Landen Hatchett Is In a Big Hurry to Get on the Field for UW

The freshman center was a spectator for each of the first three spring practices, unable to enroll in school just yet.

Landen Hatchett stood off to the side, looking more like a roadie in a rock band with his long blond locks rather than a football player with infinite possibilities.

This past week, Hatchett was in attendance for each of the University of Washington's three spring practices before the quarter break set in, relegated to spectator because he couldn't enroll in school and become a student any sooner.

Still, people couldn't help but notice the steady presence of the 6-foot-3, 300-pound center, the younger of two brothers on the Husky roster from Ferndale, Washington, and someone focused on the flurry of activity surrounding him.

Landen Hatchett watches his brother Geirean Hatchett (56) and Roger Rosengarten (73) go at it in a drill / Skylar Lin Visuals

Hardly shy, Hatchett chatted up coach Kalen DeBoer, followed by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, in impromptu one-on-ones during practice on the first day. 

Making himself useful, the teenager hopped on the back of the blocking sled with others to keep it from tipping over as the veteran linemen crashed into it and got their reps in. 

He stood on the sideline and spoke to players as if he were already one of them, not someone who under normal circumstances would be finishing up his senior year of high school and be a little reticent in these surroundings.

Landen Hatchett attended all three UW spring practices before the break / Dan Raley

Hatchett carries himself as confidently as anyone in a UW uniform. His presence is such that his sibling, Geirean, a starting candidate who plays every offensive-line position, speaks reverently about his little brother, citing his athleticism. For that matter, Landon already has a powerfully built physique and even outweighs his older brother by three pounds.

All of this begs the following question: Similar to a Nick Harris or a Trey Adams, will this Hatchett come in and be that rare UW offensive lineman who doesn't redshirt and plays right away? 

"We're going to find out," Husky line coach Scott Huff said.

The great ones in Montlake typically arrive acting as if they belong from the outset There's no fear in them at all. No physical adjustment period required. No need for any freshman orientation. 

For that matter, this younger Hatchett previously attended most Husky spring practices ... a year ago. He's hardly a mascot or a football wannabe either. He's just seems eager to play at this level.

Landen Hatchett jumped right in with coaches to keep the blocking sled level in a drill.  / Dan Raley

When Hatchett wasn't on a recruiting trip to Texas A&M or USC, the 4-star recruit was a fixture at Husky Stadium last April. He was watching his brother play when he wasn't leading others out of the stadium on a coffee run and back. He was someone everyone else couldn't help but notice. 

"He was able to spend a lot of time with us here; not training, but he's just been around this place," Huff said. "So he's coming in and feeling more comfortable than your average incoming freshman, and you would think that would be a good thing."

This younger Hatchett will practice with the Huskies for the first time on March 29 when everyone returns from spring break and he's officially a college student. All indications are he's a rock star, and not a roadie. 

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