Geirean Hatchett Spring Media Day (3-6-24)

Allsooners
Allsooners
  • 6 months ago
Sooners' offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett speaks to reporters at OU Spring Media Day on March 6, 2024.
Transcript
00:00 Do you see yourself fitting in with this group? Do you know yet?
00:03 Yeah, not quite sure yet. I haven't been able to do a ton of stuff just because I've been injured.
00:07 But I would assume one of the interior positions.
00:10 I know that there's a lot of questions from fans.
00:13 Like I said earlier, there's a lot of Twitter.
00:16 What would you say to people that are maybe, I wouldn't say maybe doubting this group,
00:20 but have question marks about what you guys are able to do and how quickly you guys can build that chemistry?
00:26 I would just say before you make judgments, wait to see what we can do out there.
00:30 We got a really good group. A ton of talented guys on the O-line.
00:34 So a ton of smart, talented guys. So I think it will be a great year for the O-line.
00:37 - Appreciate it. - Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it.
00:39 Thank you.
00:40 Apologies if you've already been asked, but what's your relationship like with Bill Biedenbosch since you got here?
00:46 How's that transitioned from when he was recruiting?
00:48 Yeah, no, it's been good. He's definitely more of a coach now than a recruiter, as a lot of guys would say.
00:53 But it's been awesome. He's been really helpful in helping me learn the playbook,
00:57 helping me learn the new terminology, all that. So it's been great so far.
01:01 And how have you been able to build relationships with the other guys in the offensive line? How's that going?
01:06 Yeah, it's been really easy. Everybody kind of welcomed me with open arms.
01:09 And like I said earlier, a lot of guys are in the same boat as I am.
01:13 We all just got here, so we're all kind of figuring it out together.
01:16 But it's been really awesome to get to know all the guys in the O-line room.
01:21 You ever been to Oklahoma before you came here?
01:23 Yeah, out of high school, Oklahoma was my top school besides Washington.
01:27 So I took, I think, five or six recruiting visits here.
01:30 And then I have a ton of family in the area as well. So I grew up coming down here on vacation all the time.
01:36 Awesome. So what do you think of Oklahoma since you got here, now that you're living here?
01:39 Yeah, no, I love it. It's definitely a big switch up from Seattle.
01:42 But I think I needed to get out of the city a little bit and have a...
01:46 This is definitely more my speed down here.
01:48 And so obviously we can go back and watch the film at your old school.
01:51 But what do you think that you provide to this offense, the offensive line?
01:54 Yeah, I just think I provide a really experienced player who's played in a lot of games, big time games as well.
02:00 I think I could bring a leadership role to the O-line.
02:04 Yeah, just a mentor for the younger guys as well.
02:07 And so, you know, going back to Bill Biedenboe and this switch,
02:13 what kind of factored into your decision to come to Oklahoma?
02:16 I know that you said it was one of your top schools out of high school.
02:18 Did that stick around? I guess what factored into your decision to come?
02:22 Yeah, I mean, like I said, I always had the connection here to Oklahoma.
02:26 So that made it easier for me to make the decision to come here.
02:28 But the biggest thing for me was wanting to come and get developed by a coach like Coach Biedenboe.
02:34 You can see his track record. He's put numerous guys into the league.
02:37 And I think he can really help me excel and get the opportunity to go to the NFL.
02:41 And obviously you played against Texas last year.
02:44 You're on the schedule again this year. Are you excited for that rematch?
02:46 Oh yeah, I'm already 2-0 against Texas. So let's make it 3-0 this year.
02:50 Are there any other games on the schedule that you have circled?
02:53 Alabama, for sure. That's a big one.
02:56 Coming in second to last game of the season.
02:58 Last home game here. So it's going to be really exciting for sure.
03:02 So getting to play in the SEC, was that something that factored into your decision too?
03:06 Or what's your opinion on that?
03:08 The SEC didn't really factor too much into my decision.
03:12 Like I said, I wanted to come and get developed by a coach like Biedenboe.
03:16 It's definitely exciting to go to the SEC. The whole team is pumped for it.
03:20 So it's going to be a good ride.
03:22 I know you touched on it, but now that you're getting coached by Biedenboe, is it what you expected?
03:26 Yes, definitely. I knew what I was coming into.
03:29 And I'm happy to get coached by him every single day, no matter how hard or easy it might be.
03:35 What about Brent Vindables? What's it been like having him as your coach now that he's not just recruiting you?
03:39 It's been awesome. He's been the same guy all through the process.
03:42 Same energy, same enthusiasm all the time.
03:45 Won't tell you, will tell you straight to your face what he thinks.
03:48 And that's how I like it. Shoot it straight.