Hatchett on His Role

  • last year
Geirean Hatchett is ready if called on to be a starter at offensive guard at Michigan State.
Transcript
00:00 >> Yeah, it felt good.
00:03 I thought I played pretty decent, definitely got some things I need to work
00:07 on, just like everybody that's early in the season.
00:09 But like I said, I thought I played pretty well.
00:12 And I'm happy with the rotation right now.
00:16 I mean, I'm getting quality reps in there, rotating in with the one.
00:19 So it's a long season, so we'll just see how it keeps going.
00:23 >> Are you prepared to start if you're called on?
00:25 >> Absolutely, yeah.
00:26 I've been preparing for the last four years to do that, and
00:29 I definitely think I'm ready.
00:30 So if my name gets called, I'll go out there and kick some butt.
00:36 >> I was watching the game and I see Brailsford's helmet come off.
00:40 And you were out there before anybody could believe it how quick you got.
00:43 I mean, were you just knowing the situation like a fireman almost?
00:46 >> Yeah, for sure.
00:47 Coach Huff just makes sure I'm right by him at all times during the game because
00:52 if somebody goes down, I'm the guy that has to go in.
00:55 And right there, Parker's helmet came off, so
00:57 he had to come out for a couple of plays per the rules.
01:00 So I was just ready to go in and do my job.
01:02 >> So when they talk about literally the next man up,
01:04 you are literally the next man up.
01:07 >> Yeah, I mean, it just depends on what the situation is in the game,
01:11 who's in, who's getting hurt and stuff.
01:14 Huff wants me to be right there to be ready to go.
01:17 >> I was gonna say, depending on kind of what you were asked to do in fall camp,
01:20 I kind of saw you do all three positions, center, right guard, and right tackle.
01:24 >> Yeah. >> What was the situation like at right
01:26 tackle and how was that for you?
01:29 >> It was interesting for sure.
01:31 I kind of started learning more tackle back in the spring.
01:34 This is my first time really ever playing tackle,
01:37 even through high school, being a little kid, never played tackle.
01:40 So it was definitely a fun learning experience for me, and
01:43 I think it made me a much better football player overall.
01:47 >> And I know Colorado was probably your most extended time last year.
01:50 I think you got maybe 20 or some snaps.
01:52 >> Yeah.
01:53 >> How was that maybe getting you prepared for the idea of not just being
01:57 the next guy in, but being the next guy in that could go for an extended time?
02:01 >> Yeah, definitely last year was a good year for
02:03 me to be able to get that game experience, especially the early games.
02:07 And like you mentioned later, with Colorado playing offensive line in those
02:11 games, and then throughout the entire season playing a lot of tight end
02:15 throughout the games as well.
02:16 So that definitely helped prepare me for rotating like I am this year and
02:21 possibly having to go an entire game or start an entire game.
02:26 Yeah.
02:26 >> As being the next guy up though, Garen, what do you consider yourself?
02:29 Do you consider yourself a center, guard, tackle?
02:31 I assume- >> Wherever they need me,
02:33 wherever they need me.
02:35 >> Garen, is this kind of a preview for the rest of your career?
02:37 Cuz you're gonna be a Big Ten member, and you're going into Big Ten country.
02:41 I know you were probably at Michigan.
02:43 >> Yeah. >> I don't know if you went on that trip
02:43 or not. >> Yeah, no,
02:44 I was there a couple years ago.
02:45 >> But this kind of is like a launching pad almost, this game.
02:48 >> Yeah, no, it'll be fun.
02:49 It'll be good to be out there and see what their fans are like out there.
02:52 Like you said, we were at Michigan a couple years ago, but that was just a one off.
02:56 So now this year will kind of help lead us into next year.
02:59 But we still have the Pac-12 to worry about and win the last Pac-12 championship.