FAYETTEVILLE - It didn’t take Keon Hatcher long to move up Arkansas’ depth chart.
Hatcher was impressive enough at Rutgers last week after missing the previous two games because of a hamstring injury that the sophomore wide receiver from Owasso, Okla., is listed as a starter tonight when the Razorbacks play No. 10 Texas A&M at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
If the Razorbacks open in a package that includes Hatcher, it will be his first career start.
“We definitely want to get him involved in the game plan,” Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema said. “We weren’t sure how he was going to survive or show up on game day [last week], and he was ready to roll.”
Hatcher led the Razorbacks with 4 catches for 45 yards at Rutgers, had 2 carries for 19 yards and returned 2 kickoffs for 38 yards.
“Best game as a Razorback, yes sir,” Hatcher said. “During practice last week I did feel a little bit rusty, but when we got to game time that game mode clicked in and I felt great.”
“He was ahead of where I thought he would be,” offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. “He just needs to keep getting on the field and playing.”
Hatcher said he’s not sure why the coaches involved him in the running game, but he’s glad they did.
“I love it,” he said. “Any way for me to get my hands on the ball, I’m down to do it.”
Hatcher is 6-2 and 210 pounds, and Arkansas’ coaches said they like his size and physical running style.
“He’s a big, strong guy and he can carry the ball like a running back,” Chaney said. “I feel comfortable handing him the ball without having to worry about any physical adjustments on his part.”
Senior fullback Kiero Small, a team captain, said he appreciates the additional toughness Hatcher brings to the offense.
“He runs it hard, and then when he knows he’s going to be tackled he’ll put his head down and gets some extra yards,” Small said. “That’s really impressive.”
Hatcher said he doesn’t mind contact. In fact, he welcomes it.
“I like being physical on offense,” he said. “My mindset when I’m blocking, I’m like a defensive player. I want to go hit somebody. I like to hit, period.”
Hatcher might have won a starting job in fall camp if he hadn’t strained a hamstring that caused him to miss several practices. He returned for the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette, then aggravated the hamstring making a catch for a 27-yard gain.
“Going back to last spring he’s definitely a player who was very productive,” Bielema said. “We were really excited about him going into fall camp. He didn’t do anything to change our mind.”
Receivers coach Michael Smith said Hatcher rehabbed hard to make sure he could return to the lineup as quickly as possible.
“He fought back and last week he played with a lot of juice,” Smith said. “He’s a heck of a wide receiver. He can catch the ball, he’s got good size, good speed, runs good routes.
“Keon’s attitude is what I like about him more than anything. He loves to play the game. He comes to practice every day to go to work and shows up on game day, like he did this past week, ready to go to work.
“When you’ve got a guy like that on your offensive unit, a lot of guys gravitate towards that. He’s not waiting for somebody else to make a play.”
Chaney said it’s a big plus to call plays with Hatcher on the field.
“This kid has got a passion for the game of football and a talent level that’s very high, and a skill set that we need,” Chaney said. “Any time you add somebody like that to your offense, I’m happy as a pig in poop.”
Hatcher played in 10 games last season but had just 3 catches for 21 yards and 1 touchdown. It might have been better for him to redshirt.
“Stuff like that happens,” Hatcher said. “I didn’t get redshirted, but the time I did get out there was great experience for me. So some parts of me wish I did redshirt and some parts wish I didn’t, but, hey, you can’t change it.”
Sports, Pages 25 on 09/28/2013