Mizzou Senior Feature: Rickey Hatley
9/20/2016 1:17:00 PM | Football
Texas native continues DLineZou tradition
Down the street, the neighborhood kids gather. Football is the favorite topic of conversation. After watching on Sundays, all the kids reminisce over their favorite players. That is how redshirt senior Rickey Hatley, or Slick Rick as he is affectionately known around Mizzou, developed his passion for football. Now as a starting defensive tackle for Mizzou Football, Hatley's dedication has paid off.
Raised in Atlanta, Texas, Hatley grew up in football culture. When Barry Odom, then Mizzou's safety coach and Hatley's lead recruiter, visited him in high school, Hatley knew that Mizzou was where he wanted to be.
"Everyone was real friendly, good family environment, good academic people," Hatley said. "The coaching staff caught my attention. It was my first and only visit."
After being on campus, Hatley realized that there was something special about Mizzou. He saw leadership that was unparalleled and he made the most of learning from who came before him. As for who influenced him the most, Hatley had a list.
"Shane Ray, Kony Ealy, Markus Golden. Waiting behind them, I just watched how they rushed the passer and how they worked hard and see how they were in the film room," Hatley said. "I asked them questions because I wanted to be like them and continue the path at Mizzou,"
Hatley's leadership style is very much reflective of what he learned from those players.
"I saw how they led and when they left I just wanted to be vocal," Hatley said. He also prides himself on leadership by example and his work ethic on and off the field.
On the field, Hatley has made a tremendous impression on the defensive line. In his career at Mizzou, Hatley has racked up 43 tackles and two sacks. Though he is a vital part of the defense, he knows there is still work to do.
"We practice lifting weights everyday. Everyone is getting bigger and getting their weight up. We are stronger and faster. We are recovering right and eating better. It is a lot of small stuff to help us," Hatley said.
With Odom as the new coach, Hatley and his team have been working harder than ever.
"(Practice) is really the hardest thing I have ever been through. So it is really going to pay off for us in the long run," Hatley said.
Hatley and the defensive line have big goals for the 2016 season.
"As a whole, we want to lead the SEC in tackles for loss and sacks and all that good stuff. I just want to lead the D-Line in TFLs and sacks and just lead the right way," Hatley said.
As for his favorite Mizzou memory, Hatley loves beating Texas A&M in 2013 to make it to the SEC Championship in Atlanta for the first time. Hatley remembers the moment when fans rushed Faurot Field.
"It was amazing. I had never been apart of something like that. When we beat Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel and everyone rushed the field. It was a real good time for me," Hatley said with a smile.
After his career at Mizzou ends, Hatley wants to continue with his passion for the sport.
"Hopefully the NFL of course, but if that does not work I want to be a sport agent. I have watched my cousin do that, even though he is just starting off," Hatley said.
Hatley has made an undeniable impact while at Mizzou. His presence is known on and off the field. When asked about his time on the team as a whole, Hatley flashed a big smile and laughed.
"Great. Great time. It has really flown by. I didn't realize how fast it would be. Coming in and meeting everyone my first day to now…a lot of people. Just a whole bunch of memories. Friends for life," Hatley said.
