Hogan Hatten's Former Teammate: Lions Got 'Best' Snapper in NFL

Lions have reportedly made a decision at long-snapper.
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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One of the tightest position battles throughout Detroit Lions training camp involved the long snapper position.

Scott Daly, who replaced Don Muhlbach back in 2021, has reportedly been notified he will be released. The veteran worked his back this year after suffering a knee injury in 2023.

Hogan Hatten, who went undrafted this year, will now take over the position. Detroit's coaching staff likely saw the value the athletic long snapper can also bring in coverage situations.

“One of the reasons we wanted to bring Hogan in was, he was intriguing in his coverage ability," said Dan Campbell, when discussing the close battle with Daly. "He did play linebacker in college, so he runs pretty good, and he kind of has an awareness on the football. You saw he played some defensive snaps for us, a couple. We needed him in there with where we were at at linebacker to finish the game out. So, that’s what he’s got.”

Idaho's former kicker/punter Logan Prescott shared, "Detroit got the best snapper in the league," after discovering Hatten had made the team.

Prescott also shared with Lions On SI that Hatten has showcased "dedication to the craft. Hogan came in to Idaho as a linebacker and was in the starting rotation early. He snapped because he was a natural and once he took the starting spot he never gave it back. His ability to cover, break down, and make the play on punts is an advantage most teams don’t have. He’s an athlete, through and through."

Now, the next step in Hatten's career is proving he can execute and remain steady under pressure.

Detroit can ill afford errant snaps on critical punts or field goals in a pressure packed season with extremely high expectations.

Additional reading

1.) Lions Release WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

2.) Lions 'Eyes Are Open' to DJ Reader Playing against Rams

3.) Lions Not Yet Ready to Name Official Backup Quarterback

4.) Roundtable: Lions Player Likely to Get Claimed by Other NFL Team


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John Maakaron

JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!