Jaxon Hammond liked his quick visit with Army football in April so much that he wanted to return to West Point as soon as possible.
Hammond, a cornerback from Christian Brothers High School in Memphis, was back for his official visit this past weekend. And, it won’t be Hammond’s last trip to the academy. Hammond gave his verbal commitment to linebackers coach Cortney Braswell Saturday.
“I feel in love with the school, football program and brotherhood,” Hammond said. “The brotherhood is a concept that is big at my high school. So, it was really cool to see it at that level too.
“The players who were there with me were all so close. You could see the brotherhood in full effect despite them all being from different parts of the country.”
Word spread quickly of Hammond’s commitment around Army’s football facility Saturday.
“The whole coaching staff and some of the players soon heard the news and celebrated,” Hammond said. “It feels amazing to be committed to Army and I’m anxious to get started.”
Army is recruiting Hammond to play in the secondary and his speed could also be a game-changer in the return game. Hammond holds Memphis city Division II-AA record in the 100-meter run with a time of 10.52 seconds. Hammond’s skills and speed were coveted by many schools, including the Southeastern Conference’s Mississippi State and Tennessee as well as hometown Memphis, Navy and Air Force.
“Coach Braswell, coach (Daryl) Dixon, and coach (Jeff) Monken have been actively recruiting since March,” Hammond said. “It had come down to a few schools, but I feel that Army was always going above and beyond in their recruitment.”
Hammond is Army’s second Tennessee commit of its 2023 class. He has connection within Army’s brotherhood. Hammond played basketball with the younger brother of Black Knights junior defensive end and Memphis resident Austin Hill.
Hammond has chosen to follow the path of his grandfather, Joseph Verrett III, who served in the Infantry branch of the Army.
“He loved his experience and always hoped that I might serve one day, too,” Hammond said. “I’m sure that he’s smiling down at me right now.
Army 2023 commits (21)
WR-CB Malcolm Anderson, 5-10, 185, Andress HS, El Paso, Texas: Other offers – Navy, Texas State, New Mexico State
DE Nick Buchys, 6-3, 240, Neshaminy HS, Langhorne, Pa.: First offer – Army. Army visit – April 14
RB Travion Dickens, 5-10, 180, Prescott (Ark.) HS: First offer – Army. Defensive MVP at Army All-Academic camp in June.
DE Sean Donovan, 6-2, 230, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn.: First offer – Army
OL Cole Evans, 6-2, 300, Archbishop Wood HS, Warminster, Pa.: Other offers – Temple. Army visit – April 22.
RB Brennan Fisher, 5-11, 190, Pennridge HS, Perkasie, Pa.: Army visit – April 9
DL Matt Gemma, 6-3, 280, Delbarton School, Morristown, N.J.: Other offers – Navy, Temple, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Kent State, Rice
DL Caleb Graham, 6-2, 255, Maryville (Tenn.) HS: First offer – Army. Other offers – Navy.
CB Jaxon Hammond, 5-11, 160, Christian Brothers HS, Memphis, Tenn.: Other offers – Navy, Air Force, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Memphis, Marshall, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Arkansas State, UConn. Army visit – April 14
OL Andrew Hardwick, 6-3, 260, Boyle County HS, Danville, Ky.: Other offers – Navy. Army visit – April 2
DE Aiden Jones, 6-3, 225, Covington Catholic HS, Park Hills, Ky.: Army visit – March 26
DL Patrick Kendall, 6-5, 270, Cathedral HS, Indianapolis, Ind.: Other offers – Navy
S Jake Lindsey, 5-11, 190, Camden County HS, Kingsland, Ga.: First offer – Army. Second offer – Air Force. Third offer – Navy
S Anton Pierce, 6-3, 202, Mills University HS, Little Rock, Ark.: Army visit – April 16
DE-LB Zane Poulter, 6-3, 215, Chico Hills (Calif.) HS: First offer – Army. Other offers – Air Force
LS Drew Prieto, 6-foot, 210, Marist School, Atlanta, Ga.: Army visit – April 22
QB Will Smiley, 6-foot, 167, Bay HS, Panama City, Fla.
RB Carson Smith, 6-1, 220, Middletown (Md.) HS
OL Broden Sobolewski, 6-2, 260, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Army visit – April 22.
LB Khaled Waliagha, 5-11, 205, Franklinton (La.) HS: 2021 stats – 123 tackles
RB Bill Young, 5-10, 180, St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton, Fla.: Other offers – Navy, Air Force, Central Michigan, UMass. Army visit – April 22
