Who Will Prevail As Washington's Right Guard?

Offensive-line coach Scott Huff has a tough task in front of him. In 2022, Washington's offensive line was one of the best in the country, allowing only seven total sacks. But with loftier expectations facing the team in 2023, a larger spotlight will be on the offensive line.

The Huskies are replacing all three starters along the interior of the offensive line, but only one spot doesn't appear to be solidified yet. Nate Kalepo, who started the first three games of 2022 at left guard, will take over at right guard and Matteo Mele, who started at center against Arizona in 2019, will slide back into the middle of the offense, as well.

That leaves left guard as the only spot that hasn't been solidified just yet, with three players competing for one position. Julius Buelow, Gaard Memmelaar, and Geirean Hatchett each have a case to start, but who will who gets the first snap when the Huskies take the field against Boise State on September 2?

Julius Buelow

The coaching staff seems to prefer the hulking 6-foot-8 on the interior of the offensive line and as the strength and conditioning staff has helped him change his body, he's become a more fluid mover as a pulling run blocker and in pass protection. Buelow started five games at left guard in 2021 and has an opportunity to prove to the coaching staff that he deserves another shot to make a name for himself after taking reps with the first team all spring.

Geirean Hatchett

Hatchett has yet to make his first start in a Husky uniform but he played in all 13 of Washington's games in 2022. He took snaps all over the line during spring practice, showing that Huff has developed a lot of trust in the older Hatchett brother. If the former blue-chip recruit can prove he's developed his short-area movement in the run game as well as his pass protection skills, he could make his first career start this fall.

Gaard Memmelaar

The aptly-named interior lineman plays with more anger than either of the other two competitors. He let his temper get too hot at multiple points in the spring and was involved in a few skirmishes. Memmelaar demonstrated the most power and best movement skills of the three offensive linemen competing for the position.

He has only appeared in four games for the Huskies so far, but, as of right now, it looks like Memmelaar might be the best fit for what offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb wants to run up front.

Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories — as soon as they’re published.

Not all stories are posted on the fan sites.

Find Inside the Huskies on Facebook by searching: Inside Huskies/FanNation at SI.com or https://www.facebook.com/dan.raley.12

Follow Roman Tomashoff of Inside the Huskies on Twitter: @rtomashoff34 or @UWFanNation

Have a question? Message me on Twitter!

Add us as a preferred source on Google