:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34823911/20130921_lbm_an8_335.0.jpg)
Josh Shirley will not be returning to UW for the 2014 season, something that's been a quiet rumor for the past few weeks. Should he enroll at another school, he'll be immediately elligible as he has already graduated from the University of Washington.
He was dogged during his entire UW career by an inability to put on size to the point where he could anchor against the run. The result was a one-dimensional player who could only really be used situationally in passing downs. His on-field time plummeted this past season with the return of Hau'oli Kikaha from injury, Cory Littleton's continued evolution at Shirley's same position, and youngsters like Marcus Farria and Joe Mathis earning playing time.
Shirley had 8.5 sacks as a freshman in 2011, 6.5 in 2012, and dropped off to 3 -- all against Illinois -- this past season, finishing his UW career with 18. He also forced 9 fumbles, had 74 total tackles and 25 total tackles for loss as a Dawg.
Adam Jude is also reporting that OL Taylor Hindy is leaving the team, a sophomore who had yet to make an impact.