‘Everything Happens for a Reason’: Oscar Hammond Rejoins Eric Morris and Co. After a Year Apart

STILLWATER — There has been a lot of talk this offseason about all the talent that followed Eric Morris up I-35 from North Texas, but there’s an argument to be made that Morris was just following Oscar Hammond.

A tight end out of Collinsville, Hammond transferred to Oklahoma State from North Texas ahead of last season but missed the entire year after suffering an injury in camp. A year removed from that downer, Hammond has rejoined many staff members and players from his year in Denton.

“Whenever I found out, I was like, ‘Wow,'” Hammond said. “I thought it was crazy, just how everything happens. Like I’ve told a lot of people, it’s God’s plan, you know. Everything happens for a reason. When I found out, I was really excited — great coaches, great staff. I loved my position coach (Drew Svoboda) there, too.”

Hammond said Morris hasn’t changed a ton from when he played for him in 2024 and now, joking that OSU’s new coach “knows how to get on our butts.”

As remarkable a story that Hammond’s coaching staff got hired at the school he transferred to is, Hammond’s individual journey is just as impressive.

Hammond had virtually no Division-I recruitment coming out of Collinsville, where he won a state championship as a senior while starting on both sides of the ball. So, he started his college career at Central Oklahoma in Edmond, where it was evident pretty early on that he had been overlooked.

As a true freshman for the Bronchos, Hammond played in nine games, catching 25 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown. His next year was even better, catching 33 passes for 463 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games as a sophomore.

That led to Morris and Co. grabbing Hammond out of the portal ahead of the 2024 season at North Texas, and the jump from Division-II to Division-I didn’t slow Hammond down too much.

Hammond was the Mean Green’s lead tight end in 2024, catching 19 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. He caught one more pass than a freshman Wyatt Young did that season. Hammond had at least one catch in nine of the 10 games he took part in, which included a four-catch, 69-yard outing against Stephen F. Austin, also scoring his TD in that game.

Morris spoke about what Hammond’s brings to a tight end room earlier this week.

“I think Oscar’s, obviously, your guy that’s a hybrid, that’s a great receiver,” Morris said. “You can split him out. You can match him up against linebackers and have the advantage. He’s a great pass catcher, great route runner.”

That standout year with North Texas led Hammond back to the portal and Oklahoma State, the school he grew up cheering for.

Quickly, Hammond had jumped from D-II to Group of Five to Power Conference football.

“I always knew I wanted to play at this level no matter what,” Hammond said. “I grew up being an OSU fan, so I’m very excited to be here. I’m very excited for this season. I’m very excited for everything we’ve got going on. I’ve always wanted to play here.”

Who knows with modern eligibility rules, but hypothetically speaking, last year should’ve been Hammond’s final year of college given he started playing as a true freshman. But that injury in camp meant he had another year on the horizon, and little did he know when he suffered the injury, it’d be with Morris.

“It was tough,” Hammond said. “Whenever I got hurt, it was definitely hard on my mental at first, but as I’ve thought about it and as everything kinda happened, I just realized how thankful I am. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so I’m just thankful I have another year. I’m able to play again. The grind doesn’t stop here, so I’m very excited.”

Hammond’s lone year in Denton was Drew Mestemaker’s true freshman season.

As Mestemaker was going from not playing quarterback in high school to climbing the Mean Green depth chart, Hammond was on the field playing.

Hammond said he remembered catching a few balls from Mestemaker in practice, and when all this Denton-to-Stillwater movement started happening, Hammond’s father reminded him of something his son had shared with him.

“I had told my dad about him,” Hammond said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, we got a young quarterback that’s pretty good.’ I couldn’t really remember that, but my dad told me I did tell him that. I just thought it was funny because to see his positioning now, I’m so happy for him, man. It’s so good to see what he’s done and what he’s capable of continuing to do. I’m so happy for him, man. Great kid. I remember him being a great guy at North Texas, being a good guy coming in. Always been a great guy with a level head.”