After being the starting left tackle for three straight seasons (39 straight games) and receiving All-Pac-12 honorable mention for the 2012 and 2013 seasons at the University of Washington, Micha Hatchie is ready to begin his journey toward playing in the NFL. He took a step in that direction by participating in the Collegiate Bowl for the American team in Carson, California.
Hatchie (listed at 6’5”, 306 pounds), whose hometown is Haleiwa, Hawaii, talked to Pro Player Insiders’ Emma Roll about coming in to practice this week with new coaches and players, and developing relationships with them.
“The first day when we came in, it was weird not knowing who the other guys were,” said Hatchie. “We only knew a handful, but going through the day, becoming friends with everybody, we all became a little closer. Today we were a lot more closer, especially on the field. My o-line group, we were all together talking way more than we did yesterday, laughing, joking, having fun, and that just feels like camaradarie.”
Hatchie is hoping to capitalize on the tutelage of offensive line coaches with experience as players in the NFL such as Steve Hutchinson and Keith Gilbertson for the American team.
“It’s very interesting, and it’s a great opportunity to find out what they have to teach us,” said Hatchie. “What they’ve learned through the years coaching, just getting all this experience from them.”
The young offensive lineman will took to train for the draft after Saturday’s game, but will first select an agent who will determine the best place to prepare for the draft process. Off the field, Hatchie says he wears shorts and slippers due to his time in the warm climate in Seattle, even when it is raining, and also has a great choice in terms of where he would travel if he had an opportunity to go anywhere.
“This past summer, I went to Tahiti,” said Hatchie. “I got to spend some time with family down there and got to do a little community service with the schools. I probably want to go back to Tahiti.”
Hatchie said his nickname is his last name or “Hatch”, his favorite color is red, and that he likes to listen to Hawaiian style music or Reggae, and joked when asked if he sings to it “that’s for me to know and you to find out”. But the fact that Hatchie can definitely contribute on an NFL offensive line, as evidenced by his experience playing at the blind side tackle position for three successive years at a high level.
About the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is a premiere post-season all-star game for draft-eligible college players. The week-long schedule provides participants with a first-class professional experience while introducing them to the business of the National Football League.
Founded in 2012, the annual game gives prospective NFL players the best opportunity to showcase their talents to potential employers and fans. In 2013, scouts from every NFL club and other professional leagues attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl’s practices and game. Nearly 100 scouts not only watched the live practices and game but also conducted player interviews and reviewed tape. Peak television ratings for the 2013 game surpassed the East-West Shrine game and bested the Senior Bowl in overall impressions.
