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With Korey Durkee's graduation following the 2015 season, the Chris Petersen knew that he would have to go back to the recruiting well to help replace the man whose 43.6 yards per punt ranked third in the conference. Presumably he has done just that by signing 6-0, 200 lb. punter Van Soderberg out of Capitol High School in Olympia, whose letter of intent just rolled into the University of Washington's offices.
Though top-ranked punters are much differently evaluated than similarly-ranked every-down offensive and defensive players, Husky fans are no doubt pleased with Scout.com's evaluation of Soderberg, as the recruiting service tabs him as the nation's ninth-best punting prospect and No. 2 in the West. Soderberg committed to the Huskies in August 2015, and has remained solid ever since.
Welcome P Van Soderberg from Capital HS to the fold! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/o9kicvJvvU
— Coach Petersen (@CoachPeteUW) February 3, 2016
@vsoderberg3 is a Dawg! Special Teams weapon! #GoDawgs #Purplereighn #BuiltForLife pic.twitter.com/vHcxQFmTKH
— Bob Gregory (@CoachGregoryUW) February 3, 2016
Check out the highlights of Van's senior season below, courtesy of Hudl.