2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Hayden Hatcher, Edge, Kansas

• Name: Hayden Hatcher
• Position: Edge
• College: Kansas
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 240 lbs
• X (Twitter): @hhatcher17
• Instagram: @haymaker37_

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I enjoyed being able to play with emotion and tenacity. I didn’t get the chance to start until my senior year of high school so I felt I had a lot to prove. Football gave me an outlet to prove doubters wrong and use my athletic ability in a violent manner. I wanted to be a brother that my younger siblings Shelby and Wyatt could look up to. I wanted to be a son that my mom and dad could be proud of.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

Beating West Des Moines Valley as a senior for Lewis Central high school. Another favorite was getting to come back from a shoulder injury and beat Oklahoma this year on big noon kickoff. College Gameday against TCU in 2023 is up there also even though we didn’t get the win.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I want to make it in the NFL and be able to use my platform to help mentor the youth. I want to leave a lasting legacy based on my play, and how I helped others outside of football.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

DJ Gnader. DJ played linebacker for Northwest Missouri State. He passed a few years ago. He was a great friend and mentor. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him and his guidance.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My father has always inspired me. He grew up not having much, raised by a single mother in a house of 4 boys. He earned a scholarship to play baseball at Iowa, where he would be inducted into their athletics Hall of Fame. After a long professional career he worked extremely hard to change career paths and provide for my family.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I like a four down defensive scheme that allows the defensive line to set edges and get after the quarterback.

What should we know about Hayden Hatcher the person?

I am an avid outdoorsman. I grew up hunting and fishing on the Missouri River. I enjoy making GoPro videos while I’m bow fishing. I am also a fish keeper with three aquariums.

What stands out about your film the most?

I play with an extremely high motor no matter the circumstance. It could be a 5 am practice or College Gameday in front of a sold out crowd. I’m going to run full speed and give everything I have.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I believe a man is defined by how he handles adversity. I have handled adversity well and it has put me in this position. I believe in God’s plan and when preparation meets opportunity.

What would a team get in a player like you?

They would get a fast, sharp, hard-nosed kid from Iowa with a chip on his shoulder.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I love the violent nature. Getting to make contact and intimidate an opponent. Nothing compares to the feeling of adrenaline after the first couple hard hits.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Malcolm Lee is the most underrated player I’ve played with. We were teammates at Iowa Western Community College along with Kansas. Malcolm is a freak of nature and has an extremely high IQ. When he gets in his zone nobody can run to his side of the field.