4. Matthan Hatchie
Offensive lineman | UT-Martin Skyhawks | 6’2″ 310 pounds
He was UT-Martin’s biggest star heading into the year, and he’s lived up to the hype. Matthan Hatchie was an FCS preseason All-American center. He joined the Skyhawks as a transfer from Garden City Community College back in 2020, and a year later, he exploded onto the scene.
UT-Martin’s rushing attack speaks for itself. With Hatchie anchoring the middle of the line, Zak Wallace has 602 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging over five and a half yards a carry. Sam Franklin has 402 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 12.7 yards per carry. As a team, they are averaging nearly six and a half yards per carry.
In the passing game, they have given up only two sacks all year. This is all a testament to the line as a whole, but Hatchie is the most important player of that group, so he gets the nod on this list over even the running backs, Wallace and Franklin. He has Power Five talent easily.
Hatchie will be a huge test for Tennessee football’s interior line. Omari Thomas has been a star defensive tackle for the Vols, and the best way for them to control this game early is take advantage of the big differences on the line typical of SEC vs. FCS teams. However, Hatchie isn’t your typical FCS lineman, so UT has to prepare for him.