PRIEST RIVER — Underneath a banner celebrating his 3A Central Idaho League Defensive Player of the Year 2025 award, Brady Hatten signed his letter of intent to continue his football career at Rocky Mountain College. 

At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Hatten was a force in the trenches for the Spartans on both sides of the ball last season. As a defensive tackle, Hatten recorded 50 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a team-high 5.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. On offense, Hatten collected a team-high 23 pancake blocks. 

Priest River Football head coach Alex Zepeda said Hatten was a staple at practice, always studying his playbook and super coachable. 

“My first year, he was a freshman, and so he was kind of my first kid that I got to coach all the way through and see him develop,” Zepeda said. "They’re getting someone that loves football, a great kid, someone that will commit his time to the program and fight toward the common goal. They’re getting a heck of a player for sure.” 

Rocky Mountain College, based out of Billings, Mont., offered Hatten in February, and he announced his initial commitment to the Battlin’ Bears in March. The Battlin’ Bears compete at the NAIA level, playing against regional stalwarts like College of Idaho, Carroll College and Montana Tech in Montana. 

Zepeda said Rocky Mountain College is getting a versatile player who can really move at his size. Hatten was a multi-sport star for Priest River, playing baseball and basketball in addition to his time on the football field. 

“When you have kids that are that big, they’re usually pretty stiff at the hips and at the knees, but he is very nimble on his feet. You watch him play basketball, and it’s like ‘How does a guy like that move that fast?’” Zepeda said. “I’ve watched him play baseball, and I’d be terrified if that guy is coming at me to slide, you know?” 

Hatten becomes the second football player in recent memory from Priest River Lamana High to make the jump to college level, with the last one being now-Washington State defensive end Matyus McLain. Zepeda said it’s one of his personal goals to send players to the next level and that he couldn’t be prouder of Hatten’s accomplishment. 

"I didn’t get the chance, personally, to play at the college level, so anytime you get a kid that gets to the next level, it’s a great feeling for me,” Zepeda said. “I can’t praise him enough, and I wish him nothing but the best of luck in the world. I’m definitely going to have to catch a game, even though it’s nine hours away.” 

Rocky Mountain College opens their season on Aug. 27 against the University of Mary in Glendive, Mont., under new head coach Randy Bandelow.