Looking back at recruiting

by John Berkowitz on Oct 28, 2009 7:00 AM PDT Comment 39 comments

Since we are in the bye week and everyone is a bit down because of the teams performance over the last couple of weeks I think it is a good time to take a look at exactly how this team has been constructed over the past five years.

When it is all said and done solid top 20 recruiting and steady player development over the years is what it takes to build a solid football program.

2005 Class Recruiting Class - Willingham - National Class Rank - 55

Most fans gave Tyrone a mulligan for his first class. Truth is he didn't really hit the pavement too hard because he spent his first three weeks as Husky coach in vacation in Hawaii. Only five players remain from that first class with four of them being current starters.

This was a strong in state class as you can see below but Willingham gave it barely a sniff and decided to wait till next year.

Notable In State Misses: RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon), RB Leon Jackson (Nebraska), RB Taylor Rank (South Carolina), DB Jordon Carrey (Oregon), OL Adam Grant (Arizona), OL Mat Webb (Oregon), OL Kenny Alfred (WSU), LB Anthony Felder (Cal), LB Adam Leonard (Hawaii).

OG- Morgan Rosborough - Depth

WR- Marlon Wood - (JC) Showed promise till injured

OT- Ben Ossai - 4 year starter

CB- Qwenton Freeman - (JC) Did not qualify

DE- Daniel Te'o-Nesheim - All Pac 10 Quality Player

RB- J.R. Hasty - Dismissed from team

LB- EJ Savannah - Two year starter

TE- Tim Williams - TE Quit team

DE- Darrion Jones - One year starter

DE- Tyrone Davis - Did not qualify

LB- Chris Stevens - Backup

QB- Johnny DuRocher - Backup

PK- Ryan Perkins - Retired due to injury

2006 Recruiting Class - Willingham - National Class Rank - 35

Tyrone picked up the top player in Washington who really never considered seriously going anywhere else. He didn't show a lot of aggressiveness on the recruiting trail and that cost him Taylor Mays (UW) and Steve Schilling (Michigan). Mays whose father and uncle played for UW said that he had nothing against UW but Pete Carrol seemed a lot more fun to play for. TB James Montgomery was an early commit but defected to Cal late in the process leaving Willingham without a top RB in the class. Ty tried to fill in some holes with JC talent but that didn't work out. He did pick up a top transfer named Michael Houston from Texas but a wild night at Ricks in Lake City followed by a hijacked cab ended his brief career at UW without a single carry.

Notable In State Misses: DE Kevin Kooyman (WSU), OT Steve Schilling (Michigan), DT Alex Linnenkohl (OSU), S Taylor Mays (USC), CB Brandon Jones (Cal)

QB- Jake Locker - All Pac 10

FB- Paul Homer - Three Year Starter

WR- Marcel Reese (JC) WR Occasional starter who was out of shape

WR- D'Andre Goodwin - Leading receiver for two years

RB- Leilyon Myers - Did Not qualify

RB- Michael Houston (T) Dismissed from team

OG- Ryan Tolar - Three year starter

OT- Aaron Mason (JC) - Never played quit the team

DS- Danny Morovick - Four Year Deep Snapper

OT- Cody Habben - Two Year Starter

OT- Brandon Jefferson (JC) - Did Not Qualify

DT- Cameron Elisara - Two Year Starter

DT- Derek Kosub - Quit the team

LB- Anthony Atkins - (JC) Never played quit the team

LB- Donald Butler - All Pac 10

LB- Matt Houston - Depth

CB- Jordan Murchison (JC) - CB Kicked off the team

CB- Matt Mosley - Has spot started and is now on the spot team

S- Ashley Palmer (JC) - Did not qualify

S- Jason Wells (JC) - S One year starter- Injured since second year

S- Jake Merrill - Quit after first practice

2007 Recruiting Class - Willingham - National Class Rank 29

WR Devin Aguilar and LB Mason Foster seem to be the only players in this class with star potential after three seasons.

Notable In State Misses: QB Kellen Moore (BSU), TE Trey Henderson (USC)

QB- Ronnie Fouch - Backup who started last season when Locker was injured

TB- Brandon Johnson - Quit school

TB- Willie Griffin - Depth

TB- Curtis Shaw - Depth

WR- Devin Aguilar - All Pac 10 Talent

WR- Alvin Logan - Scout team safety

WR- Anthony Boyles - Scout Team

TE- Chris Izbicki - Backup

OG- Scott Shugert - Scout Team

OT- Tyler Fancher - Probable starter in 2009 till injured

OG- Mark Armelin - Scout Team

OT- Imeka Eweka - OT Did not qualify

DT- Tyrone Duncan - Back Up

OG- Nick Wood - Surprise starter afte rmoving over from defense this year.

DE- Kalani Aldrich - Back up

FB- Austin Sylvester - Back up

LB- Mason Foster - All Pac 10 talent

CB- Marquis Persley - Scout Team

CB- Byron Davenport (JC) - Injured lost of his career

CB- Vonzell Mc Dowell - Spot starter

CB- Quinton Richardson - CB Starter

S- Nate Williams - Two year Starter

RB- Brandon Yakaboski - Likely retired because of injuries

S- Victor Aiyewa Backup Safety

PK- Kevin Folk - Overcame injuries to have a very good 2009 so far

P- Jared Ballman - (JC) Punted for two years

2008 Recruiting Class - Willingham - National Class Rank 14

This was Tyrone's finest class at Washington and he was aided by signing 11 players from the state of Washington. It is a fine class that is performing well in year two despite above average attrition (6).

Chris Polk obviously is the star of this strong class. Kavario Middleton, Jermaine Kearse, Alameda Ta'amu, Senio Kelemete, Everrette Thompson, Justin Glenn, Adam Long, and Mykena Ikehara All have very gright futures.

What is notable though is that Ty whiffed on three in state players that could be starting right now on the offensive and defensive line which are very depth challenged.

Notable In State Misses: OL Nick Cody (Oregon), OL David DeCastro (Stanford), DL Trevor Guyton (California)

QB- Dominique Blackman - Did not qualify

QB- Luther Leonard - Scout Team WR

RB- David Freeman - Grades

RB- Terrance Dailey - Grades

RB- Chris Polk - All Pac 10 Talent

WR- Cody Bruns - Backup

WR- Jordan Polk - Backup

WR- Jermaine Kearse - Starter

TE- Kavario Middleton - Starter

OT- Terrance Thomas - Probably career ending injury

OT- Drew Schaeffer - Backup

OG- Mykena Ikehara - Backup

OG- Allan Carroll - Grades

DT- Craig Noble - Retired due to congenital heart condition

DT- Alameda Ta'amu - Starter

OG- Senio Kelemete - Starter

DT- Everrette Thompson - Spot Starter

LB- Bradley Roussel - Grades

LB- Kurt Mangum - Scout Team

S- Justin Glenn - Starter till injured this season

CB- Anthony Gobern - Scout Team

CB- Adam Long - Current Starter

S- Vince Taylor - Injured

S- Greg Walker - Backup

RB- Johri Fogerson - Started at safety last year and is the primary backup at RB this year

2009 Recruiting Class - Sarkisian - Class Rank 66

Sarks first class got off to an extremely late start. Like Willingham before him he was picking up the pieces of a coach who was fired early in the season and stopped recruiting in September.

The difference though is rather than go to Hawaii and golf for three weeks Sark hit the recruiting trail within an hour of his first press conference and that visit yielded a player with NFL potential in CB Desmond Trufant.

Another immediate star was WR James Johnson who moved into a starting job in his first game. Sark did visit Hawaii but rather than spend his time golfing he brought back three players.

To be fair S Nathan Fellner, TE Marlion Bennett, DE Andru Pulu, all committed under the previous regime.

Sarkisian gambled by bringing in six late qualifying JC's. Three of them qualified and only two are on the current roster.

Notable In State Misses: WR Gino Simone (WSU), WR Kirby Moore (BSU), OL Grant Enger (OSU), DT Deandre Coleman (Cal), Jamal Atofau (WSU), DB Casey Locker (WSU), CB Nolan Washington (WSU)

QB- Keith Price - Scout Team RS

WR- James Johnson - Starter

TE- Marlion Barnett - Scout Team RS

TE- Dorson Boyce (JC) - Backup

FB - Kimo Makaula - Scout Team RS

OL - Daniel Mafoe (JC) - Did not qualify

DT- Chris Robinson - Injured RS

DT- Johnny Tivao - Did not qualify

DT- Semisi Tokolahi - Special teams

DE - Talia Chrichton - Backup

DE - Andru Pulu - Special Teams

LB- Jordan Wallace - Special Teams

LB- Tim Tucker - Scout Team RS

CB- Desmond Trufant - Starter

CB- Dominique Gaisie - Did not qualify

CB- David Batts - Dismissed from team

S- Nathan Fellner - Spot Starter

S- Will Shamburger - Injured RS

P- Will Mahan - Starting Punter

0 recs | Comment 39 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Sark

This is off-topic, but coach seemed to have no second thoughts about his clock management or going for it on fourth down.
I was wondering about your reaction to his comments, because you’ve been critical of his reluctance to go for field goals on fourth down, and you called his clock management just before halftime in the Oregon game “atrocious.”

by abgo on Oct 28, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It has been atrocious for a couple games, Sark says " I will always be agressive in my play calling" that said, his clock management with play calling say otherwise with the best qb in the league. Timeouts unused and baffling play calling just shows unprepared situational experience, he’ll get better…..I hope.

by DAWGFATHER91 on Oct 28, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem...

with either in the Oregon game. The play call on 4th might have been better but that’s about it.

by Snostrebla on Oct 28, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unlike the ASU game, I had no problem with Sark’s time management at the end of the 1st half against Oregon. His rationale was simple. Had he used his timeouts, and the Huskies failed to get a first down, it would have left Oregon’s offense with enough time to pick up points before the end of the half.

by lowermainlanddawg on Oct 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

FYI: Just heard Anthony Boyles has been switched to CB and may start against UCLA. Evidently the coaches were very impressed with his 1 on 1 capabilities.

by Snostrebla on Oct 28, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At 6'3 he could be a BEAST!

If he is as good as they are making him out to be after one practice then next year we could have a monster backfield with Boyles and Trufant

by bigdave967 on Oct 28, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s trying out the CB position, but I think it’s really jumping the gun to think he might play vs. UCLA, to say nothing of starting.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to see him move

but as my post below states, if he gets immediately playing time, it’s very concerning for many other reasons.

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Oct 28, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Start?

That would be a surprise but one thing we have harped on since last winter is that UW doesn’t have many true CB’s. Moving Boyles to defense is a good expereiment…starting against UCLA…not too sure about that.

by John Berkowitz on Oct 28, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, just plain wow.

I find the news about Boyles both good and bad. I love it when you can move a guy, who had very little chance of seeing the field, to a position and he catches on quickly and has the possibility of significant playing time. I think Boyles could have a solid future as a DB.

But, what I find really concerning is how quickly he could see playing time, let alone start at DB. There are plenty of db’s that will get passed up, Mosley, Richardson, McDowell, Long . . . All of which have been playing corner for quite a bit longer than Boyles. I am starting to get concerned that our coaches are looking for a quick fix and not trying to coach up the current players. For example, Boise State, not known for great recruits, but known for taking average players and coaching them up into above average players.

I fully understand that we are trying to find the best fit for each and every player. But how does Nick Wood go from being a backup d-lineman to a starting o-lineman? How does Boyles go from being a deep backup WR to a potential starting DB? I am VERY happy for both players, I hope they become ALL PAC10 players, but this trend is becoming concerning.

I have no doubt Willingham didn’t have every player in their best position, I have no doubt that these players deserve every second of playing time they are getting. I am hoping that this is due to other players not buying into this coaching staff and that the players moving are hard working guys that are buying into the staff. But I really want to see players getting coached up, continually improving and growing into great players. The biggest downfall of the Willingham era was players who showed absolutely no growth from their sophomore years to their senior years.

P.S. – I am seeing player growth on offense, but not nearly as much on defense.

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Oct 28, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But how does Nick Wood go from being a backup d-lineman to a starting o-lineman?

Because our OL is very short on quality depth, and when Christine went down, that opened up a spot. Many of us had been calling for Wood to be switched to OG for a while now given his lack of movement up the DT depth chart. In a healthy, well-developed and recruited OL, Wood is still a backup.

But, what I find really concerning is how quickly he could see playing time, let alone start at DB.

First off, I’m not sure where Snostrebla is hearing that Boyles is a candidate to start vs. UCLA – all I’ve seen reported at various sites is that he’s being tried out at CB right now.

Secondly, it’s widely accepted that Boyles is a very good athlete. What has held him back at WR has been a slow grasp of the playbook and iffy hands in practice. If he proves to be a pretty good CB, I don’t think that’s necessarily such a knock on the coaching staff failing with the other guys on the roster – it’s just a testament to Boyles’ inherent athleticism.

Let’s keep in mind the positive developments we’ve seen on defense – Elisara has improved (when he can play that is), Butler has improved, Dennison has improved, Glenn looked good before getting injured. Trufant and Fellner have shown enough growth to start as true frosh.

I think it’s too early to make any conclusive judgments on how this staff develops talent, but there are some notable positive early returns, starting with Jake’s transition to a pro-style QB and Chris Polk’s emergence as a potential All-Conference RB at some point in his career.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, it's too early to tell, I'm just find the trend to be a little concerning.

I’m curious why guys like Schaefer, Ikehara, and even the big Morgan Rosborough got passed up so quickly. I know Rosborough is overweight and out of shape, Ikehara was pretty sick, but it’s the trend that I find concerning.

You bring out some good points, I’m pleased with the development we’ve seen out of our second string LB’s, which will greatly help out when we lose Savannah and Butler next year. Needless to say there is hope.

I don’t want to take anything away from Woods and Boyles, they are deserving of any playing time they get, it’s great to see guys step up. I just wish we saw more current backups stepping up instead of the guys who are brand new to a position jumping over them,. It causes me to worry that our backups aren’t able to contribute, and thus makes me wonder if they are getting enough coaching. It could just as easily be guys who aren’t buying in, or aren’t willing to put in the amount of work to be a Pac10 player, only time will tell.

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Oct 28, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ikehara lost a lot of weight this past off-season due to illness. He’s got the tenacity and the technique, but needs to get bigger. And keep in mind that he and Schaefer are still just a 2nd year players. Rosborough has never gotten in the kind of shape needed to contribute meaningful minutes.

Again, it could be as simple as Woods just finding the right fit for his talent. He came in with some buzz as a recruit given his tremendous strength numbers and his wrestling background. Sounds like maybe he was just miscast as a DT. It’s not like the kid was a total stiff as a football player – it just sounds like OG was where he belonged, and it took a while for the coaches to try him out there.

I don’t think it necessarily says anything about this staff’s ability to develop talent. It could (and probably is) more of an indictment of the previous staff’s ability to judge talent and to put them in the right positions.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Husky Honks

I listened to the Husky Honks on KJR today and Softy said he talked with a coach (maybe Holt but not sure if he said exactly who) and was told that Boyles was tried at CB and showed very good 1 on 1 skills. He said he was told it was a good bet that Boyles would play against UCLA. I don’t know this for a fact but I’m guessing that Boyles played CB in high school, also take into account that this staff LOVES bigger CB’s and most of ours are under 6’. For anyone thats stood next to Boyles he is at least 6’2, skinny and has very long arms. He has the potential to be outstanding. He doesn’t seem to be cracking the 2-deeps for WR so, like DJ always said, you take your best atheletes and find a way to get them on the field.

by Snostrebla on Oct 28, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK. There’s a difference between him seeing action vs. UCLA and him starting – I’d be a little surprised if he adapted so quickly to CB that he started over Long or Richardson.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could of swore Softy...

was talking about him starting. I don’t know if that was what a coach told him or Softy getting carried away but I think he said something to that effect. And Softy can definitly get carried away at times.

by Snostrebla on Oct 28, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know Boyles has gotten a lot of reps with the 1st team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a whole lot other than the staff wants to get a real good look at him.

by kirkd on Oct 29, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Starting?

UCLA with their weak passing offense might be an ideal situation to break him in…staring I don’t know…sounds like they have been happy with Long so far.

by John Berkowitz on Oct 29, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's probably just...

…giving a athletic and TALL kid a shot out there and seeing what he can do. Maybe situationally he’ll get to play. Goodness knows I’d like to see some nickel being played and a 6’3" kid looks great out there defending the tall receivers of today.

by doubledeucedawg on Oct 28, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guys get passed up...just the way it is...

Not sure if the kids you mentioned are pac 10 CB’s

by John Berkowitz on Oct 28, 2009 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Current verbals:

WR 81 Taz Stevenson
(Mililani HS)
Mililani, HI 6-2/190 10/22/2009
  Washington
RB NR Jesse Callier
(Warren HS)
Downey, CA 5-11/186/4.50 10/20/2009
  Washington
RB 23 Deontae Cooper
(Citrus Hill HS)
Perris, CA 5-11/175 09/16/2009
  Washington
OT 21 Erik Kohler
(Oaks Christian HS)
Westlake Village, CA 6-5/285/4.90 08/24/2009
  Washington
OLB 80 Brent Williams
(William Howard Taft HS)
Woodland Hills, CA 6-2/205 08/19/2009
  Washington
WR 125 John Timu
(Jordan HS)
Long Beach, CA 6-2/195 08/18/2009
  Washington
MLB 73 Princeton Fuimaono
(Jordan HS)
Long Beach, CA 6-1/205 08/17/2009
  Washington
WR 219 DiAndre Campbell
(Oakland Technical HS)
Oakland, CA 6-2/175/4.50 07/06/2009
  Washington
K 6 Alejandro Maldonado
(Colton HS)
Colton, CA 5-10/180 06/28/2009
  Washington
TE 40 Michael Hartvigson
(Bothell HS)
Bothell, WA 6-6/235 06/14/2009
  Washington
CB 26 Keanon Lowe
(Jesuit HS)
Portland, OR 5-10/170 06/14/2009
  Washington
OG 21 Colin Porter
(Bothell HS)
Bothell, WA 6-4.5/300 06/12/2009
  Washington
QB 21 Nick Montana
(Oaks Christian HS)
Westlake Village, CA 6-1/185 06/09/2009
  Washington
FB 2 Zach Fogerson
(O’Dea HS)
Seattle, WA 6-1.5/225/4.65 05/14/2009
  Washington
WR 38 Jamaal Kearse
(Lakes HS)
Lakewood, WA 6-2/200/4.59 04/07/2009
  Washington
OT 50 Ben Riva
(O’Dea HS)
Seattle, WA 6-6/285/5.00 04/06/2009
  Washington
OLB 25 Darius Waters
(Lakes HS)
Lakewood, WA 6-2/215/4.64 03/16/2009
  Washington
OLB 21 Chris Young
(Auburn Senior HS)
Auburn, WA 6-1/215 03/13/2009
  Washington
RB 29 Melvin Davis
(Nathaniel Narbonne HS)
Harbor City, CA 6-2/220 03/02/2009
  Washington
DT 7 Sione Potoae
(Lakes HS)
Lakewood, WA 6-3/285/4.90 02/12/2009
  Washington

by DAWGFATHER91 on Oct 28, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

looks top 20 already

What he’s done on the trail already with an 0-12 team tells you he knows how to recruit. With no big 5 stars in state (besides Heaps who was a BYU lock until Sark made it a battle) he’s in a bad spot this year trying to get kids to leave home.

With Cali’s 2nd best QB (with the most upside), best OT, leading rusher (cooper) and a host of other upside kids, he’s doing an amazing job. He’s keeping the best WA kids at home and it looks like we’ll land some big Hawaian hogs to boot.

by B Money on Oct 28, 2009 2:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I’m optimistic about this class, but at the moment it suffering the same problems that Ty’s best classes suffered from – not enough quality linemen. He’s made a good start with commitments from Kohler, Porter, Riva and Potoae, but he needs another 2-3 OL and another 1-2 DT and a bigger DE to go with the skinny Williams.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, and I don't doubt that those positions will be bolstered come February.

by thecassino on Oct 28, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why's that?

Just curious why you think that?

by doubledeucedawg on Oct 28, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops!

Sorry Cassino I misread what you wrote! I too am confident we will have those 2 or 3 OLineman onboard by signing day. Someone said and I can’t remember where I heard this, it may have been on Sark’s radio show but this guy thought Hawaii was going to provide a few more recruits. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

by doubledeucedawg on Oct 28, 2009 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's all good

by thecassino on Oct 28, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Overall, Ty’s recruiting classes weren’t that bad IMO other than the disastrous 2005 class. That’s not to say he didn’t mess up by missing on some in-state studs like Mays, Schilling, Cody, DeCastro and Guyton, but at a glance they were decent classes and show there’s some talent on this team.

Closer examination though reveals the big problems – not enough talented linemen until 2008, and not enough talented DB’s.

2005 – Only Ossai has been worth anything, and ideally he’d be a backup. DTN was obviously a nice find. No secondary help at all in that class.

2006 – Tolar was a good pickup, Habben & Elisara are decent players that ideally provide depth and then start as 5th year Seniors. Still, not enough quality linemen in this class. In the secondary, Wells had star quality but couldn’t stay healthy. An almost complete failure in DB recruiting, compounding the whiff in 2005.

2007 – Another below-par recruiting haul of linemen. Skylar Fancher had some potential but he can’t stay healthy, so who knows if he’ll end up contributing. None of the rest of the OL have shown they have starting potential yet. Duncan has been OK and Woods has surprisingly been able to jump in as a starter at G after being switched from DT, but that’s probably only because of injury and a real lack of OL depth.

Recruiting for the DB’s improved, with Nate Williams and Quinton Richardson providing some talent. Aiyewa is still a project, McDowell hasn’t panned out and we’ve heard little from Persley. An OK haul, but not nearly enough to overcome the complete whiffs of 2005 & 2006.

2008 – Things are starting to improve with this class. Ikehara and Kelemete show a lot of promise, Schaefer may start before his career is over and will certainly provide depth. Thomas was a wash though. Noble unfortunately had to quit, but Ta’amu has great potential as does Thompson.

The secondary recruiting improved too – Glenn & Long are starters & Walker provides some depth.

2009 – Total whiff on OL, which could hurt us down the road if Sark isn’t able to fill in with JC’s. DL recruiting pulled a potential stud in Tokolahi. Pulu & Crichton obviously have potential as both have played as true frosh. Robinson, we have no idea yet.

Secondary recruiting could turn out to be really good. Trufant is already a stud, Fellner is obviously doing well. Shamburger, we have no idea yet.

Looking at that, it’s pretty clear why our OL is not a strength currently, and will be thin for a while. DL is looking slightly better for the future, but still below-par currently. It’s also clear why our secondary has struggled, but there is some hope for the future with Trufant, Long & Fellner.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed!

by DAWGFATHER91 on Oct 28, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were terrible

Kirk you surprise me.

by John Berkowitz on Oct 28, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are a number of decent players in those classes. 2005 was obviously a very bad class – low in numbers to start, lots of attrition, most of the rest failed to develop.

But 2006 has a lot of pretty good players – Locker, Homer, Tolar, Butler. Wells was good before injury. Elisara was starting to come around this year until the stingers acted up. Habben is a guy that would normally be a starter in his 5th season but has had to player earlier than that due to need. Not a great class, but I wouldn’t call it terrible.

2007 isn’t horrible either – Aguilar and Foster are pretty good, Williams is decent. Izbicki, Aldrich, Richardson, Boyles, Logan, Fancher – they all still have potential. Aiyewa, Duncan and Wood provide nice depth. Ballman was decent.

2008 obviously has a lot of potential, I don’t think anyone disputes that.

As I said John, there were real flaws with the classes when you look at them as a whole – not nearly enough good linemen or DB’s, but in general they really weren’t that bad (aside from 2005). By UW standards they were below par, with the possible exception of 2008. But 2006-2008 were not terrible.

Sark’s first class will hopefully be the worst he has here, but he did quite a bit better with a late start and low numbers than Ty did.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Richardson

So has Richardson been drowned in the depth chart?

by AllEyezOnMe on Oct 28, 2009 4:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

A little but...

I believe Richardson has also had a nagging ankle injury.

by Snostrebla on Oct 28, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think he’s “drowned”, but obviously the coaches felt like at this point in the season Long was giving them better play. It’s all about competition with this staff, and maybe part of the promotion of Long over Richardson is to see how Q reacts, and whether he pushes hard to regain his position.

by kirkd on Oct 28, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toought about playing a lot of guys...

It’s great to see them trying new guys, mixing things up and hearing about it, the process, etc.

However, what is really great is that all of these guys will head into the offseason believing they have a legitimate shot at starting or playing significantly going forward. That alone will do wonders for their drive and hasten development into legitimate Pac-10 caliber football players. No dog houses, no favorites for obtuse reasons, etc. Just lift, practice and go out and play, as well as leaving a door open for those that play better than they practice.

Now, just go get three wins and that elusive bowl game.

by GoDawgs! on Oct 28, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

richardson

I think he got beched a little premature, he’s one of our best tackler’s and is alway’s around the ball, i would of put him in for savannah against oregon to get that little RB that wasrunning amock.

I hope richardson get’s back on the feild soon, i like him at DB.

Also want them to let fellner finish the year at safety, go dawgs.

by justicebeau on Oct 29, 2009 12:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs