ASJ-Just What Washington Was Looking For
by ToddWilliams206 on Jan 22, 2012 9:43 AM PST
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PrintWhen Austin Seferian-Jenkins committed to Washington, football fans knew they were getting a special athlete at the tight end position-an instant impact type of player. Although he expressed interest of joining Romar's basketball team, it is always questionable about how that will work out.
In his first game in a Husky Basketball uniform, he proved he can make an instant impact on the Husky basketball team as well, but in a drastically different way. Austin's impact on the offensive side of the ball was instant, he tied for second on the team with 41 receptions, putting up 538 yards and six touchdown reception.
While the Husky football team needed him to help propel the offense, the Basketball team was looking for a big bodied defensive and rebounding presence. Coming out the one of the loudest ovations of the night, Austin made an instant impact with his physical defense and providing the team with seven rebounds before fouling out.
He may not have scored a single point, but that isn't what Romar and the Huskies are looking for from the true freshman. By providing 16 minutes of physical play, the Huskies were able to be a more physical team in the post.
This was just his first game, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses as the season goes on. Unlike with Nate Robinson, there is little chance of Austin switching to basketball full time. If he is able to keep up his two sports during his entire tenure at Washington, he looks to be a guy who is going to provide a physical presence right about when the PAC-12 play gets going.
That is exactly what this Husky basketball team needs this year, an most likely going forward. The best part of this for Romar is he is getting a big presence on the boards without using a scholarship, since Austin is obviously at Washington with a Football scholarship.
At some point down the line Husky Basketball fans are hoping for that impact low post recruit that Romar has been falling just short on, but for now, Seferian-Jenkins is here and ready to provide some quality minutes for the Husky front court.
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he put himself in great position
defensively at blocking out and getting what 8 rb’s?
offensively he kept the ’furds D honest and opened up our wing play.
once he gets involved in the offense, watch out.
good write up btw.
I think it was 7 rebounds
But I feel like his boxing out was responsible for even more. He really looked like he belonged out there.
by bigtrain21 on Jan 22, 2012 4:43 PM PST via Android app reply actions
What a Great Kid!
Hope he has a great athletic career here, get’s his degree, and has fun.
Love what ASJ Brings
Thanks for some more Bball related content by the way!
Let's add some more two-sport big men...
How about a front court next January-March featuring ASJ, Zach Banner, and Arik Armstead? Maybe if Romar continues to recruit outstanding guards but can’t land similarly talented bigs, UW will just have to become known as the place to go for top football recruits who want the opportunity to play basketball as well.
Fingers crossed...
The one thing that any football coach who lets their one of their key players do double sports, especially high impact ones like basketball, is nervous about is potential injuries that could ruin their careers or limit their play come football season. What happens in Nov and Dec when you still got regular season games and bowl games. You could see the nervous look on Sarks face during the game. Yes, football is a violent injury prone sport, but so is basketball. It’s all about how much punishment your body can take.
Basketball players knees and ankles take an absolute beating in that sport. Especially bigmen like ASJ who are asked to defend hard and rebound. It was kind of funny watching him getting called for fouls and he’s looking at the refs like, “That’s a foul?” Yep, this isn’t H.S. anymore.
I’m really torn on this because ASJ really was a difference maker in the Stanford game. Romar was on sportsradio today and you could tell he was soo damn excited about what he brings to his team. But at the same time, he’s a huge part of our plans for the football team the next 2-3 years. It’s critical to have him at 100% on game day and not dealing with season ending or even sore knees that limit his play.
As long as he can pull this off and handle the added time away from his studies, I say go for it. But still, fingers crossed time….
True, but the way I look at it is...
A guy like ASJ is probably playing a lot of basketball in the offseason whether he’s on the team or not.
Would you rather have that be at well-regulated practices/games in front of a full training staff and with referees calling fouls or in random pickup games?
Some far fetched speculation
If the huskies manage to somehow improve like no other team before them, and not only make the tournament, but get all the way to the elite-8 or beyond…. will ASJ be required to leave the bball team to attend spring football practice? Is there a rule that says he has to because he is on a football scholarship? Or would it be up to Sark to let him miss the first couple of practices?
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