Texas Tech sophomore place kicker Clayton Hatfield was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team on Wednesday in a vote of media members who regularly cover the conference.
Hatfield, who was the lone placekicker selected to the preseason team, returns for his sophomore season after an impressive debut where he finished 53-for-54 on extra-points and 14-for-16 on field goal attempts.
Hatfield was one of the most accurate kickers in the country in 2015 as he ended the year ranked seventh nationally with an 87.5 field-goal percentage, a mark that led all Big 12 kickers. Both of his missed attempts came outside 40 yards where he was 3-for-5 overall which included a career long 51-yarder in the regular-season finale at Texas.
A member of the Lou Groza Award watch list, Hatfield is one of just 10 returning kickers in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who return after making at least 85 percent of their field goal attempts. He is the only such returner in the Big 12.
Hatfield was an honorable mention selection to the postseason All-Big 12 teams as well as a member of ESPN’s All-Big 12 Underclassmen team. The San Antonio Express-News also honored him on the All-Big 12 second team.
The unveiling of the All-Big 12 preseason team comes just days before the Red Raiders descend on Dallas for Big 12 Media Days next Monday at the Omni Hotel. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury as well senior offensive lineman Baylen Brown, junior quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and senior defensive back Justis Nelson will represent the Red Raiders in Dallas.
Texas Tech opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3 when Stephen F. Austin arrives at Jones AT&T Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff on FOX Sports Net. Season tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the Texas Tech Ticket Office website or by calling 806-742-TECH.
(COURTESY: Texas Tech Sports Information Department)
