Junior linebacker and starter Jason Hatcher has been officially dismissed from the Kentucky football team by Coach Mark Stoops for a violation of team rules. Hatcher was arrested early Monday morning in Franklin County, Kentucky on a variety of charges. They included speeding 11 miles over the limit, trafficking in marijuana (eight ounces to five pounds) first offense, tampering with physical evidence and the purchasing and possession of drug paraphernalia.
This is not the first time Hatcher has been in trouble while at Kentucky. He was suspended the first two games of the 2015 season for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
In May of 2014 Hatcher and Louisville receiver James Quick were cited for marijuana possession in Quick’s apartment on the UL campus. The charges were later dropped after Hatcher completed an education course.
When on the field Hatcher has been one of Mark Stoops’ best players. In the nine games he played last season he had 39 tackles, 5.5 for a loss and two interceptions. He was expected to help anchor a defense that loses four linebackers from last season who either started or played a great deal, Ryan Flannigan, Josh Forrest, Khalid Henderson and Jabari Johnson.
Hatcher was one of Stoops’ first big recruiting victories back in 2013 when the four star player committed to the Cats over Louisville, Southern Cal and others. Sadly it looks like his career at Kentucky will be more remembered for “what could have been.”
Hatcher’s mug shot courtesy of the Franklin County Jail.
