By the primary six video games of the 2023 season, Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Kamal Hadden had been having a incredible senior season.
In his third yr at Knoxville after beginning at Independence Group Faculty in Kansas, the River Rouge, Michigan native had allowed just one completion of greater than 15 yards over 33 targets. He had been credited with 11 passes defensed and three interceptions — one among them returned for a 28-yard landing in opposition to South Carolina in Week 5.
However whereas making a deal with throughout Tennessee’s seventh contest in opposition to Alabama, Hadden suffered a shoulder harm that brought about him to overlook the remainder of the season.
Now a member of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs after being chosen within the sixth spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft, Hadden had a brand new perspective after taking part within the first session of the staff’s three-day rookie minicamp.
“I form of bought that in-game expertise a bit bit at follow yesterday,” Hadden advised reporters earlier than Sunday’s session, “however it’s only a nice feeling… When you get the sport taken away from you for some time, it simply makes you respect it extra. It makes you wish to go a bit more durable in follow [and] simply give your all the things if you are enjoying it — since you by no means know when it might be taken away from you.
“You simply wish to benefit from your alternative coming to this group; it’s a fantastic group. You’re very grateful. It’s a blessing to be right here — and part of one thing like this.”
After choosing Washington State security Jaden Hicks within the fourth spherical — after which Hadden — Kansas Metropolis basic supervisor Brett Veach has now acquired a complete of 11 defensive backs on the third day of seven drafts. The depth Veach has constructed with these shrewd reinforcements has performed a serious position within the staff’s three Tremendous Bowl victories over the past 5 seasons.
Hadden hopes to be the subsequent late-round gem to shine beneath defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He hopes that enjoying beneath Volunteers defensive coordinator Tim Banks — a graduate assistant beneath Spagnuolo at Bowling Inexperienced in 1996 — could have ready him for his position in Kansas Metropolis.
Hadden revealed that earlier than the draft, he had a beforehand unreported top-30 go to with Kansas Metropolis.
Picture by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photographs
“[I’m] one other man,” he defined, “that may are available, present up, and present Spags [that] he can actually exit and recruit; [that] he can see expertise. Even within the late rounds, he can go get guys — and he can develop guys. That was one factor [when I met him] on my 30 go to: it was only a connection there. He labored by means of my DC at Tennessee earlier than.
“It was only a great point. It’s a fantastic alternative to go in there and fill these sneakers.”
Hadden is already feeling the consequences of enjoying beneath Spagnuolo.
“He’s on me lots,” he remarked, “as a result of he sees lots in me. I really feel like I see lots in myself. However simply coming from a defensive coordinator like that [who] makes loads of performs and is famous [is great] — as a result of I really feel like if [he sees] one thing, I can imagine in myself much more.”
Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt has additionally left an impression on the staff’s new defender.
“He’s a man that teaches the sport, however he teaches you life classes as properly,” noticed Hadden. “He got here in with quotes and totally different tales on how try to be a person and your religion and issues like that. It’s only a nice alternative. I really feel like Coach Merritt is a superb coach; I can study lots from him.”
Kansas Metropolis’s current success growing younger defensive backs has assured Hadden his sixth-round standing won’t be held in opposition to him — or give him a aggressive benefit over the undrafted gamers in search of to crack the Chiefs’ roster.
“Once I got here right here earlier than the draft,” he recalled, “they advised me, ‘Are available and know your job.’ They made it recognized that regardless of the place you have been drafted — even guys who weren’t drafted — everybody has the chance; everyone’s on a clear enjoying subject. So regardless of the place you might be or who you might be, simply are available and embrace the chance.
“They stated they see lots in me — they usually assume that I can are available [and] fill these sneakers. What I see in myself i s a man who can are available and play, however a man that’s prepared to study from the blokes which are already right here.”
Hadden now relishes the chance to indicate a defending champion the participant they’re getting.
“Lacking half the season in faculty resulting from a routine deal with, it made [me] miss all the things just a bit extra,” he declared. ”I simply can’t wait to get again on the market immediately to see what I can do and see how far I’ve come — and [what I’ve] realized since I’ve been damage.”
