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Another week and another Bishop Luers football star makes a college commitment. And the Big Ten is reaping the benefits.
Six days after his teammate made a decision, senior linebacker Tyquan Hammock made an oral commitment Tuesday to Michigan State.
“Michigan State seems like a great fit for me and my style of play,” Hammock said. “I see an opportunity for myself to go in and contribute early.”
Last Wednesday, Luers senior cornerback Lawrence Barnett orally committed to Indiana. Another Fort Wayne player, Homestead senior linebacker Jordan Barnes, committed to Michigan on June 24.
Hammock said he chose the Spartans over Indiana and Minnesota. It was a tough choice for Hammock, especially considering the recruiting coordinator for the Gophers is Hammock’s brother, Thomas.
“It was real tough, not just Minnesota, but Indiana as well,” Hammock said. “It was a real tough decision to make, but with Minnesota a little more having my brother there.”
Hammock, who is 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, is ranked as the fifth-best prospect in the state by Rivals.com. He led the Knights, who won the Class 2A state championship, with 150 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named first-team All-SAC and 2A All-State.
Bishop Luers won the school’s seventh state championship in November in a 21-6 win over Heritage Christian at the RCA Dome, and it was a big hit from Hammock that caused a fumble and turned the tide for the Knights.
Hammock is one of 400 nominees nationwide to be nominated for the Army All-American Bowl. He also played on Luers’ 2A state championship baseball team.
Hammock said Michigan State planned to play him at linebacker, but he wasn’t sure what spot.
“I am a versatile player,” he said. “Wherever I can play the soonest, I will play there.”
The Knights enter this season, which begins Aug. 22, with their two best players not having the distraction of choosing a college.
“It was something I had always planned on doing, and that was committing before the season,” Hammock said. “And not having that burden on me the whole season. My whole plan was to commit before the season and be done with it. It came to a surprise, but I knew at a certain time that I wanted to go to Michigan State so I made the decision.”
Barnett, who will also return kicks for the Hoosiers, chose Indiana last week over Michigan State and Illinois. The two had talked about being college teammates, but playing time lured the two apart.
gjones@jg.net
