The BC Lions announced on Monday they have resigned star receiver Keon Hatcher through 2026. Hatcher was slated to become a free agent this offseason had a contract not been signed.
“British Columbia is my football home. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help finish what we’ve started with this excellent group of players and coaches,” stated Hatcher. “Last year didn’t end the way I wanted, but my recovery and rehab are on schedule and I’m very hopeful to be back on the field in 2024.”
Hatcher dominated this past season as he had 78 receptions for 1,226 yards and 6 touchdowns over 16 regular season games. Hatcher and quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. exemplified a high level of chemistry as passes frequently found Hatcher’s hands just before his route took him out of bounds.
Hatcher had a spectacular performance in the Western Semi-Final against Calgary as he caught 9 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he would suffer an Achilles injury that would take him out of the game in the Western Final loss against Winnipeg during the Lions’ second drive of the game. Despite only recording a catch in 1 playoff game, Hatcher would be first in receiving yards in the CFL postseason.
Hatcher was named a CFL All-Star last season. He also had the 2nd highest Pro Football Focus receiving grade among receivers.
Hatcher played his collegiate ball with Arkansas where he played in 47 games with 28 starts. He had 130 receptions for 1,866 yards and 19 touchdowns with the Razorbacks. In his final year in the NCAA, he played in 12 games with 8 starts contributing 44 receptions for 743 yards and 8 touchdowns.
He signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. From 2017 to 2020 he spent time in the NFL with the Raiders, Lions, Packers, and Jets primarily on practice squads. He played in 3 games with Oakland recording 1 reception for 8 yards in 2018.
Hatcher joined the Lions in 2021. He has since appeared in 41 CFL regular season games contributing 165 catches for 2,483 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has had over 1,000 yards in each of his last 2 seasons.
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Jonathan ClinkReporter
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes.
He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter.
Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton.
Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
