Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Football: Offensive lineman Tommy Hatton announces retirement

By Zack Pearson

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 18: A general view as the sun sets during the game between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 18: A general view as the sun sets during the game between the Western Carolina Catamounts and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

UNC OL Tommy Hatton officially announces his retirement from football

One of the units that really struggled for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2017 was the offensive line.

Despite having some experience, the depth just wasn’t there for the Tar Heels’ line. Now, going into 2018 it will become an even bigger question mark.

Redshirt sophomore Tommy Hatton delivered the news Wednesday night that he is retiring from football.

Hatton posted a message via his Instagram account, announcing his retirement due to medical issues that are related to multiple concussions he has suffered.

Here is that post:

Going into the 2017 season, Hatton was considered a significant piece to UNC’s offensive line after playing nine games in 2016, starting eight of them.

He suffered a concussion in training camp last August which forced him to be hospitalized. It was the fourth concussion Hatton has suffered.

Hatton didn’t play a game in 2017 after spending Spring Football and training camp working at left guard.

And now his career with UNC is over.

The composite four-star recruit was the No. 4 player overall in the state of New Jersey and was considered one of the better pass blockers in his class.

Hatton started his redshirt freshman season at right guard for the Tar Heels in their opener against Georgia. He earned the ACC Offensive Lineman and Rookie of the Week honors against Virginia in 2016.

The departure of Hatton leaves another big question mark on UNC’s line for 2018 and opens up another spot for some more competition. The Tar Heels will lose four starters on the line due to graduation.

Next: Julius Peppers has a big decision to make

We will very likely see an young, inexperienced offensive line put together when the Tar Heels visit Cal in the 2018 season opener.

Home/UNC Football