Geirean Hatchett, UW Huskies’ steadying force, is having more fun than ever

Washington offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett celebrates the Huskies first quarter touchdown as the Washington Huskies played the Washington State University Cougars in the annual Apple Cup Game Saturday, Sept. 20,... (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Skip Ad

By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter

To clarify, Geirean Hatchett had fun during past seasons playing college football. 

He obviously enjoyed being part of the 2023 team that went to the College Football Playoff championship game and the 2022 squad that won the Alamo Bowl.

But this year — Hatchett’s sixth playing college football and his fifth at Washington — he’s having more fun than any of his previous seasons. It all stems from a simple shift in attitude. 

“There’s not a lot of people who get this opportunity,” he said. “So no matter what you’re doing, always make it a fun time. I’ve had that mindset this whole year, and this is the most fun I’ve had playing football in six years.” 

Hatchett, the 6-foot-4, 310-pound right guard, is the only Washington offensive lineman who’s started every single game this season. Coach Jedd Fisch said the Ferndale-born player has brought crucial veteran leadership to the group. Hatchett, who is slated to appear in his 36th career game for UW when it takes on UCLA at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., has also been a key mentor for the young group of offensive linemen the Huskies hope will propel the program forward in the near future. 

“He’s brought a ton of maturity to that group,” Fisch said. “The guys really rally behind him. They really enjoy having Geirean around.”

Advertising Skip AdSkip AdSkip Ad

The Huskies (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) have sustained some notable offensive line injuries this season. Sixth-year left tackle Carver Willis missed three games for UW after suffering a knee injury against No. 1 Ohio State Sept. 27. True freshman left guard John Mills sustained a high-ankle sprain against Maryland a week later and was absent for two games. Junior right tackle Drew Azzopardi (lower leg) and junior center Landen Hatchett (hand), Geirean’s younger brother, haven’t appeared since the game against Wisconsin Nov. 8. 

Fisch said Azzopardi is doubtful to face UCLA, while Landen has been limited by a cast on his normal snapping hand. 

Amid all the changes, Geirean has been the one constant. He’s the player Fisch has relied upon to settle sophomore center Zachary Henning into the lineup. The one who’s been asked to support the revolving door of right tackles UW has tried in Azzopardi’s absence, including sophomore tackle Soane Faasolo, redshirt freshman guard Paki Finau and Mills. The one who’s been tasked with maintaining the offensive line’s cohesion, confidence and communication on the field. 

Fisch added Geirean and Willis’ experience has been important on the sideline, too, helping UW’s rash of young offensive linemen — Mills, Finau and true freshman guard Champ Taulealea, in particular — evaluate what they’re seeing on the gridiron. 

“It’s super important,” Fisch said. “And he’s done a great job with it.” 

Geirean’s improved as a player this year, too, Fisch said. Pro Football Focus grades him as UW’s third-best run-blocking offensive lineman, behind Willis and Mills. 

Advertising Skip Ad

UW is averaging 5 yards per carry rushing through the A-gap between the center and right guard this season, and 5.4 yards through the B-gap between the right guard and right tackle, according to PFF. Jordan Washington’s seasonlong 68-yard touchdown run against Purdue went through the B gap between Geirean and Mills. 

And while he does lead the team with 20 pressures allowed, 30% of them came during one rough outing against Wisconsin. A game where both the offensive linemen on either side of Geirean exited early because of injury. Additionally, Mills is the only starting offensive lineman who’s been penalized fewer times than Geirean, despite the veteran right guard playing 68 more offensive snaps than any of them. 

“There were stretches in the past where I’d be really good for a game or two and then have a bad game,” he said. “I wanted to eliminate a full bad game. Maybe a bad play here or there. Everybody’s going to get that. But this year, I think I’ve done a good job of just being consistent. Like I’ll get beat here and there, but mostly doing my job.”

Geirean’s new approach to simply have fun and enjoy the time he has remaining was the result of two injury-plagued seasons in 2023 and 2024. He played in the first eight games of UW’s CFP run before an ankle injury cost him three games at the end of the regular season. He transferred to Oklahoma for 2024, but suffered a season-ending biceps injury during the Sooners’ first game of the season. 

So entering 2025, playing with his brother again, Geirean was determined to appreciate every practice, every weightlifting session, every meeting and certainly every game. 

“Even if I don’t want to practice today, like still find the fun,” he said. “Go out there and enjoy the competition with my brothers.”

Geirean and the Washington offensive line have a chance to flex their abilities against UCLA. The Bruins (3-7, 3-4) are allowing 194.2 yards rushing per game and 21 touchdowns. They’ve registered just seven sacks. 

“Who knows how much time I’m going to get to spend with these guys,” Geirean said, “so I just want to make the most fun out of it.”

Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.