Hogan Hatten Bio
Hogan Hatten is an American professional football long snapper for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 6, 2000, in Scottsdale, Arizona, he had a notable college football career with the Idaho Vandals, where he showcased his versatility playing as both a linebacker and a long snapper. Hatten went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft but quickly earned a spot on the Lions’ roster and secured the starting long snapper position, demonstrating his skill as one of only a few players from Idaho actively competing in the NFL.
Early Life and Background
Hatten grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he attended Saguaro High School. During his time at Saguaro, he developed his football skills as a two-way player. Coming out of high school, Hatten and his identical twin brother Hayden initially committed to play college football for the Brown Bears. The twins would later flip their commitment to continue their football careers together at the University of Idaho.
Path to American Football
Hatten enrolled at the University of Idaho in 2019 and began his five-year collegiate career with the Idaho Vandals. He quickly established himself as a versatile player, contributing on both defense and special teams. Throughout his college tenure, Hatten played in 49 games, recording 92 tackles with six and a half tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass deflection, and one safety. Most impressively, he recorded all perfect snaps throughout his entire college career as the team’s long snapper, showcasing exceptional consistency and precision.
Hogan Hatten Career
College Career (2019–2023)
During his five years at Idaho, Hatten balanced his responsibilities as both a linebacker and the team’s long snapper. His defensive contributions included 92 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks across 49 games played. His reliability as a long snapper became his standout trait, as he maintained a perfect record on all snapping duties throughout his collegiate career. This combination of defensive production and special teams excellence made him an attractive prospect for NFL teams despite going undrafted.
Detroit Lions Breakthrough (2024)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Hatten signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. Throughout training camp, he competed against incumbent long snapper Scott Daly for the starting position. On August 26, 2024, Hatten was informed that he had won the starting job, becoming one of only three undrafted free agents to make the Lions’ initial 53-man roster that season. Hatten became one of four former Idaho Vandals actively playing in the NFL as of the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
Hatten quickly proved his worth to the Detroit Lions organization during his rookie season. In the 2024 NFL regular season, he was tied for the most tackles made by long snappers with five, demonstrating his ability to contribute in run defense beyond his primary snapping duties. His performance earned him recognition as a reliable special teams player, and he secured the starting long snapper role heading into the 2025 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hatten’s value to the Detroit Lions stems from his consistency and precision as a long snapper. His perfect snapping record in college translated successfully to the NFL level, providing reliable service for punts, field goals, and extra points. Beyond his primary role, Hatten showed versatility by contributing tackler statistics among the league’s top long snappers during his rookie season. His experience playing linebacker in college gave him a physical edge and football instincts that benefit his special teams work.
Notable Events and Milestones
Making the Lions’ roster as an undrafted free agent represented a significant achievement for Hatten. Outperforming incumbent Scott Daly during training camp demonstrated his readiness for NFL competition. Being one of only three UDFAs to make Detroit’s initial roster highlighted the exceptional nature of his camp performance and the coaches’ confidence in his abilities.
Hogan Hatten Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Hatten has established himself as a reliable starting long snapper in the NFL while contributing on special teams and defense.
Professional Career Highlights
In his first two seasons with the Detroit Lions through 2025, Hatten has appeared in 34 games as the team’s starting long snapper. His most notable professional achievement came in 2025 when he earned PFF Second-team All-Pro honors, recognizing him as one of the top long snappers in the league. During the 2024 season, he tied for the league lead in tackles among long snappers with five stops.
Defensive Contributions
While primarily known for his special teams excellence, Hatten has contributed defensively with seven total tackles across his first two NFL seasons. His ability to make plays on coverage units adds value beyond his primary long-snapping responsibilities.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Tackles | Starting Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2024–2025) | 34 | 7 | 34 |
Hogan Hatten Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hatten comes from a football family with strong athletic ties. His identical twin brother, Hayden Hatten, followed a similar football path and played alongside Hogan at both the high school and college levels at Idaho. The twins’ shared journey through football has been a defining aspect of their lives. Hatten is of Mexican descent through his mother, adding to the diverse background of the Hatten family.
Personal Life
Growing up as an identical twin shaped Hatten’s football experience, as he and his brother Hayden consistently played together from youth football through college. Their decision to flip their commitment from Brown to Idaho allowed them to continue their partnership at the collegiate level. Hatten’s work ethic and dedication to perfecting his craft, particularly his long snapping technique, reflect his commitment to reaching the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a breakout year for Hatten with the Detroit Lions. Building on his solid rookie campaign, he earned PFF Second-team All-Pro recognition, establishing himself among the league’s elite long snappers. His 34 games of experience through the 2025 season provided him with the consistency and confidence that NFL teams require from their special teams players. The Lions’ coaching staff continued to rely on Hatten’s reliability in all snapping situations, from field goals to punts to extra points. His improved tackle numbers and All-Pro recognition suggest a player continuing to develop his craft and increase his value to the franchise. Looking ahead, Hatten appears positioned to remain a key component of Detroit’s special teams units for the foreseeable future.
