The college football season in Texas starts a week earlier than normal with a Week 0 matchup between North Texas and UTEP. To celebrate us making it through another off-season, we’re counting down the 50 most important players in Texas every day until Aug. 27. The list isn’t necessarily about which players are the best, though talent plays a major factor in most important. 

No. 40: Layne Hatcher, Texas State junior quarterback  

The History 

Hatcher, who arrived at Texas State from Arkansas State in the spring semester, was a three-year starter at Pulaski Academy in Arkansas. He’d leave the state’s all-time leader in passing yards with 15,483 and touchdowns with 185. The three-star recruit was the Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year as a senior and posted a 41-1 career record. Hatcher was also a four-time state champion in wrestling and rose to as high as fifth-ranked in the nation. 

Hatcher took a redshirt at Alabama in 2018 before transferring closer to home at Arkansas State. He’d make 32 starts in the Sun Belt over the next three seasons. He ended his career there with 7,427 yards and 65 starts. Hatcher was ranked in the top five in the Sun Belt last year in completions, pass attempts, passing touchdowns, passing yards, and total offense. He was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt in 2020 and the conference’s Freshman of the Year in 2019. 

The Skillset

Those familiar with recent familiarity to G5 football in Texas might see similarities between Hatcher and former North Texas signal caller Mason Fine. Both were prolific prep passers who are a bit undersized. They win with accuracy, timing, and decision making. Hatcher brings a ton of experience to Texas State with three-plus seasons of starting at quarterback in the same conference he’s in at Texas State. He doesn’t possess the biggest arm or the quickest feet, but he's a gamer with a history of winning big games. 

The Impact

It is no secret that Texas State and head coach Jake Spavital are reaching critical years in which the university must decide the future direction of the program. The Bobcats need to reach a bowl game in 2022, and Hatcher arrives as an instant upgrade at quarterback if he wins the job as expected. He’s in a battle with Ty Evans heading into August, but Hatcher holds the experience edge and that might be enough for a coach who knows winning now is important. Hatcher gives the Bobcats the best chance in 2022 and a solid passing attack could be the difference between four wins in 2021 and a bowl bid in 2022. 

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