Road to the Draft: Keon Hatcher
The NFL Draft marks another exciting opportunity for us to welcome members into the NFLPA family. Leading up to this year’s draft in Philadelphia on April 27-29, we chopped it up with a handful of the prospects. Today, we get to know Arkansas wide receiver Keon Hatcher .
After a foot injury cut his 2015 season short, Keon Hatcher vowed to come back strong for his final campaign. The Collegiate Bowl participant did just that in 2016 as a steady playmaker before going out with a bang. In his final college game, Hatcher caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown for the Razorbacks, giving NFL scouts another reason to take notice of the physical wideout.
THE FILE
Height: 6-1
Weight: 212
Caught at least one pass in each of his last 31 college games, a streak that dated back to 2013
What have you been doing to prepare for the NFL?
I’ve been back at school since the combine, training with my college teammates. I’ve just been trying to get mind wrapped around what’s coming with this next step. It’s a business now. I’ve got to be on point each and every day. My thinking is, you’ve just got to get your foot in the door and you’ll be good.
What do you think separates you from other NFL prospects?
My competitiveness. I bring a dog mentality to the receiver position. I love blocking just as much as I love making big plays, so teams can use me in various positions.
What’s your typical pregame meal?
I eat a lot of fruit. I can’t eat a lot of heavy food before games. So I eat things like pineapples, honeydew, watermelon, just to help me stay hydrated.
What’s on your gameday playlist?
I’ll give you some names. I listen to Kodak, Lucci, Mazi, guys like that who get my mind right for the game.
How would you describe your fashion off the field?
I’m a pretty cool, low-key guy, so I rock sweats a lot. But I can still get fresh when I need to and you’re definitely going to take notice.
Now for a few random questions. When you see a yellow light, do you keep going or slow down?
If it’s close, I usually keep going, to be honest.
If you could go back in history and find out the truth about one thing, what would it be?
I would want to know what happened with the Rockefeller family. Those were some rich, powerful people, so I want to know what was behind all of that and how they really got to that point.
Which team do you think is going to win the NBA Finals?
The Cavs. With LeBron – come on, man – you’ve got to go with King James. He’s been to the Finals, what, six straight years. That’s crazy.
If you could send out one last message to NFL teams before the draft, what would it be?
Come get me. You won’t regret it.