Husky Roster Review: Older Hatchett Is Ready To Be UW Starter

As far as iconic University of Washington football photos go in recent times, there's plenty to choose from. Michael Penix Jr. surrounded by celebratory students in Husky Stadium after beating Michigan State is a screen saver. Roger Rosengarten howling to the moon at Autzen Stadium remains unforgettable. Cam Davis flipped end over end on a touchdown run creates a double-take.

A personal favorite is a shot of Geirean Hatchett, Gaard Memmelaar and Myles Murao, one by one, in various exhaustive poses. Helmets at their feet. Towels on two of their heads. Weariness across the board.

It's not Abbey Road, but the repetitive poses strike a chord. Call it Abbey Load. Either way, it's a compelling insider look at three overly tired Husky offensive linemen.

Hatchett, in particular, appears extra intense, gloved hands clasped in front of him, eyes straight ahead, body erect, still ready to play.

It could be a metaphor for the 6-foot-4, 297-pound sophomore from Ferndale, Washington, now one of two Hatchett brothers on the roster, who seems on the cusp of playing a lot more as he enters his fourth season in the UW football program.

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, this Hatchett, who wears No. 56 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 this iconic image, Geirean Hatchett, Gaard Memmelaar and Myles Murao look spent as they gather themselves in the locker room.

Hands on his hips, Geirean Hatchett closely watches Roger Rosengarten stand up a Husky teammate in this spring drill.

Geirean Hatchett provides resistance for a fellow lineman as coach Scott Huff and offensive guard Nate Kalepo watch them tangle.

Landen Hatchett watches older sibling Geirean mixe it up with Roger Rosengarten in this spring football drill.

Geirean Hatchett (56) gets ready to go in while his brother Landen, not yet eligible and a spring spectator, checks his phone during practice.

Geirean Hatchett was used as a center, right guard and right tackle during spring practice, demonstrating more versatility than any other lineman.

Rome Odunze and Geirean Hatchett, who came in together in the same recruiting class, chat each other up as they head to spring practice in 2021.

While his brother has hair flowing down his back, Geirean Hatchett prefers a much more conservative football appearance.

The older Hatchett arrived in Montlake in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, among a group of five offensive linemen as highly rated together as any across the Pac-12. Hatchett, Rosengarten and Murao each were 4-star prospects, with teams such as Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma filling out their respective offer sheets.

Rosengarten made things happen first by launching himself as a starter this past season, earning first-team Freshman All-America accolades from more than one outlet.

Murao, hobbled by knee injuries that notably reduced his college football stature, gave up the Montlake quest and left the program in April following spring ball.

That leaves Hatchett trying to earn his keep as a full-service UW offensive lineman. He appears ready to go. He sees much more opportunity ahead for him.

"I feel it's definitely my year," Hatchett said. "I have the opportunity to go out and make a big wave in the offensive line and be one of those guys."

He appeared in all 13 games last season, filling in at offensive guard and even as an extra tight end.

During spring ball, Hatchett ran mostly with the second-team offense, yet he was inserted at center, right guard and right tackle as he auditioned for more parts than anyone else in what amounts to a Husky Broadway play.

On that right side, Hatchett won't unseat Rosengarten on the outside nor will he move aside sixth-year senior Matteo Mele at center. Right offensive guard appears to be his best bet at getting on the field this coming season as a starter.

While the older and much bigger Julius Buelow was the No. 1 right guard when April came to an end, Hatchett very well could be the guy coming out of fall camp. That position seems more unsettled, more in competition, than any as the Huskies remake the offensive line.

Buelow spent half the season as the starter at left guard in 2021. Hatchett is seeking his big break this fall. It should be a battle worth watching, maybe one that lends to a memorable photograph.

GEIREAN HATCHETT FILE

Service: After a pair of inactive seasons in development, Hatchett became the second player from the 2020 OL five to draw significant snaps, appearing in all 13 games.

Stats: With the Huskies low on bodies, Hatchett was put on the field as a blocking tight end at California. His coaches said he was athletic enough they would have had no problem throwing to him.

Role: Hatchett is close to becoming a starter. Right guard likely comes down to him and Buelow, who carries a 6-foot-8, 310-pound frame, in one of the few unsettled personnel battles.

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