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COLLEGE: With the thought of bolstering their defensive front with big-bodied trench fighters, the Cowboys selected Jason Hatcher in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. Hatcher is a raw talent that has displayed the innate ability to become a physical end in the 3-4 scheme, despite playing end for just over two seasons - he started his collegiate career at tight end. In addition to his physical ability and speed, Hatcher has displayed the maturity of a seasoned veteran. He finished his career at Grambling with 111 tackles, 31.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 18.5 sacks. He also added three passes defensed, 14 quarterback pressures and blocked three kicks.
2005: Hatcher had an impressive senior season, helping lead the Tigers to a 10-1 record while racking up 65 tackles - with a season-high eight stops coming in three different contests. In the season opener against Alabama A&M, he posted seven stops, four tackles for losses and a season-high three sacks. At Washington State, he recorded five tackles, two tackles for a loss and one pass defensed. He tallied five tackles and another tackle for a loss and sack against Mississippi Valley State and then added six more stops and one tackle behind the line of scrimmage at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He notched a season-high eight tackles and one tackle for a loss along with recovering a fumble at Jackson State. He scooped up another fumble against Texas Southern while registering five tackles. At Alabama State, he matched his season-high eight stops and recorded two tackles behind the line and one sack along with blocking a kick. Against Concordia, he posted four tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. At Southern, he added eight more stops and three tackles behind the line and two sacks before closing out the season at Alcorn State with six stops, 1.5 tackles for a loss and one sack.
2004: As a junior, Hatcher played his first full season at defensive end and finished the year with 33 tackles, 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage and five sacks. Hatcher also contributed two blocked kicks and broke up one pass. Against Prairie View A&M, he had his best game of the year, recording eight stops, two tackles for a loss and a sack. Against Alcorn State, he had five tackles to go along with a sack before posting another five stops, including one for a loss against Alabama A&M. He had five more tackles, two stops behind the line and one sack against Mississippi Valley State.
2003: Hatcher started his sophomore year at tight end before making the switch to the defensive side of the ball. He earned the starting nod at tight end and caught one pass for 14 yards and a two-point conversion before moving to defensive end midway through the year. He finished the season with 13 tackles, three sacks and broke up one pass while eventually taking over the starting role.
2002: Hatcher was looking to make his collegiate debut but was granted a medical redshirt after rupturing the ACL in his right knee.
2001: Hatcher was ineligible as a true freshman due to NCAA academic requirements.
PERSONAL: Jason Dewayne Hatcher attended Jena, La., High School, where he lettered in both football and basketball. As a senior, he helped lead his team to a 10-3 record and earned All-State honors while catching 28 passes for 1,028 yards as a tight end. Against Belle Chase, he had his best game of his prep career, catching six passes for 211 yards. Hatcher was a physical education major at Grambling with hopes of becoming a head football coach. Hatcher and his wife, Natasha, have a son, DiCarlos (12/17/99) and a daughter, Tamia (5/14/03). | 