and get better and when your opportunity comes, make the most of it.”Rather than dwell on circumstances out of his control, Hammond focused his attention on Florida’s Pro Day. You’re getting thrown a big playbook that you’re not accustomed to, because you’re used to a simple playbook in high school. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. It is the most viewers in the history of the draft. ... Hammond is the lone draft … We’d be in the indoor until sometimes 9-10 o’clock at night, just trying to get things right, because we knew the talent that we had.”Hammond appeared in all 13 games a season ago, logging seven starts, accumulating 27 catches for 346 yards and two touchdowns.