Washington took the field at three this afternoon for the second practice of the season. The Huskies are in shorts for the first three days as part of the NCAA mandated acclimatization process.
It is really hard to tell who is ready for the speed of this level and who isn't at this point. Once the pads go on the men are easily separated from the boys. Some of the young kids are going to make an impact this season and some simply are going to need a year to acclimate and get bigger.
Among the toughest positions to learn are on the offensive line and the coaches would like to find two kids out of the group of seven who are ready to play this season. Going into camp we were thinking that Kohler and Porter were the most likely but that could change over the next three weeks. Colin Tanigawa is definitely a kid with the potential to get some playing time inside.
If you are at practice definitely spend some time with the "Prince of Darkness" and his offensive linemen. If you are within earshot the vocal Coach Cozzetto will let you know exactly what he thinks of every single player as he pushes them through the paces of each drill. (Not exactly the part of the field to bring the family)
Getting back on the national stage
It was just a year or two ago when we asked which Husky other than Jake Locker could realistically expect to start at USC or any other team in the conference other than WSU? That question didn't yield too many possible answers. This year the Huskies have quite a few players that are getting national notice and that could start at a program like USC...not to mention any other team in the conference...even WSU.
Mason Foster was named to the Bednarik award watch list which is given to the nations defensive player. Jermaine Kearse was added to the The Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top WR in the country. Jake Locker and Chris Polk are on the Maxwell award list which is awarded to the best player in the country. Locker is also on something called the Heisman Trophy watch list.
UCLA is hurting
Disaster is striking early and often down at UCLA in a couple of area's they can ill afford.
Starting left guard Jeff Baca has been ruled academically ineligible pending an appeal with the NCAA. Junior defensive end Datone Jones, the only returning starter on the defensive line, broke his foot during Tuesday's practice and will be out at least a month.
It was announced that starting right tackle Mike Harris would be suspended for the opener at Kansas State because of a violation of team rules.