QB Ethan Garbers Enters Transfer Portal

247 Sports first reported that Washington freshman QB Ethan Garbers has entered the transfer portal. The news was confirmed by the Seattle Times.

The move isn’t completely out of left field but still has to be considered unexpected. Washington started the 2020 season with a 4-way competition at quarterback which was ultimately won by redshirt freshman Dylan Morris. Now it appears all 3 of his competitors have departed after Jacob Sirmon transferred to Central Michigan and Kevin Thomson announced he will attempt a professional career in the last week.

5-star QB Sam Huard is set to enter the program next season and the move by Garbers suggests he doesn’t think he’s going to beat out the combo of Morris and Huard any time soon. Garbers had one of the most prolific senior seasons in California state history as he threw for over 5,000 yards with 83 total TDs for an undefeated team.

If Garbers doesn’t withdraw from the portal then Washington is down to just 2 scholarships QBs for the 2020 season. And with Sam Huard deciding to stay and play his high school season in the spring it means that Morris is the only scholarship QB projected to be on the roster for spring practices. Washington has brought in several walk-ons at the position in recent years and we’ll see if any have performed well enough to earn a scholarship. If not, then it seems like a lock that the Huskies will bring in someone at the position via the transfer portal to give them some depth (likely a grad transfer that understands they’re not likely to see the field outside of injury).

With the double class caused by the mulligan year of eligibility in 2020 we may see some players transferring who might not have in prior years. Although in the current day and age it’s not a shock to see any quarterback transfer if he doesn’t have a clear path to the starting job.

It’s extremely disappointing that it appears we’ll never see Ethan take a snap in a Husky uniform. Still, we wish him the best and hope he’s able to find the opportunity it appears he didn’t think he’d get at Washington.