Vidal Hazelton

Last updated

Vidal Hazelton
2008-0808-USC06-VidalHazelton.jpg
Hazelton after a 2008 USC fall practice
No. 17
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1988-01-29) January 29, 1988 (age 36)
New York, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school: Staten Island (NY) Moore
College: Cincinnati
Undrafted: 2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
CFL status:International
Career CFL statistics
Receptions:139
Receiving yards:1,724
Receiving average:12.4
Receiving touchdowns:13
Player stats at CFL.ca

Vidal Hazelton (born January 29, 1988) is a former Gridiron football wide receiver. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Cincinnati. He formerly played for the University of Southern California (USC) football team. [1]

Contents

Early years

As a junior in 2005 at Moore Catholic High School in Staten Island (N.Y.), he caught 39 passes for 784 yards (20.1 avg.) with 17 TDs, ran for 240 yards with 4 scores and posted 38 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 interceptions for TDs. He eventually transferred to Hargrave Military Academy his senior year, where he had 41 receptions for 942 yards (23.0 avg.) with 13 TDs in 2005. Hazelton was invited to play in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a national all-star game for the best high school football players in the country.

Collegiate career

USC

Hazelton arrived at USC as one of the nation's best players and one of USC's biggest pickups of the recruiting season. Hazelton saw time in only two games his freshman season, as the Trojans ended up going 11–2 and winning the 2007 Rose Bowl against Michigan 32–18. Hazelton played backup to Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, two of the best receivers in the nation, and only accumulated one catch for eight yards. He also had a run for seven yards.

Hazelton was expected to start the 2007 season for the Trojans, along with junior Patrick Turner, and in spring practice Hazelton impressed observers. [2] He entered fall camp as the top starting flanker on the depth chart. [3] Vidal made an outstanding one handed touchdown catch against Idaho in USC's first game of the year. [4] He finished the season as USC's leading wide receiver in 2007, catching 50 passes and scored four touchdowns. [1]

Hazelton's 2008 season with USC was not as successful. After catching five passes, he suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener against Virginia. Once he recovered he found himself unable to climb back into the starting line-up. The arrival and rise of Arkansas-transfer Damian Williams, along with continued production by senior Patrick Turner and sophomore Ronald Johnson, pushed Hazelton into the role of a seldom used reserve. Further complicating matters, Hazelton's grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, and he desired to be geographically closer to him. On December 2, 2008, Hazelton asked for and was granted permission to transfer to another school. [1] After leaving, Hazelton noted "USC is a great place. It's filled up with athletes. If somebody's not 100 percent they've got to pass them up. I would have done the same thing if I was the coaches at USC." [5] Although Hazelton was from New York, he lived most recently with his grandfather in Georgia. [6] By mid-January, Hazelton was leaning towards Cincinnati. [5] [7]

Professional career

Cincinnati Bengals

After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Hazelton was signed by the San Diego Chargers on July 26, 2011. He was waived by San Diego on August 30. He later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on December 27, 2011. He was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals on August 31, 2012.

Tennessee Titans

Hazelton signed with the Tennessee Titans practice squad September 3, 2012.

New York Jets

The New York Jets signed Hazelton to a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2013. [8] He was waived on August 7, 2013 after suffering an undisclosed leg injury. [9] Hazelton was placed on the team's injured reserve list on August 8, 2013. [10]

Toronto Argonauts

Hazelton signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. [11] In his first year in the CFL Hazelton played in 16 games for the Argos, and was suspended by the team for one game for accumulating too many objectionable conduct penalties. [12] Hazelton contributed 70 pass receptions for 803 yards with 6 touchdowns in his rookie season. He was named the runner up for the CFL Rookie of the Year award for 2015, being edged out but wide receiver Derel Walker. [13]

Hazleton began the 2016 CFL season as one of the Argo's primary wide receivers, and was the first Argonaut to score a touchdown at their new home stadium BMO Field. [14] Hazleton played in 8 of the Argos first 14 games, missing 6 due to injury. Following a Week 15 loss the Argos front office decided to release four of their wide receivers on the same day including Vidal Hazelton. [15] Reports out of the locker room suggest the four wide receivers were not committed to the Argos and had been a source of division in the locker room for some time. [16] In 8 games for the Argos Hazleton caught 27 passes for 361 yards with 3 touchdowns.

Edmonton Eskimos

Hazleton signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) on October 18, 2016. [17] He did not make an appearance for the Eskimos during the 2016 season. On January 16, 2017, Hazleton was re-signed by the Eskimos. [18] In his first full season in Edmonton Hazelton caught 55 passes for 709 yards with four touchdowns (he caught eight passes for 125 yards in the team's two playoff games). On February 5, 2018, Hazleton was re-signed by the Eskimos to a one-year deal, the same day the team released veteran receiver Adarius Bowman. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Ray</span> American gridiron football player (born 1979)

Ricky Ray is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. Ray spent the majority of his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also briefly spent time in the af2, as well as with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Ray is the all-time leader in passing yardage, pass completions, and passing touchdowns for both the Edmonton Elks and Toronto Argonauts. He won a Grey Cup championship four times as a starter, in 2003, 2005, 2012, and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derrell Mitchell</span> American gridiron football player (born 1971)

Derrell Lavoice "Mookie" Mitchell is a former Canadian Football League (CFL) slotback with the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos and former wide receivers coach for the Edmonton Eskimos.

DeVier Stewart Posey is an American former professional gridiron football wide receiver. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State. He was also a member of the New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Toronto Argonauts, Baltimore Ravens, Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. J. Green</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Solomon H. Green III is an American former professional gridiron football wide receiver who played for 13 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2009 and 2010 with the Montreal Alouettes and in 2017 with the Toronto Argonauts. He is also a two-time CFL All-Star and an eight-time CFL East All-Star. He has also been a member of the New York Jets, Seattle Dragons, and Tampa Bay Vipers. Green played college football at South Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmanuel Arceneaux</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Emmanuel Arceneaux is an American former professional football wide receiver who notably played for 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Alcorn State Braves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Collaros</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Zachary J. Collaros is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Collaros won the 107th Grey Cup and 108th Grey Cup as the starting quarterback with the Blue Bombers when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in both games. He had previously won the Grey Cup as the backup quarterback with the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup. Collaros played football at the University of Cincinnati, and has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Harris</span> American gridiron football player (born 1986)

Trevor Harris is an American professional Canadian football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Harris has also played in the Arena Football League (AFL) and United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Edinboro University. As Edinboro's starting quarterback, he broke "every career passing record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference" and was a two-time finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded each year to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Franklin (quarterback)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

James Franklin is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. He played college football at Missouri. He was the Tigers' starting quarterback from 2011 to 2013. He was also a member of the Detroit Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Toronto Argonauts, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Kevin Elliott is a former gridiron football wide receiver. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and was also a member of the Buffalo Bills, Brooklyn Bolts (FXFL), Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Edmonton Eskimos / Football Team of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida A&M.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Rogers (gridiron football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Eric Dionne Rogers is a gridiron football wide receiver who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Cal Lutheran and was a CFL All-Star in 2015. Rogers has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Portland Thunder, Calgary Stampeders, and San Francisco 49ers.

Kenny Shaw is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. He has also been a member of the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DaVaris Daniels</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

DaVaris Daniels is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Notre Dame. After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Daniels signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derel Walker</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Derel Walker is an American professional gridiron football wide receiver who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was named a CFL All-Star in 2015 and 2016 and received the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award in 2015. He is a Grey Cup champion after winning the 103rd Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos in his rookie year. He previously attended Texas A&M University where he played college football for the Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bralon Addison</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Bralon Addison is an American professional football wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Addison has also been a member of the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Minnesota Vikings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Collins</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Ricky Collins Jr. is a Canadian football wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Kilgore College, Midwestern State University, and Texas A&M University–Commerce. He was a member of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), as well as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, BC Lions, and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Natey Adjei is a former Canadian football wide receiver in the Canadian Football League (CFL) who played in six seasons and was a member of three CFL teams. He played college football at City College of San Francisco and the University at Buffalo and attended St. Joseph Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llevi Noel</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1991)

Llevi Noel is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He is a Grey Cup champion after winning the 105th Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. Noel was a member of four different teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Elks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Ralph</span> Canadian football player (born 1992)

Jimmy Ralph is a former professional Canadian football wide receiver. He began his professional career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017 where he won his first Grey Cup as a member of the 105th Grey Cup championship team.

Christion Jones is a former Canadian football kick returner and running back. Jones played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markeith Ambles</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Markeith Ambles is an American professional gridiron football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Houston.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gary Klein, Vidal Hazelton to transfer from USC, Los Angeles Times, December 3, 2008, Accessed December 3, 2008.
  2. ↑ Gary Klein, Booty is in his comfort zone [ dead link ], Los Angeles Times, March 28, 2007.
  3. ↑ Gary Klein, USC's Spanos makes grade on the field [ dead link ], Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Hazelton catches on in college". September 6, 2007.
  5. 1 2 Bill Koch, 'High on Cincinnati', The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 15, 2009, Accessed January 15, 2009.
  6. ↑ Brian Matthews, Hazelton In Depth on Transfer Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , WeAreSC.com, December 2, 2008, Accessed December 3, 2008.
  7. ↑ Sources: Hazelton transferring to Cincy. Retrieved on 2009-01-14.
  8. ↑ "Vidal Hazelton". Rotoworld. 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  9. ↑ Fensom, Michael (7 August 2013). "Jets release Vidal Hazelton". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Transactions". National Football League. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Hazelton signing adds to Argos' receiver competition". CFL. CFL.ca Staff.
  12. ↑ Rush, Curtis (September 25, 2015). "Vidal Hazelton rides pine for Argonauts in crucial game against Redblacks | Toronto Star". The Toronto Star. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Best in Class: Ottawa shines at Shaw CFL Awards". CFL.ca. November 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  14. ↑ "2016-06-23 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Toronto Argonauts (2276) – CFL.ca". CFL.ca. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Argos cut WRs Gurley, Hazelton and Elliott in roster shake-up". October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Argos cut loose receivers". Toronto Sun. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Esks sign former Argo WR Hazelton". TSN. October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Eskimos re-sign WR Hazelton – Article – TSN". TSN. January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Eskimos release Bowman; ink Hazelton to extension – CFL.ca". CFL.ca. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.