Texas A&M monitoring breakout senior QB PJ Hatter

2023 Spring (Tex.) Westfield quarterback PJ Hatter is emerging on the radar as a senior after leading the Mustangs to a 6-1 start to the season and an offense that’s averaging over 44.7 points per game.

“We’re just trying to stay focused and take it one game at a time,” he said. “Treat every game like a big game, so we’re playing these teams and we’re trying to keep putting up stats, keep putting up big numbers so people know that we’re still one of the best.”

Though he’s seen his game ascend to a new level under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Stephen Hill at Westfield, Hatter didn’t come out of nowhere.

He made waves in his first varsity appearance at Klein (Tex.) Oak as a sophomore in 2020, a playoff game against Cypress (Tex.) Ranch, rotating in at quarterback. He rushed 14 times for 168 yards and four touchdowns. As a junior, he stepped into the starting quarterback role and threw for 1,538 yards and 18 touchdowns, with 1,231 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing in eleven games. However, he suffered a torn ACL late in the season and was unable to participate in offseason tournaments or college camps and though schools were interested, because they were unable to see him in person, did not offer him.

Now, a senior at Spring (Tex.) Westfield, Hatter has developed as a passer and through seven games, has thrown for 1,852 yards and 27 touchdowns, to just two interceptions, along with 352 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

He’s just getting back to full-form athletically and is beginning to unlock his legs. He had his best day rushing on Thursday, totaling seven carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a 64-0 win.

“I’m 100% now,” he said. “I feel way better running, I feel way stronger, way faster. Everything’s feeling better.”

Texas A&M has been monitoring for some time, but have picked up their pursuit in recent months. The staff had an eye on the ultra-athletic quarterback since the spring. Though still recovering from his injury, he camped in front of Jimbo Fisher and Darrell Dickey and impressed enough that the Aggies have remained in contact.

“We just stay in contact,” he said. “Coach Dickey still texts me everyday, he still call me everyday we’ve just been staying any contact.”

Jimbo Fisher has stayed in contact as well, and has liked what he’s seen from the senior thus far this season.

“I talked to Coach Fisher, he talked to me, he liked me,” Hatter said. “He just wants to keep seeing me do good. Go deep in the playoffs and keep working. He wants to see me continue to be great.”

It’s hard not to be intrigued by Hatter’s performance thus far this season, but the staff wants to see more. No matter, Hatter’s staying patient and has a feeling when an offer could arrive.

“They just they just want to keep seeing me play,” he said. “When we get deep in playoffs, that’s when I feel like they’re going to pull the trigger on me.”

The senior had a chance to interact with the staff in person once again last month, when he visited for the Aggies’ 17-9 win over Miami. He took in Texas A&M’s win from the stands, along with over 107,000 fans, and was impressed with the Kyle Field environment.

“It’s not anything like it,” he said. “The stands when it’s packed out and it’s loud, it’s amazing up there. It’s too loud, I love that.”

He’s trained with Texas A&M freshman quarterback Conner Weigman in the past, and was able to connect with him while in College Station. Weigman offered some introspection into life in the program.

“He’s just telling me it’s a process, you got to work hard, everyday,” he said. “They’re not going to give it to you, so you got to work hard.”

Outside of Texas A&M, Houston and TCU are two schools staying in contact and keeping a close eye on Hatter. Ole Miss and Ohio have been in touch as well. The senior’s goal is to lead his team to state, and if the Mustangs continue to roll, his recruitment could blow up in a big way.