Husky Defensive Depth Chart
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 9:43 AM PDT
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PrintWashington is predicted to have one of the more explosive offensive attacks in the conference but defense traditionally wins titles. How do the Huskies measure up this season on D?
Defensive Tackle
Cameron Elisara is going to play three technique DT and DE this year. The coaches liked what they saw this spring and feel he will hold up better on the outside. That creates an opening for early playing time for Sione Potoae and Chris Robinson at the three technique. Semisi Tokolahi is another guy that will get a look here even though he seems more suited for the nose.
If Washington can get quality production from Potoae, Tokolahi, and Robinson inside this season it will make this a much more flexible and successful defense.
I love the collection of nose guard types we have put together. Ta'amu is going to break out this season. Tokolahi and Lagafuiana will provide him with enough rest to keep him fresh in the fourth quarter.
Deshon Matthews can play inside or out and will provide depth.
Alameda Ta'amu Jr - Semisi Tokolahi So - Lawrence Lagafuiana Fr
Sione Potoae Fr - Deshon Matthews Sr - Chris Robinson Rs-Fr
Defensive End
So is Cameron Elisara a DE or a DT?
The coaches think he will play more DE than DT.
Are Kelani Aldrich and ET healthy enough to give us 40 snaps a game?
The coaches feel that they are ready to go. The question they need to determine is how much gas they have in the tank after recovering from injuries. Both of these guys are prone to setbacks. It took Jason Wells till November to come back from an Achilles tear.
Is Josh Shirley a SLB or a DE?
Those answers won't be answered till the bell rings at training camp. I would guess that since Shirley is new that they would use him first as a situational pass rusher and speed demon on special teams. I think the future is hand down for him but the coaches will experiment with him throughout the year.
Will Jamora and Hudson play right away?
Size wise they can contribute but keep in mind the learning experience Chrichton and Pulu went through last season. If Aldrich and ET have set backs these guys will play quite a bit and unfortunately have to learn on the job.
Talia Chrichton So - Everette Thompson Jr - Haouli Jamora - Fr Brent Williams Fr
Cameron Elisara Sr - Kelani Aldrich Jr - Andrew Hudson Fr - Josh Shirley Fr
Linebacker
Mason Foster and Cort Dennison are solid but after them the pecking order is really anyone's guess until the team has been in camp a couple of weeks. The coaches really want to see somebody emerge at SLB. If nobody emerges they will move Foster back to his old slot and elevate Jordan Wallace to the starting lineup.
Victor Burnett had a strong spring and has the the backup job secured in the middle. The coaches weren't really happy with Tucker's spring or off season. He needs to step it up this fall. Vic Aiyewa and Matt Houston get one more chance to start before they end their careers as Huskies.
Josh Shirley and Jamaal Kearse are two guys to keep an eye on. Either could provide an answer at SLB.
Mason Foster Sr - Jordan Wallace So - Princeton Fuimaono Fr - Garrett Gilliliand Fr
Victor Aiyewa Sr - Matt Houston Sr - Jamaal Kearse Fr - Cooper Pelleur Fr
Cort Dennison Jr - Victor Burnett Fr - Tim Tucker So
Cornerback
The Huskies return four guys with extensive starting experience, plus two kids who looked really good this spring, and they add a prospect like Greg Ducre to the mix who has been making veterans shake their heads during informal workouts.
Trufant and Richardson ended the spring as starters. Long and McDowell are definitely considered 1-B type of guys. Boyles and Gobern both had good springs and will contribute this year. Keep an eye on Ducre.
Desmond Trufant So - Vonzell McDowell Sr - Anthony Gobern So
Adam Long So - Quentin Richardson Jr - Anthony Boyles So - Greg Ducre Fr
Safety
Nate Williams is the quarterback of this defense. The goal for Nate this season is to be more durable. He was banged up so much in games last year that he usually sat out practices during the week.
The four year starter will be teamed with either Shaumburger, Fellner, Glenn, or Walker. Justin Glenn was looking very good until he went down with a leg injury against Notre Dame. Nate Fellner filled in well and played a physical game. Walker was an early starter who gave way to Glenn and fell down the depth chart. Shaumburger was impressive this spring.
When you add talent like Sean Parker and Taz Stevenson to an experienced group like this you are adding serious depth that can play right away if needed.
Nate Williams Sr - Justin Glenn So - Sean Parker Fr - Taz Stevenson Fr - John Timu Fr
Will Shaumburger Rs- Fr - Nate Fellner So - Greg Walker So - Marquise Persley Jr
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It’s nice to see what appears to be some quality depth building up on the defensive side. Looking at the secondary, it’s exciting to see so many potential starting candidates, especially among the newer guys. The DT group also appears to be building some quality depth, and with Crichton, Hudson and Jamora there is some hope for the future at DE. The LB group is a little less certain, but there’s hope there too.
It may not be too many more years before we see the return of stout Husky defenses…
This years defense has the ability to surprise.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
All going to come down to pass rush
I like our secondary, but they need to get some consistent help up front to show their stuff. Getting more out of the front seven is a must this year.
I’m also not super high on Foster. He has big play ability, but I remember him looking exposed in coverage underneath. Hopefully that improves this year.
It looks like Cameron Elisara...
…is down to 269. Nice size for a defensive end. That kind of helps solidify the defensive line.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I think he will play tackle in three man fronts.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd actually be curious about your opinion on Foster John.
The Immaculate Interception is a great example. Two thoughts crossed my mind in order, “OMG HE CAUGHT THAT OFF HIS FOOT!” followed closely by, “If that pass was on target, his receiver would’ve been off to the races.”
Foster was admittedly cheating on that play and it worked….stuff happens.
Dick Baird loved the lightly recruited Foster the minute he set foot on campus. Dick predicted he would be an all Pac Ten player. I think he is one of the top five LB’s in the Pac 10 this year.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Arizona was killing us with that bubble screen all night.
…I think Foles completed twenty of them. It was about time someone cheated on that play.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I'll bet he does it in 4-3 looks as well.
Elisara didn’t take a single scrimmage snap at end this spring, even though there were fewer bodies there than at tackle.
I think it’s more likely he plays end in the 3-4 than the 4-3.
Count on Elisara to be on the field 90% of the time if he is healthy.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Really?
I thought I read he was moved over there, and from I recall, Sark said the move worked out well. I’m sure like you said, he’ll bounce between the inside and the outside. I think it’ll just give the Husky Defense more depth and flexibility.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
What I meant was...
…he moved over to get some reps at the defensive end position in the spring. We were dying for bodies at the DE position at that time. Sark said the move went well. Having said that if Thompson and Aldrich are healthy he may not play there at all. Still it’s nice to know he can.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
He did
Holt also said a couple of weeks ago that he was going to play more outside than inside…interesting to see what they work out during camp based on need.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 6, 2010 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
He's down in weight...
…to 269. That’s still pretty big but I’ll bet his quickness is going to be tough to deal with up front.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
what I like most
is the apparent ability to rotate decent players in without a huge dropoff in skill. It’s going to help identify those worthy to play full time and keep us healthy.
Numbers
One big reason that Oregon State has done well under Riley. The depth is ready to play and contribute. It keeps the starters fresh and wears down the opponent.
by John Berkowitz on Aug 5, 2010 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s really tough to get a read on the D. There are as many true sophomores (or younger) in the two-deeps as there are seniors. They could really surprise and be pretty decent, but at a minimum, I think they’ll show that the future looks good.
They definitely played faster last year than in the previous four or five, but improving on that is probably the key in getting significantly better this season.
The raw talent is definitely improving pretty much across the board. Now it’s up to the coaches to make something of it.
I'm suprised at the depth on D
That d-line actually looks good! (The secondary too). The LB depth is pretty young but other than that this is an exciting defense (in light of the last few years).
I REALLY like Sione Potoae as the starting three technique. John, please tell me that you heard that from a coach and it is not just an educated guess. Even if it is a guess, I’d bet you’re right.
It also seems the coaches have changed the tune a little on Elisara as DE. At the end of spring they said it would be situational and that he is a DT. BUt lately they seem to imply the opposite. I really like him at DE, especially if it keeps him healthier. With him, k aldrich, ET, and talia c at end, we suddenly have a good D line.
A few good breaks and this team is going to the RB.
One small note
Your depth chart has Marcus Trufant instead of Desmond — you might want to fix that.
by The Ancient Mariner on Aug 5, 2010 3:05 PM PDT reply actions
And here I thought he was a Seahawk.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Lots of Husky fans are glad he's not ours.
Somebody might have actually covered Reggie Williams if he was.
he WAS yours and, yes, we can't have him.
… although I’m guessing Lane Kiffin is already trying to figure out how he can find him another year of eligibility.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
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