At the first scrimmage in August, Bryson Hammer knew his path to playing time had been expedited.

“I noticed that if I continued to do my job and do it well, then I could be the starting [punt] returner,” the Fremont Ross graduate said. “I was very excited because last year I didn’t play at all, so I thought if this is my way to get on the field and make plays and show the coaches that I can do this, then I’ll do it.”

He more than validated himself and special teams coordinator Stanton Weber’s trust after returning three punts for 83 total yards in Toledo’s 49-10 season-opening win over Duquesne on Thursday. With family and friends in attendance, Hammer had punt returns of 41, 24, and 18 yards.

Not bad for a walk-on redshirt freshman who had never played a game.

“I think this is the cool thing about sports,” UT head coach Jason Candle said. “That guy’s still on the scout team as a receiver, yet he's out here taking first-team reps as the punt returner and doing a really good job. Lots of young players can’t handle that. They can’t emotionally handle being on the scout team. They feel like they’re a failure, and this is a guy that just progresses and continues to improve and get better.”

Every coach’s job is to find the best players, prepare them thoroughly, and then place them in high-percentage situations. All of that explains why Hammer is UT’s punt returner and why he excelled on Thursday.

Special teams coordinators turn over every pebble to find someone who can help one-tenth of a percent. While assessing the roster, Weber noticed a 5-foot-11, 180-pound scout team wide receiver who had a burst of speed and navigated the field nimbly.

“Bryson got in rotation and he was extremely consistent at his approach to catching punts, which is not an easy skill,” the second-year special teams coordinator said. “You’re looking for a guy that does it well. Well, Bryson has the right approach, and he consistently showed he had that skill. … So it was a consensus between all the minds to say, ‘This guy deserves a chance. Let’s give him a chance. He’s going to do well.’ And I can’t say I was surprised about the result.”

One game’s work put Hammer 169 yards shy of the top five for punt return yards in a season. Suddenly, Donta’ Greene’s single-season school-record 443 yards looks attainable. The sample size is small, but Hammer’s 27.6 yard average is more than nine yards clear of Diontae’s Johnson’s school-record 18.5 yards per return set in 2018.

Hammer’s high school career was straight out of a video game. He was a three-year, two-way starter and holds the Fremont Ross record for career receiving yards (2,667) and solo tackles (190). He’s also first with 220 career receptions, 29 touchdown catches, and 1,056 kick return yards. The QB who delivered all those passes was Kaden Holmes, another UT walk-on.

During his senior season, Hammer — a three-time all-state selection — was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays for a one-handed touchdown grab against Whitmer.

ONE. HANDED. GRAB. ????????????

The pass was behind him, BUT HE DOESN'T CARE. ????

WR Bryson Hammer ???? #SCTop10 @ESPNAssignDesk @SportsCenter@FRHS_Athletics | #BCSNnation pic.twitter.com/8Jr658dA9w

— BCSN (@BCSNsports) October 22, 2022

“[Walk-ons] are all based off a position of need as you lead into each year,” Candle said. “Where you need bodies for practice, and you try to get the best quality that you can. Local guys have a leg up in that process just because we see them so much. You try to recruit guys that you feel can impact your team in any way. We’ve had a great history with walk-ons here. I mean, there are two guys out there on that wall that were draft picks and walk-ons.”

Despite the otherworldly stats and athleticism, Army and Navy were Hammer’s only options — unless he wanted to walk-on at Toledo. He chose the latter to stay near his family. Last season was an adjustment as Hammer suited up on the scout team during the week and stood on the sideline during games, never playing a single snap.

But those scout team reps were when he first caught Weber’s attention. And he wasn’t the only one watching. Candle saw Hammer’s steadiness. It wasn’t hard to notice a true freshman walk-on’s unflinching determination.

“I’m going to grind and get after it every time because not playing eats me up,” Hammer said. “So I just kept my head down and focused and did whatever I could to get on the field. It was tough. I haven’t been used to not playing at all. I just knew I had to get better. The coaches kept telling me to continue to work and get better. When your opportunity comes, take advantage of it.”

He did. And it wasn’t just speed and elusiveness on display. Hammer exhibited discipline and a sound football IQ, following blockers and staying on assignment.

“It’s very special to have a guy that understands that his job as a punt returner is just one of 11,” Weber said. “He did it at a really high level. And obviously, that adds tremendous value.”

Hammer wants to be known as a wide receiver. Fremont coach Chad Long described him as one of the best route runners he has seen in high school. Long nicknamed Hammer “Mr. Everything” because of his knack for making plays on offense, defense, and special teams.

It’s rare to be polished in every phase. For now, Hammer will make his name on special teams. Just don’t be surprised if he’s heard elsewhere.

“On scout team, I’m going to work my butt off and just continue to get better each and every day,” Hammer said, “because I want to be on the offense.”

First Published August 30, 2024, 7:11 p.m.