Center Is UW Position Beginning to Take Shape

The Huskies have players in this role establishing themselves, moving in and moving out.

Dan Raley | Apr 6, 2023

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Washington Huskies

Halfway through University of Washington spring football practice, one position that has come to the forefront this week is center.

In order, sixth-year senior Matteo Mele is settling in as the starter, redshirt freshman Parker Brailsford is establishing himself as a capable back-up, newly arrived freshman Landen Hatchett has made a few rookie mistakes but hasn't dulled the enthusiasm for him and sophomore Owen Prentice apparently took a long, hard look at the competition and decided it was time to move on.

Through seven practices, the 6-foot-6, 295-pound Mele from Tucson, Arizona, is well entrenched as the No. 1 center. He's highly regarded by the coaching staff, so much that he was used in a reserve role in every game in 2022 just so he would be ready for this moment.

If there's a quibble, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb would like to see him present more of an authoritarian approach to the huddle and the line of scrimmage, a vibe that his predecessor Corey Luciano was adept at sending out. Otherwise, he brings plenty to the position.

"I think 'Teo has got maybe as big a tool set as anyone on the offense," Grubb said. "I'd like to see him be more serious sometimes. I think he's already grown in that in the first six or seven practices. [We're] just going to keep pushing him to be a more mature leader."

Editor's Note: Front and center in this story is Skylar Lin's photo gallery for a look at the Huskies, old and new, captured in action during Wednesday's practice.

As Husky tight end Devin Culp will tell you, the very hands-on UW wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard is never far from the action during practice.

Parker brothers Armon and Jayvon run upfield during Wednesday's spring football practice in Husky Stadium alongside Siaosi Finau (93) and Bralen Trice (8).

Freshman Landen Hatchett, who hails from Ferndale, Washington, lets his eyes wander some as he provides resistance for fellow UW center Parker Brailsford.

Freshman linebacker Deven Bryant has everyone in his position group watching him as he prepares to involve himself in a Wednesday drill in Husky Stadium.

Michigan State transfer Germie Bernard once more looks like he belongs as he gracefully runs under this pass during Wednesday's spring football practice.

Edge rusher Zach Durfee, a Sioux Falls transfer, launches himself at the football in an end zone drill on Wednesday at Husky Stadium.

Jalen McMillan shows his reach as he pulls in a practice pass on Wednesday at Husky Stadium.

Cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, the Oklahoma State transfer, hopes greatly increase the Huskies' interception total, a number that has been down in recent seasons.

Rome Odunze is always smiling as he takes part in spring football, generally one of the most good-natured Huskies on the roster.

Behind Mele is a fellow Arizonan in the 6-foot-2, 272-pound Brailsford, who hails from Scottsdale, redshirted and didn't play in any games last season. However, the Huskies like his strength and can envision him playing this fall if needed.

Added to the mix since spring ball restarted is the 6-foot-2, 309-pound Hatchett, younger brother of UW offensive linemen Geirean Hatchett and someone expected to play fairly early in his career.

"He had a bad snap today, and that didn't look very good, but he's doing a good job," Grubb said. "He's a powerful, athletic kid and he's taking it in as fast as he can. He's competitive. He wants to learn."

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Prentice, again, was a 4-star prospect who had offers from LSU, Michigan and USC among several others, but couldn't make it work at offensive guard or more recently at center for the UW and left the team.

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Published Apr 6, 2023

DAN RALEY

Dan Raley has worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, as well as for MSN.com and Boeing, the latter as a global aerospace writer. His sportswriting career spans four decades and he's covered University of Washington football and basketball during much of that time. In a working capacity, he's been to the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the MLB playoffs, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and countless Final Fours and bowl games.