Hatchett Nearing a Choice?
Ferndale, Wash. Rivals250 offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett is from a state that the Sooners have only landed two players from in the program's history. That reality hasn't stopped Bill Bedenbaugh from pursuing Hatchett and hasn't stopped the nation's No. 9 offensive guard, and No. 228 overall player, from making five visits to Norman, Okla. in recent years.
On his most recent, visit, one that was of the official variety, Hatchett got off to something of a rocky start.
"On the way there we caught a direct flight to Oklahoma City, we were about half an hour outside of Oklahoma City and they rerouted us to Amarillo because of the weather. Then from Amarillo we had to rent a service car and they had to drive us the four hours to Norman," Hatchett said.
"It worked out, we hung out and all of that. I’ve been there, that was my fifth time there, I wasn’t missing out on too much. I was just hanging out with the coaches, we made up lots of time over the last couple of days. It worked out just fine.
"It was more of just still getting to know each other better. All the conversations I had with coach B, coach (Lincoln) Riley, they both laid it out what the best options were and how I would be used in the program and how much they want me. But besides all of that it was just getting to know them better. It was great talking to them and the entire staff all weekend."
Within that trip he had a chance to see nothing he hadn't seen before. But was able to further his bond with the Sooner staff.
"It was more, I’ve seen everything. I’ve gone through the coaches presentations, the academic presentations. It was about building relationships with the coaches, the players I would play with. Being around the guys some more, being around the coaches some more and just continuing to get to know those guys," he explained.
With a final five that includes the Sooners, the in-state Huskies, as well as Notre Dame, Stanford, and Ohio State, he admits that while his relationships grow, so does the looming specter of having to break those relationships.
"Every time I take a trip, I kind of think about that. It helps out a lot to get to know what it would be like and to develop a relationship with the coaches and players. Now I got to think about all the other places and keep working on a decision," he said.
During his visit in Norman he was joined by not only Rivals250 running back Seth McGowan but fellow offensive lineman Noah Nelson and Jonah Monheim. The group, particularly the offensive line, spent ample time with each other and though the talk didn't surround future commitments Hatchett did admit it was an appealing idea to play with other high profile prospects.
"We hung out, me and the two other officials, Jonah and Noah, we hung out all three days we were there. We didn’t relay talk much about ‘oh what are you going to do’, we’d talk about ‘these are our top few schools’ but we never really got to talking about committing this day to that school or anything like that," Hatchett recalled.
Hatchett, who has family in Edmond, Norman, and the Elk City area, says that his family is well aware of the distance of the trip from Seattle to Oklahoma City but that they've come to an understanding about his choice.
"I think for them personally they want me to think and know, as long as I let them know that it is the bet for me. My dad his whole side of the family is from that area so I don’t think they are concerned about me going that far away because I’ve got a family member’s house to go to anyway," he said.
Hatchett offered some thoughts on how, and why, he has made so many visits to Norman since the Sooners offered him long ago.
"They were my first offer so I’ve always liked them since then. Even before then I had family in there area so I always knew about Oklahoma and liked the Sooners and all that. Each time I get there I keep building relationships and I always want to get down there," he said.
Hatchett may only be a few weeks removed from his trip to Norman but also seems to feel a decision could be approaching.
"I don’t have a set date or anything but I would like to decide by early summer that way I can just focus on playing ball and doing well in school. Nothing is set in stone and you never know but that’s what I’d like to do," he said.
"Oklahoma was the only trip I have set up and so far I don’t have anything else set but I’m not completely sure what trips I will take. I’ve still got to figure out that with school. Yeah, I'm possibly thinking of taking some more trips."
Finally, just how did Oklahoma's trip rate?
"As far as a 1-10, it would be a 9 or a 10, I always have so much fun when I’m down there. Obviously being on the official visit they really ramp stuff up."