POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Marist University freshman safety Chase Hatton has been named Pioneer Football League Defensive Freshman of the Year.
 
Hatton's award makes it two straight years a Red Fox has been named PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year, following James Kratochvil's selection last year. Marist has now captured this honor three times in its PFL history, as Hatton and Kratochvil were preceded by Peter Delatour in 2016.
 
Hatton turned in an outstanding 2025 season. He led Marist with 89 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions. Among FCS freshmen in the regular season, Hatton ranked tied for first in interceptions, and tied for third in tackles. He earned Honorable Mention for FCS Stats Perform Freshman of the Week three times this season. On Nov. 9, he was named PFL Defensive Player of the Week after totaling 12 tackles, two interceptions, a pass break-up, and half-a-tackle for loss in a victory over Stetson.
 
Last Monday, Hatton was named one of 25 national finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, which is presented to the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
The announcement of the PFL honors continues Tuesday with All-PFL teams, and concludes on Wednesday with the PFL All-Academic Teams.