Dieterich Toes Line For UW, Ready To Play Anywhere Up Front

The center position at the University of Washington unequivocally belongs to Landen Hatchett when he's healthy.

For two spring practices, his brother Geierean took over as the Husky snapper before he suffered a biceps injury that sidelined him in early April.

Jake Flores, normally a guard, took over for the older Hatchett brother for the next 13 spring practices and three fall sessions.

For the past 48 hours, the job has belonged to Kolt Dieterich.

He's a transfer portal pick-up from Sam Houston State who appears to be so skilled that Jedd Fisch and his coaching staff are going to great lengths to find as many different avenues to get him on the field as they can.

"When Landen gets back, now we've got opportunities to put Kolt really anywhere," Fisch said. "That kid is doing a phenomenal job."

At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Dieterich is not the blocking monster that has become vogue in Fisch's Montlake -- such as the UW starting 6-foot-5, 345-pound Champ Taulealea and 6-foot-6, 325-pound John Mills at the offensive guards -- but he appears extra athletic for a lineman and likely capable of bulking up a considerable amount.

He arrived in Seattle with a shoulder injury that kept him out of spring contact drills, but the coaches saw enough of him in his limited participation to begin contemplating ways that will get him on the field.

"Kolt is a really good football player," UW offensive-line coach Michael Switzer said on the eve of fall camp.

It appears the Huskies are grooming the Riesel, Texas, product to step in at any of the five offensive-live positions should a starter get injured or not play well.

Kolt Dieterich started 18 games at offensive tackle for Sam Houston State. | Dieterich

At Sam Houston State, Dieterich was an 18-game starting tackle over the past two seasons.

For the UW in April, he took some turns at guard.

For the past two practices, he's been the starting center with Landen Hatchett lurking in the background, maybe wondering if he's going to get his job back.

Fisch can remember exactly how this center audition came about for Dieterich. All the coach had to do was jump out of bed and find his offensive-line coach, and share his vision.

Geirean (56) and Landen (66) Hatchett hang out with Kolt Dieterich (55) and Dom Harris (79) post spring game. | Dave Sizer photo

"I think like practice 6 or 7 I woke up one morning and said to Switz, 'Why don't we get Kolt snapping, just get him snapping, [for] one more position he can play,' " Fisch recalled of that inspirational spring moment. "He was not able to practice dealing with his shoulder. He started snapping inside and he started napping outside. And now he's got himself in a spot where he's our starting center."

Soon the younger Hatchett brother will be medically cleared and reclaim his job, and Dieterich will either back him up or move to any one of the other lineman roles and wait to be called.

It might not be long at all this season before some Husky need arises calling for his services.

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