Interview: Split Stats Not Doing Justice to Talented 2019 Arizona LB/TE Hogan Hatten
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There is a reason you are reading this interview and why I am writing the article – the joy and fun the game of football brings to us all. There is nothing more exciting than watching a talent on the field that is wound up and ready to go. There is also nothing better to see than a selfless player putting team before himself capable of going out under the lights at multiple positions and tearing it up. The aforementioned is a partial description of Hogan Hatten.
Hatten was a proverbial thorn in the backside for every 6A squad Pinnacle High School faced in 2017, and on both sides of the ball. The Class of 2019 standout helped the Pioneers to the playoffs at tight end by blocking for his teammates and snagging 15 passes for 240 yards with four trips to the end zone. On the other side of the ball, Hatten was that linebacker running backs hate to see compiling a line of 59 tackles, 35 solo, six tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception, and four forced fumbles.
The 2017 season ended with Hatten earning second team All-Region honors but does not tell the full story, even with the shared stats. The Pioneers staff essentially played Hatten five games at tight end and five games at linebacker, but not both at the same time. The split stats may seem like a solid all-around season, but allowing the 6-3, 232-pound, rising star to do his thing at either or both positions for the entire season… now imagine the stats he would have posted and the postseason honors he would have collected.
During the offseason, Hatten switched schools going from Pinnacle to national powerhouse Saguaro, but that has not detoured college coaches from keeping tabs on him. Interest is coming in from top programs like Vanderbilt, Boise State, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, and Air Force, just to name a few, with a recent offer on the table from Brown. Coupling Hatten’s abilities on the field with his 3.93 GPA and 30 scored on the ACT, makes him a very easy offer and a welcomed addition to any college football squad.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I got amble time with Hatten for an in-depth conversation covering his junior campaign playing tight end and linebacker with an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Hogan, you had a rare interception taken back for a touchdown or a scoop and score; what happened on that play and what were you thinking when you knew you had the opposing quarterback beat for the touchdown?
“On that play, we were in a regular match Cover 3. The offense ran a crossing route; we had it covered. Our safety came down, hit the ball and jarred loose. The receiver kicked it up to me. He never fully caught it, so it was an interception instead of a fumble recovery. It was a big conference game against O’Connor. The interception was a release of a bunch of emotion; everyone is going crazy. Normally, you cannot hear the crowd, but when I got into the end zone I could hear everyone yelling.”
You did a very good job of filling the middle for the Pioneers defense last season as a Mike backer, how did you prepare for each game throughout the season allowing you to be even more productive on the field?
“My linebacker coach and I would watch film together. I knew 40 percent of the plays before they happened. With the formation and lineup, I knew if it was a fake dive or a pop pass to tight end. I knew the chances any given play would happened. I was very prepared before the game to make plays.”
Which areas of your game grew the most at middle linebacker last season?
“I’d say being able to read the offensive line, filling holes when something opened, and making play at the line of scrimmage. My sideline to sideline improved. I got a lot faster. I was 180 pounds my sophomore year starting at linebacker. I was not very fast then. But, I was 230 for my junior year, I was beating a clock at a 4.83 in the 40. That was a big difference for me. There was more ground I could cover.”
When did you start playing linebacker?
“I’ve been playing linebacker since the seventh grade. Last year, we needed a Y-spot. Haden (twin brother) was the H-back. I let them know I would fill in if needed. I felt I did well in that role. When our linebacker corps got thin, they moved me back to linebacker. Then they had someone else fill in at Y.”
You made some big plays on offense as well a tight end/Y, how did your game grow on that side of the ball?
“It grew working with our tight end coach. He is a former NFL player. He was absolutely awesome. He shared his knowledge with my brother and I. I learned how to release and down block. He grew me to a five-tool player. But, my home was always on the defensive side of the ball.”
I think I know the answer to this but, between the two positions, which do you like best?
“I am more of a linebacker. I am physically more of a linebacker. I have good size and speed for that position. With my strength, speed, and agility, I am more of a traditional middle linebacker. I can fill holes and drop into coverage, and I can chase the H-back out of the backfield.”
In the offseason you transferred to Saguaro, how has the transfer gone so far?
“It has been incredible. You can tell why they have won five state championship in a row. We workout in the morning and then lift during first period. We have a college program in high school. You can see why the kids that come out of here are successful in college. They breed successful people.”
Are you guys still doing the grueling Zero Dark Thursday morning workouts?
“Yes.”
What were those workouts like for you over the first couple of sessions?
“Luckily for me, I had run a mile and a half a day before we started because of baseball. I was in pretty good shape. The workouts gave me that mental edge you need when things get tough. You have to show your teammates you are ready to fight with them when things get tough. No one wants a pity show when you are tired.”
Where all will we see you on the field during your senior year with the Sabercats?
“My senior year I am playing middle and outside linebacker. We have a hybrid spot in our 4-2. I am playing the strong-side, covering the defensive tackle.”
Which parts of your game are you focused on this offseason?
“This offseason I am working on speed so I can be even better on my sideline to sideline. I am working on more pop straight ahead and my strength. I am squatting 400 pounds six or seven reps now. I am preparing myself for what may come during my senior year.”
Have you been to any camps this offseason?
“No. The last camp I went to was a Rivals camp in Columbus, Ohio.”
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest in you?
“Princeton, Air Force, UC-Davis, NAU, Utah, Boise State, Montana State, Cornell, Yale, Harvard, and Vanderbilt.”
You recently picked up an offer from Brown, what was it like to receive your first offer from Brown?
“There are no words to explain the excitement and feeling of all the hard work paying off. It is a dream come true. When you are growing up dreaming of playing college ball, the feeling of want is unbelievable. When someone else shows you love it is really special.”
Which schools have you visited so far in 2018?
“In order, I have visited Northern Arizona, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Harvard, and Cornell.”
Do you have any planned visits?
“This weekend I am going to UNR (Nevada).”
What has you excited about visiting Nevada?
“I can’t wait to meet the coaches and see the campus. I hear the campus is great. I want to see their stadium, facilities, and their locker room.”
You mentioned playing baseball earlier, how is the baseball season going?
“Statistically, I am having a great year. I had not played in two years, I’ve been working out for football. Clay Randall told me your coming out for baseball like it or not. I’m batting .438, which is No. 6 in 4A. I have 18 RBIs, that is No. 8 in 4A, and I have a 1.53 ERA, that is No. 2 in 4A.”
Nice. What is your win-loss record?
“I’m 3-1. I am used more as a reliever not a starter.”
Last question. If you could talk to each and every college football coach in the nation at one time telling them about yourself as a student-athlete, what would you tell them?
“If you put me in a room with 30 other recruits, I am the one coming out of it. I hate losing more than I like winning. Winning does not come by accident, that is something that is earned because you work for it.”
Hogan, I appreciate your time today. Good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com a national site aiding in bringing exposure to amazing student-athletes!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credits: Pinnacle High School; No. 42 Hogan Hatten in action
Photo credit: EMB; No. 42 Hogan Hatten with the touchdown