Josh Shirley Leaves Huskies

According to the Seattle Times, redshirt senior defensive end Josh Shirley has decided to leave the football program at UW and transfer to a school closer to his home in Southern California.

Shirley played most of last season as a reserve defensive end. His three sacks against Illinois were the only sacks he recorded for the season. As a redshirt freshman, Shirley started seven games and recorded 8.5 sacks. He recorded 18 sacks in his three years with the program.

A former high school all-american and four-star recruit, Shirley was never able to find an every-down position in college, playing more of the "tweener" role. He was considered one of the top linebacker recruits in his class but played most of his snaps at defensive end with the Huskies. But even as late as last year, Shirley was projected by some as a first round NFL Draft pick.

With Shirley's departure the Huskies are now at the 85 scholarship limit mandated by the NCAA.

Will Shirley's loss hurt the Huskies in 2014? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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