Matt Hazel

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Matt Hazel

| image = File:Matt Hazel Washington Redskins Training Camp 2017-07-31 .jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Hazel with the Washington Redskins in 2017

| current_team =

| number = 83, 14

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|1|23}}

| birth_place = North Augusta, South Carolina, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lbs = 195

| high_school = North Augusta (SC)

| college = Coastal Carolina

| draftyear = 2014

| draftround = 6

| draftpick = 190

| pastteams =

Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2015}})
Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})*
Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2017}})
Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2017}})
Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|2018}})
Winnipeg Blue Bombers ({{CFL Year|2019}})*
Lazio Ducks (2021-2022)

| highlights =

2× First-team All-Big South (2012, 2013)
Second-team All-Big South (2011)

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 1

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 1

| pfr = HazeMa01

}}

Matt Hazel (born January 23, 1992){{cite web | title=Hazel Rotoworld Profile | work=rotoworld.com | url=http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9688/matt-hazel }} is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Coastal Carolina University. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Early life

A native of North Augusta, South Carolina, Hazel attended North Augusta High School where he recorded 75 catches, 1,193 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns as a senior while leading North Augusta to the second round of the playoffs.

He was rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.[https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Matt-Hazel-102730 Matt Hazel – Yahoo Sports]

College career

Hazel attended Coastal Carolina University from 2010 to 2013, where he was a member of the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team. As a true freshman in 2010, he played 11 games (three starts) and caught 20 balls for 276 yards and five touchdowns. In 2011, he started 9 of 11 games, with 32 catches for 488 yards and six touchdowns. He started all 13 games in 2012 and posted 61 catches for 799 yards and eight touchdowns, and was named a first-team All-Big South selection. He started all 14 games in 2013, producing 70 catches for 990 yards and nine touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big South honors for the second year in a row.

He set several Coastal Carolina career and single-season records. His 183 career receptions, and 70 receptions in 2013, are both CCU records. His 2,553 career receiving yards and 28 career receiving touchdowns are both second in CCU history. He was the third player in school history to participate in the East-West Shrine Game,{{cite web | title=Matt Hazel Accepts Invitation to East-West Shrine Game | website=Coastal Carolina University Athletics | date=2014-01-01 | url=https://goccusports.com/news/2014/1/1/Matt_Hazel_Accepts_Invitation_to_East_West_Shrine_Game | access-date=2025-05-17}} joining Jerome Simpson and Josh Norman.

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1

| weight = 198

| dash = 4.50

| ten split =

| twenty split =

| shuttle = 4.20

| cone drill = 7.08

| vertical = 36.5

| broad ft = 9

| broad in = 10

| bench = 15

| arm span = 31+3/8

| hand span = 9+1/8

| wonderlic =

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matthew-hazel/32194841-5a15-8147-c444-e533bc5bf54c |title=Matthew Hazel Combine Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=July 29, 2020}}

}}

=Miami Dolphins=

Hazel was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[http://www.goccusports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051014aac.html Matt Hazel Drafted by Miami Dolphins in Sixth Round] He was waived by the Dolphins on August 30, 2014 and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Dolphins Bring Roster Down To 53 Players|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Dolphins-Bring-Roster-Down-To-53-Players/1424bd88-aaf9-4c33-914a-de82824eda69|author=Poupart, Alain|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 30, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2017}}{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Sign 10 To Practice Squad|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/PRESS-RELEASE-Dolphins-Sign-10-To-Practice-Squad/41a53ddd-fbb6-4ff7-92e2-d5f16835eab6|author=Poupart, Alain|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 31, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2017}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 20, 2014.{{cite web|title=PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Make Roster Move|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/press-releases/article-1/PRESS-RELEASE-Dolphins-Make-Roster-Move/570ac8da-8767-4bd4-8184-e14297a12a82|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=December 20, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2017}}

On August 27, 2016, Hazel was waived by the Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Dolphins make roster moves|url=http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Dolphins-Release-11-Players/592d4091-2022-446e-8fcb-58d250b79ca8|website=MiamiDolphins.com|date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180933/http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Dolphins-Release-11-Players/592d4091-2022-446e-8fcb-58d250b79ca8|archive-date=June 20, 2018}}

=Buffalo Bills=

On September 5, 2016, Hazel was signed to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Bills sign four to practice squad|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-four-to-practice-squad/a34f0d03-676e-4a4d-9a95-79b9fb7da2f4|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=September 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052908/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-sign-four-to-practice-squad/a34f0d03-676e-4a4d-9a95-79b9fb7da2f4|archive-date=February 24, 2018}} He was released by the team on October 4, 2016.{{cite web|title=Bills release TE Dray; promote TE Christian from practice squad|url=http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-release-TE-Dray-promote-TE-Christian-from-practice-squad/8fe7266d-c311-4468-9494-ef91a1689feb|author=Brown, Chris|website=BuffaloBills.com|date=October 4, 2016|access-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005121326/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-release-TE-Dray-promote-TE-Christian-from-practice-squad/8fe7266d-c311-4468-9494-ef91a1689feb|archive-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}

=Washington Redskins=

On October 25, 2016, Hazel was signed to the Washington Redskins' practice squad.{{cite web|title=10/25: Redskins Make Roster Move|url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/1025-Redskins-Make-Roster-Move/461b31e1-7c6e-40c5-95d6-8807a16434ca|website=Redskins.com|date=October 25, 2016}} He signed a futures contract with the Redskins on January 2, 2017.{{cite web|work=Redskins.com|url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Nine-To-ReserveFuture-Contracts/8b47d71e-b8f6-4210-ba00-7f83390de040|title=Redskins Sign Nine To Reserve/Future Contracts|date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903030644/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/Redskins-Sign-Nine-To-ReserveFuture-Contracts/8b47d71e-b8f6-4210-ba00-7f83390de040|access-date=January 2, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017}}

On September 2, 2017, Hazel was waived by the Redskins.{{cite web|title=9/2: Redskins Make Roster Moves|url=http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/92-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/ec94fade-58e8-4d11-a499-b8317f337ae0|website=Redskins.com|date=September 2, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905031831/http://www.redskins.com/news/article-1/92-Redskins-Make-Roster-Moves/ec94fade-58e8-4d11-a499-b8317f337ae0|archive-date=September 5, 2017|url-status=dead}}

=Indianapolis Colts (first stint)=

Hazel was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on September 3, 2017.{{cite web|title=Colts Claim Five Players Off Waivers|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Claim-Five-Players-Off-Waivers/ebee6267-92ac-46c4-9de6-84fb5a5e9e18|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109151957/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Claim-Five-Players-Off-Waivers/ebee6267-92ac-46c4-9de6-84fb5a5e9e18|archive-date=November 9, 2017}} He was waived on September 16, 2017 but was re-signed two days later.{{cite web|title=Colts Sign Inside Linebacker Darnell Sankey From Practice Squad|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Sign-Inside-Linebacker-Darnell-Sankey-From-Practice-Squad/f8ac4bff-fd24-43b8-b6b2-961e82db3723|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219184125/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Sign-Inside-Linebacker-Darnell-Sankey-From-Practice-Squad/f8ac4bff-fd24-43b8-b6b2-961e82db3723|archive-date=December 19, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Colts Re-Sign WR Matt Hazel; Add To Practice Squad|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Move-Colts-Re-Sign-WR-Matt-Hazel-Add-To-Practice-Squad/5f175b19-edbe-4207-94bc-47bd243f2525|website=Colts.com|date=September 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100627/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Move-Colts-Re-Sign-WR-Matt-Hazel-Add-To-Practice-Squad/5f175b19-edbe-4207-94bc-47bd243f2525|archive-date=September 26, 2017}} He was waived again on September 25, 2017 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Roster Move: Colts Waive Wide Receiver Matt Hazel|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Move-Colts-Waive-Wide-Receiver-Matt-Hazel/51e59856-185e-4d57-bb6c-38222d202690|website=Colts.com|date=September 25, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Colts Sign Three To Practice Squad|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Moves-Colts-Sign-Three-To-Practice-Squad/80f3a679-d35b-4627-b327-370924036422|website=Colts.com|date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193248/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Roster-Moves-Colts-Sign-Three-To-Practice-Squad/80f3a679-d35b-4627-b327-370924036422|archive-date=September 28, 2017}} He was promoted back to the active roster on November 9, 2017.{{cite web|title=Colts Place Henry Anderson On IR; Activate Denzelle Good|url=https://www.colts.com/news/colts-place-henry-anderson-on-ir-activate-denzelle-good-19734769|author=Walker, Andrew|website=Colts.com|date=November 9, 2017}} He was waived again on November 28, 2017 and re-signed to the practice squad on December 11.{{cite web|title=Colts Claim Former Chiefs Tight End Ross Travis|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Claim-Former-Chiefs-Tight-End-Ross-Travis/f088f9cd-57c8-4f84-bf0a-68515325fa1b|website=Colts.com|date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104211420/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Claim-Former-Chiefs-Tight-End-Ross-Travis/f088f9cd-57c8-4f84-bf0a-68515325fa1b|archive-date=January 4, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Colts Sign WR Matt Hazel To Practice Squad|url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Colts-Sign-WR-Matt-Hazel-To-Practice-Squad/532950e9-c5ae-43b6-b5cd-09a33ffa56ce|website=Colts.com|date=December 11, 2017}}

=Cleveland Browns=

On December 13, 2017, Hazel was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Colts' practice squad.{{cite web|title=Browns add DE Lavar Edwards, OL Geoff Gray and WR Matt Hazel|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-add-DE-Lavar-Edwards-OL-Geoff-Gray-and-WR-Matt-Hazel/1f827fca-028b-408d-80b4-1c4f88147e38|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215224557/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-add-DE-Lavar-Edwards-OL-Geoff-Gray-and-WR-Matt-Hazel/1f827fca-028b-408d-80b4-1c4f88147e38|archive-date=February 15, 2018}}

On April 16, 2018, Hazel signed his restricted free-agent tender with the Browns for the 2018 season.{{cite web|title=Browns' Matt Hazel: Signs RFA tender with Browns|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/browns-matt-hazel-signs-rfa-tender-with-browns/|work=CBS sports|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018}}

Hazel was waived by the Browns on April 30, 2018.{{cite web|title=Browns sign QB Joel Stave|url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-QB-Joel-Stave/5f187a67-f808-4284-be64-03ec8143f9e9|website=ClevelandBrowns.com|date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625161106/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-QB-Joel-Stave/5f187a67-f808-4284-be64-03ec8143f9e9|archive-date=June 25, 2018}}

=Indianapolis Colts (second stint)=

On August 12, 2018, Hazel was signed by the Colts.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Colts Sign WR Matt Hazel, RB Branden Oliver; Place WR Deon Cain On IR|url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-moves-colts-sign-wr-matt-hazel-rb-branden-oliver-place-wr-deon-cain-on-ir|website=Colts.com|date=August 12, 2018}} He was waived/injured on August 23, 2018 and placed on injured reserve.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Colts Sign DT Brandon Banks|url=https://www.colts.com/news/roster-moves-colts-sign-de-brandon-banks|website=Colts.com|date=August 23, 2018}} He was released on September 11, 2018.

=Winnipeg Blue Bombers=

On April 30, 2019, Hazel signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web | url=https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/04/30/bombers-add-matt-hazel-javon-rolland-jones/ | title=BOMBERS ADD MATT HAZEL AND JA’VON ROLLAND-JONES | publisher=bluebombers.com | accessdate=May 31, 2024}} He was released on June 8, 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.bluebombers.com/transactions/ | title=Transactions | publisher=bluebombers.com | accessdate=May 31, 2024}}

=Lazio Ducks=

In 2021, Hazel signed with the Lazio Ducks of the Italian Football League in Rome, Italy. Hazel had 67 receptions for 977 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season for the Ducks. Hazel resigned with the Ducks for the 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/italy-lazio-ducks-re-sign-former-nfl-wr-matt-hazel/ | title=Italy: Lazio Ducks re-sign former NFL WR Matt Hazel | publisher=americanfootballinternational.com | date=November 18, 2021 | accessdate=May 31, 2024 | author=Malchow, Alex}}{{cite web | url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/italy-the-2024-ifl-season-could-be-special/ | title=Ítaly: The 2024 IFL season could be special | publisher=americanfootballinternational.com | accessdate=31 May 2024}}