Anonymity is considerably of a blessing for lengthy snappers. If individuals know the identify of the lengthy snapper on the group, it’s often as a result of the participant drew consideration to themselves as a result of a foul snap in a crucial second. The place is the least thought of position in soccer, however some of the necessary on the similar time. A constant and dependable lengthy snapper is a crucial position for the particular groups unit.
On our subsequent 2025 Detroit Lions roster preview, let’s talk about lengthy snapper Hogan Hatten.
Earlier previews: QB Jared Goff, QB Hendon Hooker, RB Sione Vaki, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Jameson Williams, WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta, OL Colby Sorsdal, OT Giovanni Manu, OT Penei Sewell, G Graham Glasgow, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Brodric Martin, DL Pat O’Connor, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB Grant Stuard, CB Ennis Rakestraw, CB Terrion Arnold, DB Brian Department, Okay Jake Bates
Hogan Hatten
Expectations heading into 2024
Hatten was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Idaho and lots of anticipated him to be an additional physique for coaching camp and the preseason. On the time, Detroit had Scott Daly as their lengthy snapper for the previous three seasons and it didn’t appear to be there’d be a lot competitors for that spot.
As coaching camp progressed into the preseason, Hatten started to surpass Daly on the depth chart. Not solely had been his snaps excellent, however he did one thing that only a few lengthy snappers within the league do: play a number of positions. In Detroit’s first preseason sport of 2024 towards the Giants, he took some reps as a reserve linebacker and recorded two tackles. Hatten was the beginning MIKE linebacker whereas additionally taking over snapping duties at Idaho.
Precise position in 2024
17 video games (17 begins) — 143 particular groups snapsStats: 5 tackles, 0 botched snapsPFF particular groups grade: 62.6
Hatten meshed completely with fellow new Lion Jake Bates and veteran Jack Fox. He was as dependable as he may very well be, not botching a single snap on any of Bates’ 55 kicks or Fox’s 45 punts.
His defensive skills are obtrusive on the punt group as properly, as he tied for essentially the most tackles by a protracted snapper in 2024 with 5 complete. On punt protection, his job after finishing the snap is to e book it downfield and hopefully be one of many first guys to the returner alongside the gunners. Hatten’s linebacker expertise helped him be a key contributor for among the finest particular groups models within the league.
When requested about Fox as a holder, particular groups coordinator Dave Fipp made positive to provide Hatten credit score the place credit score is due:
“I can even say yet one more time, the snapper is essential in the entire thing and when the man rips the ball again there like our man does and it’s a decent spiral, very, very catchable ball with numerous velocity and will get in your hand fast and simply sticks, I believe it’s like quarterback, a few of these guys the best way they throw the ball, it simply tends to stay in these guys palms. So, the best way he throws the ball, Hoga again there to Fox actually helps clearly.”
In an interview from November with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Hatten spoke on his consistency along with his snaps:
“…I’ve but to have really a foul snap in a sport in my whole life. I believe I’ve at all times been a reasonably assured dude within the phrases that I’ve simply sat and went, ‘Hey, I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.’”
Outlook for 2025
On condition that the Lions didn’t herald one other lengthy snapper in the course of the offseason, it’s secure to say that this workers has full religion in Hatten being their lengthy snapper for at the least the following season.
Hatten does precisely what is anticipated of him in each sport and it helps that he may leap in at linebacker in a pinch. The coaches communicate extremely of him and he has already constructed a powerful relationship with Fox and Bates. If issues work out, this may very well be Detroit’s particular groups unit for a very long time.
