Douglas High graduate Gabe Hatchett has been picked up by the Miami Dolphins, becoming the first former Tiger in quite some time to get a shot at the NFL.
Hatchett received a call from his agent Kevin Van Ry about 40 minutes after the 2007 entry draft ended Sunday afternoon.
"It was good I got a call so fast," Hatchett said in a phone interview Monday. "There are guys still waiting today to hear from someone. It was a nerve-wracking weekend, no doubt. It was hard waiting to see what would happen.
Dolphins scouting coordinator Adam Engroff called shortly after Hatchett heard from his agent, and the Dolphin's receivers coach, Terry Robiskie, called before the evening was out.
"He just said he was excited to have me come to camp," Hatchett said.
Shortly after the Dolphins called, the Philadelphia Eagles contacted Hatchett's agent, but he was already committed. He was set to work out the particulars of his contract Monday afternoon.
"Miami really liked me from the start," Hatchett said. "They were talking to me from the beginning of this process."
He'll fly to Miami for a mini-camp beginning Thursday. The Dolphins' coaching staff already sent an overnight package containing his playbook, plane tickets and itinerary for the week.
"I was very happy to end up with Miami," he said. "It's a great location and it's a great operation. They only drafted one receiver (first-round pick Ted Ginn, Jr., out of Ohio State), so I have a better shot of staying with the team. I'll play wherever they want me to play.
"I've got a couple days now to get a grasp on what they expect of me. I can't wait to get there and just play some football."
Hatchett, 6-1, 217 pounds, joins a receiving corps that includes Marty Booker, Chris Chambers, Marcus Vick and Derek Hagan. Miami added Kelly Campbell, Az-Zahir Hakim and Kelly Campbell during the free-agent signing period this spring.
Miami is under new leadership as first-year coach Cam Cameron takes the helm after engineering the potent San Diego Charger offense for the last five seasons.
He took four offensive players with his first four picks of the draft this weekend,
headlined by Ginn Jr., BYU quarterback John Beck, Hawaii center Samson Satele and Florida State running back Lorenzo Booker.
"Every kid dreams about playing in the NFL," Hatchett said. "The thing is nobody every really thinks about the stuff in between. It's a long road and it's been a lot of hard work. It was a big relief hearing my phone ring Sunday afternoon."
Hatchett finished up his college career at Southern Oregon. He was one of the top-rated prospects in the NAIA. At Douglas he set receiving records for career receptions and receiving yards, both of which have since been passed by Andy McIntosh who currently plays for the Nevada Wolf Pack.
