Welcome to the 2022 FCS Jersey Countdown.
Leading up to Week 0 games on Aug. 27, HERO Sports will name the best returning FCS player by jersey number, 99-0. Due to rosters being updated at different times for teams across the country and to keep things consistent, jersey numbers are based on last season’s rosters.
The 99-0 countdown central page can be found here.
Note: Jersey numbers are based on 2021 rosters.
80: Hayden Hatten, WR (Jr.) — Idaho
Hatten is a big target with tremendous hands for the Vandals. The three-star high school recruit from Scottsdale, Arizona, had offers from San Diego, Nevada, Louisville, Columbia, Army, Brown, and Idaho. His talent was on full display during the spring in just his second season of college ball.
As a true sophomore, Hatten caught 43 passes for 613 yards and three touchdowns in only six games. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder earned All-Big Sky Conference First Team honors and was named a HERO Sports Sophomore All-American.
Hatten was ready to put up a 1,000-yard receiving season last fall. But injuries kept him sidelined, appearing sporadically in two games in September, one game in October, and one game in November. In those four contests, he recorded 15 receptions for 215 yards and three TDs. He shined against FBS Indiana, catching 10 passes for 94 yards and two scores.
Idaho has lacked offensive explosion over the last few seasons. The Vandals averaged 26.09 points per game in 2019, 23.33 PPG in the spring, and 25.36 PPG last fall to rank No. 60 in the FCS. A change was needed, and they hired Jason Eck as their new head coach this offseason.
Eck was a creative offensive coordinator for FCS power South Dakota State. He brings a new level of enthusiasm to an Idaho team still trying to find success in its second stint as an FCS program. If Hatten can stay healthy and with a more dynamic offensive scheme, he has the potential to be a nationally-recognized receiver.
