Redshirt Impact

Lets take a quick look at the kids who sat out last year and what they potentially are going to be bringing to the roster this season.

OG Colin Tanigawa - After a solid spring Tanigawa is the favorite to start at offensive guard. He has a bit of a mean streak that the coaches like. This move allows Erik Kohler to move outside to right tackle and compete with Ben Riva.

TE Michael Hartvigson - A shoulder injury prevented him from playing last season or he would have been the returning starter. He has soft hands and is ahead of ASJ at the moment when it comes to blocking. ASJ and Hartvigson will be #1-A and #1-B for the rest of their careers if they can stay healthy.

RE Josh Shirley - He arrived at camp late last season and the coaches decided to preserve a year of his eligibility. Once he became acclimated he was almost unstoppable at times in practice last fall and spring. He is going to be playing a hybrid position known as rush or speed end.

LB John Timu - Technically John is a grey shirt but he was also part of this class. He was a winter enrollee because he was rehabbing a knee injury. He is a competing for one of the two open starting jobs at linebacker.

DE Andrew Hudson - The coaches like Hudson as much as they like Shirley. Andrew is one of the reasons the Huskies are so deep and talented at DE this season. He is going to be backing up Jamora this season but expect him to rotate in quite a bit to keep everyone fresh.

NT Lawrence Lagafuiana - Laga has been re-sculpted by Coach Ivan over the off season. His role this season will be to provide quality reps while keeping Alameda Ta'amu fresh.

OT Ben Riva - Ben was impressive last spring until a knee injury slowed him down before the spring game. He is competing for a starting job at RT with Erik Kohler this fall.

QB Nick Montana - Nick finished second to Price this past spring but he continues to improve and press for consideration as a starter.

LB Jamaal Kearse - He came to UW as a receiver but made the transition to linebacker last season. He got plenty of reps last spring while the kids ahead of him on the depth chart were healing up from injuries. Look for him to provide support in the depth and on special teams.

WR DiAndre Campbell - Diandre has looked the part ever since he stepped on campus. He impressed last season during practice and will get opportunities for increased playing time this fall.

OT Micah Hatchie - They say he is a natural left tackle and that is where he will spend time this season backing up Senio Kelemete. He should be able to compete for a starting job in 2012.

James Atoe - The Ivan transformation is very visible with this kid. He could play inside or out but for now the coaches are using him as a guard.

Michael Cristie - The coaches are happy with his progress and he will be in the two deeps this season. All the kids that comprise the "Cascade Front" are lunch pail type of guys who will see a lot of action during their careers at Washington.

MLB Victor Burnett - Most of us figured that since Victor enrolled in the winter last year and was here for spring ball that he would play right away. The coaches decided to red shirt him last season but he did get some call outs while performing on the scout team. The competition at his position is four deep so it will be interesting to see how everything shakes out this year.

TE Evan Hudson - Look for Evan to get some meaningful playing time this season despite being behind ASJ and Hartvigson. He is as talented as any of the kids they are currently recruiting for the position. He is going to provide much needed depth for the position.

RB Deontae Cooper - Two season ending knee injuries in a row has Cooper and the coaches pondering a sixth year to make up for it if he can come back.