Husky Roster Review: Kalepo Got Smaller and His Role Got Bigger

Nate Kalepo was a 4-star college football recruit, maybe the top prospect in the state in 2019, unquestionably a big deal during his recruitment.

Once he arrived at the University of Washington, he disappeared in the depth chart, a situation that can become self-defeating for some players. For a young lineman, it's often all work and no Saturday reward.

Transfers happen. Motivation lags. Confidence gets lost.

Kalepo is an example of someone who pushed through it, who used the coaching change to get himself right and who's on the verge of having it all as a Husky starting right guard.

"It was humbling," Kalepo said last season. "Coming from high school, you think you're this, you think you're that. You have four stars, you have five stars. Right when you get on campus, you get humbled. These are grown men you're playing against. You're not playing against no 16- or 17-year-old."

This past spring, Kalepo was the grown man, the guy to set the tone, someone offering a Husky heartbeat. He was the impish one providing levity with his helmet positioned on his head like some SNL conehead (see the accompanying photo gallery).

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, Kalepo, who wears No. 71 all to himself, is next up in a series of profiles about each of the Huskies' scholarship players and assorted walk-ons, summing up their spring football performances and surmising what might come next for them.

Showing his fun side, Nate Kalepo positions that Husky helmet on his head in a relaxed manner during this spring break in the action.

While quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks to the sideline for a play call, Nate Kalepo (71) and the rest of the Huskies wait for him in the huddle.

Nate Kalepo gets his blocking-sled workout in as Husky offensive-line coach Scott Huff watches his linemen go to work.

With the upper deck offering a glorious backdrop, Nate Kalepo moves through the offensive-line drills during spring football.

Nate Kalepo offers a target for fellow offensive guard Geirean Hatchett (56) to hit during their offensive-line drills in spring football.

Nate Kalepo mixes it up with since-departed offensive lineman Owen Prentice during spring football drills in Husky Stadium.

Nate Kalepo and Troy Fautanu, the prospective starting right guard and left tackle, offer the dubs sign after running into the end zone in spring ball.

Nate Kalepo, hands on his hips, waits for his turn in this offensive-line drill while Geirean Hatchett (56) provides opposition.

Nate Kalepo uses his hands in this spring practice drill, an important part of the process for offensive linemen.

A couple things have happened for Kalepo in the past 12 months. The older guys, last season's veteran starting guards in Jaxson Kirkland and Henry Bainivalu, used up their eligibility, requiring him to step up.

Kalepo previously was one of those guys who needed a body makeover when Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff took over, and he had a positive response to this, specifically under the guidance of strength coach Ron McKeefery. He remembers running a lot of stadium stairs.

In one offseason, the now fifth-year junior went from 340 pounds to 310 on a 6-foot-6 frame.

"I lost a lot of weight, got in shape, got in the playbook," Kalepo said. "Everything just kind of played out."

He started the first three games of the DeBoer era at left guard while Kirkland worked himself back into shape following offseason ankle surgery. Kalepo played in every game except the Colorado outing, presumably banged up that week.

"Nate, we always want to get in the game," UW offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said as last season played out. "You want to keep not only developing him, but have him ready."

It's now Kalepo's turn to become a full-season starter, to enjoy the fruits of his hard labor in Montlake, to share more in the game-day experience. He looks and acts like a team leader. He's been patient and impatient.

"I feel everything plays out the way it's supposed to," he said. "I've been just dealing with the cards the way they were dealt."

Picture Kalepo sitting at the Husky poker table, holding what could be a winning hand, looking around and daring anyone to beat him.

NATE KALEPO FILE:

Service: He enters his fifth season having played in 26 games and started three times last season, against Kent State, Portland State and Michigan State.

Stats: For this veteran lineman, the only stat that matters is being No. 1 at right guard.

Role: After getting a taste of starting to open the 2022 season and playing regularly throughout the season, he ran with the first-unit offense all spring. While he's still has to work to stay ahead of players such as Gaard Memmelaar and Geirean Hatchett, the starting job is his until someone says otherwise.

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