Husky Roster Review: No One is Going to Bury This Hatchett On Depth Chart

No one has looked more comfortable, so totally at ease, in entering Husky Stadium and introducing himself around than Landen Hatchett.

For University of Washington spring football practice in 2022, he was a regular presence as a spectator, at least when he wasn't dealing with other schools recruiting him in Texas A&M, Michigan, USC and Oregon, answering calls and taking visits.

Hatchett was the gregarious, long-haired kid leading others up the tunnel and returning with coffee and snacks in hand while Kalen DeBoer's first Washington team strained to keep up with more up-tempo practices than before.

This past spring, the 6-foot-2, 309-pound Hatchett from Ferndale, Washington, returned for another round of spring ball, this time watching the first three workouts in street clothes before he could enroll at the UW early and pull on the pads as a newly signed freshman center.

Hatchett mixed with everyone, hardly intimidated by his college football surroundings. He chatted up DeBoer, then offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, like they were old friends.

He jumped on the back of a blocking sled to help weigh it down as the veteran offensive linemen came out of their stances and crashed into it.

Once in uniform, this Hatchett, one of two brothers on the roster and a 4-star recruit from Ferndale High School, looked physically and mentally ready to play from the outset of a dozen practices.

"I've told the coaches many times in these last four weeks I feel like I've grown as a football player more than I have even in the last year of playing football," Hatchett said. "Coming here early has been awesome. It's helped me grow a lot."

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, Hatchett, who wears No. 66 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.

In the final spring scrimmage, Landen Hatchett waits for Dylan Thomas to call for the football.

Parker Brailsford (72) and Landen Hatchett (66) each had productive springs as young guys who are candidates at center or playing time elsewhere.

Dylan Morris works on the snap with freshman center Landen Hatchett while waiting to take the field in the Huskies' final spring scrimmage.

Geirean Hatchett (56) looks on as his brother Landen take on Roger Rosengarten (73) in this Husky spring practice drill.

Landen Hatchett's eyes wonder as he goes one on one with UW redshirt freshman center Parker Brailsford during spring ball.

Landen Hatchett is poised to snap the ball and fire out of his stance during spring ball in Dempsey Indoor.

Landen Hatchett comes out of his stance after spiraling one. back to quarterback Dylan Morris during UW spring practice.

Landen Hatchett rises up to strike a pad held by fellow center Parker Brailsford in Dempsey Indoor during spring ball.

Landen Hatchett had to sit out three spring practices before he could enroll in spring quarter, become eligible and pull on the pads.

As his brother Geirean moves down the sideline, an inactive but present Landen Hatchett checked his phone early in spring ball in Dempsey Indoor.

Hatchett emerged from spring practice as the third-team center, but he looked so mature as a first-year player, don't be surprised if the coaching staff, after having a number of months and many reels of practice film to think about it, move him down the line to another position to get him on the field.

"I'm not going to be mad if I have to redshirt or if I play or whatever," Hatchett said, outwardly . "I'm just going with how it goes."

As the younger brother of sophomore Geirean Hatchett, someone who worked out at three different positions this spring, it will be interesting to see who gets on the field first on a regular basis and who starts initially.

At some point, it would surprise no one if they end up starting side by side down the line. Landen actually weighs 12 pounds heavier, though he's two inches shorter, than big brother, who's three years older.

"He's a powerful, athletic kid," offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said.

Looking like something out of Thor in the movies, he also has the second-longest hair among the Huskies, surpassing everyone except well-tressed senior safety Asa Turner.

Nothing has changed for this promising player. Landen Hatchett has always felt like he belongs in Montlake and it's just a matter of time before he makes himself real comfortable in the lineup somewhere.

LANDEN HATCHETT FILE

Service: Young Hatchett has a dozen practices on his Husky ledger, though he's been part of the program for a lot longer than that as the younger brother of Geirean Hatchett.

Stats: This accomplished athlete doesn't really have any numbers yet, unless you want to count his record-breaking home run total or his hefty punting average at Ferndale High. He's an athlete.

Role: While sixth-year senior Matteo Mele appears to have the starting job wrapped up at center, Hatchett likely finds a path that gets him on the field somewhere as a freshman.

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