| J. T. Hassell | |
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Birth Date: | August 14, 1995 |
| Birth Place: | Titusville, Florida, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 11 |
| Weight Lbs: | 200 |
| High School: | Astronaut (Titusville, Florida) |
| College: | Florida Tech |
| Undraftedyear: | 2019 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Cflstatus: | American |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statvalue1: | 8 |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statlabel3: | Pass deflections |
| Statlabel4: | Interceptions |
| Statlabel5: | Forced fumbles |
| Pfr: | HassJT00 |
| Cfl: | j-t-hassell-2/165212/ |
Justin Tyler "J. T." Hassell (born August 14, 1995) is an American professional football defensive back who is a free agent. Hassell played college football at Florida Tech. He has been a member of the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Toronto Argonauts
Hassell was born with only two fingers on his left hand due to a deformity. He grew up in Titusville, Florida and attended Titusville High School before transferring to Astronaut High School.[1]
Hassell began his collegiate career at South Dakota State. He started all 14 of the Jackrabbits games at linebacker as a true freshman and recorded 41 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.[2] Hassell played in 12 games as a sophomore with 21 tackles. Following the end of the season, he decided to transfer to the Division II Florida Institute of Technology in order to be closer to his family.[3]
After sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, Hassell led the Panthers and finished fifth in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) with 78 tackles and was named second-team all-conference as a redshirt junior. As a redshirt senior, he made 124 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks for 34 yards and three forced fumbles and was named first-team All-GSC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and the D2CCA, and a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[4]
Hassell signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2019.[5] He was waived at the end of final roster cuts, but was re-signed to the Browns' practice squad on September 1, 2019.[6] Hassell was promoted to the Browns' active roster on November 20, 2019.[7] He made his NFL debut on November 24, 2019 against the Miami Dolphins, playing nine snaps on special teams and making two tackles in a 41-24 win while also becoming the first Florida Tech player to appear in an NFL regular season game.[8] [1] In his rookie season Hassell played in four games with seven tackles.[9]
Hassell was waived by the Browns on September 3, 2020.[10]
On November 30, 2020, Hassell was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad.[11] He was released on December 8.[12]
On December 11, 2020, Hassell was signed to the New York Jets' active roster.[13] Against the Los Angeles Rams on December 20, 2020, he blocked a punt in the second quarter of the game.[14] On August 31, 2021, Hassell was waived by the Jets.[15]
Hasell signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL) on September 6, 2022.[16] He was released by the team on October 12, 2022.[17] Hasell played in four games, recording two special teams tackles.
On January 4, 2023, it was announced that Hassell had been signed by the Toronto Argonauts.[18] He was moved to the practice roster on June 3, and placed on the reserve/suspended list on July 24, 2023.[19]