Patriots Draft Ex-Orange Coast Defender Hatch

Lawrence Hatch, a senior defensive back from Florida who also played at Orange Coast College, was drafted Monday by New England.

He was the third pick of the sixth round and 142nd overall.

Hatch was a two-year all-Mission Conference performer at OCC and was a J.C. Grid-Wire All-American in 1990.

At Florida, he started six of 22 games but played often as the fifth defensive back.

His best game was his last. Hatch broke up four passes--one in the end zone--as Florida beat North Carolina State, 27-10, in the 1992 Gator Bowl.

He finished his two years at Florida with five interceptions and 54 tackles, 40 of which were solo. He also performed on kickoff and punt teams.

New England also took kicker Scott Sisson of Georgia Tech and tight end Richard Griffith of Arizona in the fifth round, and wide receiver-kick returner Troy Brown of Marshall in the eighth.

“Every guy we got (Monday) has a chance to make the team,” New England Coach Bill Parcells said.