UW Dawg Pound - 2016 Camp Preview SeriesAll I Blogged Was Purplehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51197/uw-fav.png2016-08-04T09:23:10-07:00http://www.uwdawgpound.com/rss/stream/120628732016-08-04T09:23:10-07:002016-08-04T09:23:10-07:00Fall Camp Preview: Passing Attack
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Washington at Arizona State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jUy2Lc8g7Hk5G6YrOFe-PjA-cG4=/0x0:2515x1677/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50294937/usa-today-8925519.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Washington’s passing game improved dramatically from the beginning to the end of the 2015 season. Now, that improvement will go as far as quarterback Jake Browning can take it.</p> <p id="H2RqGs">Last month, the ESPN Pac-12 Blog ranked <span>Washington</span>’s trio of quarterback <span>Jake Browning</span>, running back <span>Myles Gaskin</span> and wide receiver <span>John Ross</span> <a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/101222/ranking-pac-12s-offensive-triplets-no-2-washington">as the second-best set of offensive triplets in the conference</a>. Though Washington ranked just a middling fifth in the Pac-12’s yards-per-attempt statistic last year (7.9; Stanford led the conference at 9.3), expectations that the offense will continue to improve the way it did over the latter half of 2015 has given many fans and pundits reason to believe that Washington’s passing attack has the potential to cause some real headaches for opposing defenses this fall.</p>
<p id="oDgPjM"><strong>The Players</strong></p>
<p id="Kde5yh">
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Jersey</th> <th>Name</th> <th>Pos</th> <th>Ht</th> <th>Wt</th> <th>Year</th> <th>Att</th> <th>Comp</th> <th>Yds</th> <th>TDs</th> <th>INTs</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Jake Browning</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>205</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>369</td>
<td>233</td>
<td>2,955</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Tony Rodriguez</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>6-3</td>
<td>191</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>K.J. Carta-Samuels</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>219</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>124</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Blake Gregory</td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>6-3</td>
<td>170</td>
<td>Freshman (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td><span>Daniel Bridge-Gadd</span></td>
<td>QB</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>195</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td><b>393</b></td>
<td><b>243</b></td>
<td><b>3,079</b></td>
<td><b>16</b></td>
<td><b>11</b></td>
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Jersey</th> <th>Name</th> <th>Pos</th> <th>Ht</th> <th>Wt</th> <th>Year</th> <th>Rec</th> <th>Yds</th> <th>TDs</th>
</tr>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>John Ross III (2014)</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>196</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>371</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Jeff Lindquist</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-3</td>
<td>244</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Dante Pettis</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>187</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>414</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Myles Gaskin</td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>193</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>6</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td><span>Jomon Dotson</span></td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>175</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Aaron Fuller</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>177</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Chico McClatcher</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-7</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>78</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Darrell Daniels</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-4</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>Senior</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td><span>Andre Baccellia</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>166</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>Quinten Pounds</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>178</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td><span>Lavon Coleman</span></td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>220</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>Logan Hurst</td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>186</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>Kamari Pleasant</td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>195</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>Sean McGrew</td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-7</td>
<td>173</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28</td>
<td>Nik Little</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-5</td>
<td>212</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>29</td>
<td>Josh Rasmussen</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>188</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>30</td>
<td><span>Gavin McDaniel</span></td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-8</td>
<td>188</td>
<td>Sophomore (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>31</td>
<td><span>Drew Before</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>201</td>
<td>Senior (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>40</td>
<td><span>Ralph Kinne</span></td>
<td>TB</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>216</td>
<td>Junior (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td>Mike Petroff</td>
<td>FB/TE</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>235</td>
<td>Freshman (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>80</td>
<td><span>Max Richmond</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>5-9</td>
<td>182</td>
<td>Sophomore (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>81</td>
<td>Brayden Lenius</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-5</td>
<td>228</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>307</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>82</td>
<td><span>Jordan Chin</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-0</td>
<td>151</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>84</td>
<td>Michael Neal</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-4</td>
<td>237</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>85</td>
<td><span>David Ajamu</span></td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-5</td>
<td>246</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>86</td>
<td><span>Taelon Parson</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>195</td>
<td>Junior (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>87</td>
<td>Forrest Dunivin</td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-4</td>
<td>200</td>
<td>Junior (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>88</td>
<td>Drew Sample</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-5</td>
<td>260</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>89</td>
<td><span>John Gardner</span></td>
<td>WR</td>
<td>6-3</td>
<td>183</td>
<td>Sophomore (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>94</td>
<td>Derek Hunter</td>
<td>TE</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>227</td>
<td>Junior (walk-on)</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>98</td>
<td><span>Will Dissly</span></td>
<td>TE/DL</td>
<td>6-4</td>
<td>273</td>
<td>Junior</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
<td>--</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td><b>117</b></td>
<td><b>1,534</b></td>
<td><b>12</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p id="AOOe5G">Jake Browning’s growth and progression toward the end of the 2015 season is a large — perhaps the largest — reason why the Huskies are being picked as a potential Pac-12 champion. In the last three games of the season, Washington took on teams with pass defenses ranking No. 112 (Oregon State), No. 49 (Washington State) and No. 35 (Southern Miss); against them, Browning completed 55 of 74 attempts (74.3 percent) for 698 yards (9.4 yards per attempt) and four touchdowns against one interception. In addition, his 2,955 passing yards were the fifth-most in school history, and obliterated <span>Jake Locker</span>’s 2007 freshman passing record of 2,062 yards.</p>
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<p id="E1mOlX">However, the gulf between Browning and his backup, likely to be either <span>K.J. Carta-Samuels</span> or <span>Tony Rodriguez</span>, is vast; in fact, <span>Carta-Samuels</span> is the only quarterback on the roster other than Browning who has attempted a pass in a Husky uniform. If Browning stays healthy, the sky’s the limit for this offense; if he goes down, and Chris Petersen is forced yet again to start from scratch at quarterback, then the talk of Washington being a Pac-12 contender will likely go away as quickly as it came.</p>
<p id="VmTPez">At receiver, Husky fans are salivating at the return of <span>John Ross</span> III, who showed no loss of speed following two meniscus tears in his knee that forced him to sit out the 2015 season <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/3/7/11172480/washington-huskies-chris-petersen-spring-practice-husky-combine-results">by running a 4.25-second hand-timed 40-yard dash at last spring’s Husky Combine</a>. Ross is unquestionably one of the most dangerous home-run hitters in the Pac-12, as evidenced by his seven touchdowns in 2014 coming off plays of 20, 91, 55, 75, 86 and 100 yards. However, in his career thus far, he’s accounted for just 33 receptions and 579 yards, and only two touchdowns against Pac-12 opponents.</p>
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<p id="hYd7Mk">It seems clear, then, the Washington is going to need at least one other receiver to step up into a 40-, 50- or even 60-catch role. <span>Dante Pettis</span> seems to be a good candidate for doing so; no one on the team returning in 2016 hauled in more receptions than his 30 last year, and his 13.8 yards per reception was 17th-best in the conference. <span>Brayden Lenius</span> and his 6-5, 220 lb. frame is a good candidate to seize the spotlight, too; he caught just 26 balls last year but scored on three of them, all in the red zone.</p>
<p id="6LAQ8d">Tight end <span>Joshua Perkins</span> became one of Jake Browning’s favorite safety nets last year, as the true freshman connected with him for at least one completion in every game in which he threw a pass. Browning will presumably try to replicate that chemistry this season with senior <span>Darrell Daniels</span>, who caught 19 passes for 250 yards last year as <span>Perkins</span>’ understudy. Another good candidate for taking on an increased role in the offense is redshirt sophomore <span>Drew Sample</span>, who scored twice on 13 catches last year. Lastly, the group’s biggest wildcard might be <span>Jeff Lindquist</span>, who moved to tight end this spring after playing quarterback for his first four years in Seattle.</p>
<p id="Qjnblw">Even though Myles Gaskin seized the starting tailback role by the season’s midpoint in 2015, <span>Dwayne Washington</span> continued to earn significant playing time by proving himself an invaluable asset in the passing game, both as a blocker and as a check-down option. By the end of the year, he had accounted for 25 catches, 315 yards and three touchdowns; those numbers rank fourth, fourth and tied for first, respectively, among Washington’s players last season. Finding his replacement, then, is going to be one of running backs coach Keith Bhonopha’s principle tasks this fall. <span>Lavon Coleman</span> would seem to have the physicality to fill that role, but with just 13 career receptions, it seems unrealistic to project such a leap for him to make in just one year. With so many big-bodied tight ends, don’t be surprised to see Washington utilize in-line tight end sets more frequently to help shore up the team’s pass-blocking if the running backs struggle.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/8/4/12347550/washington-football-2016-fall-camp-preview-passing-attackRyan Priest2016-08-01T18:49:14-07:002016-08-01T18:49:14-07:00Camp Preview: Ground Game
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<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>If the Huskies are to be serious contenders, they must run the ball consistently in 2016</p> <p id="xp3F3Z">Attention Husky football fans: this is the most important camp preview you will read. As far as DawgPound articles go, it won’t be the <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/2/21/11054906/15-in-15-chris-petersen-is-firmly-in-charge-of-washington-football" target="_blank">most well written</a> (I’m not Chris Landon), it won’t be the <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/6/24/12010184/sit-back-relax-and-enjoy-the-show" target="_blank">quirkiest and most fun to read</a> (I’m no Gabey Lucas) and it won’t take you on a <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/6/21/11984714/laws-prove-no-match-for-footballs-influence-alabama-cam-robinson-laurence-hootie-jones" target="_blank">high school joy ride</a> with moments rivaling ‘Talladega Nights’ (I was never a rockstar teen like Ryan Priest). Still, this is a must-read because the running game is the single most important element of football. Yes, the game has become pass-happy. Yes, turnovers can decide outcomes. But if a team can line up, show run, give the ball to their running back and successfully move the chains, the offense will stay on the field. A good running attack makes things easier on the passing game and allows rest for your own defense. In short: Run the ball + stop the opponent from running the ball = win.</p>
<p id="PbUIcN">Defense versus the run is equally as important, but not nearly as important for the 2016 Huskies as the offense’s ability to establish a running game. Last season, UW was 9th in the Pac-12 conference in rushing offense with 163 yards per game and a 4.5 YPC average. Those numbers aren’t awful, but the 95 YPG and measly 3.02 yards per carry in the five games against defenses ranked in the S&P top 50 is pure crap and must improve if this team is to contend.</p>
<p id="4ORXR2">Every year around this time my dad will ask me "So, how do we look?" He’s a UW alum and season ticket holder since 1953; a huge fan obviously. That being said, he is 84 years old and has a hard time remembering that my name is John without thinking about it for a second, therefore he needs yearly (ok, daily) refreshers on the Huskies’ outlook. I will tell him about the QB situation, UW’s outstanding RB du jour, and the accenting defensive prowess. He’ll digest that info, nod as he processes it, then after a pause will inquire: "How is the offensive line?"</p>
<p id="zcxtKi">"Well, they return a lot of guys." I offer up.</p>
<p id="lOvT5M">"Okay," another pause. "Are they any good?"</p>
<p id="CcL3Eg">The longest pause of all belongs to me; "No, Dad. They are not. They <em>could</em> be good."</p>
<p id="ljSt9O"> </p>
<div class="pullquote">The 95 YPG and measly 3.02 yards per carry in five games against defenses ranked in the top 50 must improve if this team is to contend.</div>
<p><br id="1470090199018"> Therein lies the #1 point of concern for the Huskies in 2016. Prognosticators who have them winning the North or being a Top-10 team look at the roster and think that, since they are returning almost everyone from the two-deep on the offensive line, they must be good. No, not necessarily. They <em>could</em> be good. The running back is good. The defense is good. But the offensive line —looking at it with my purple shades in my pocket and the grape Kool-aid still in the fridge—is nothing better than mediocre. They were really young last season, and it was encouraging that they were able to have great success against lesser defenses (205 yards per game, 5.07 YPC against FBS teams outside the S&P top 50), so yeah, I’m ready to put on the shades and pour myself a tall glass of Kool-aid. But as opposed to a defense that returns experienced players from a statistically excellent group, the offensive line simply returns experienced players; some of the most promising ones with less than a full year of that. We can’t call them good until we see them play well against top defenses. If the Dawgs do put together a great offensive line, watch out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p id="OWpo0b">The O-line is not singularly responsible for providing the blocking in the running game. Wide receivers and tight ends must interfere with the edge-setters at the line of scrimmage and provide the downfield blocks that turn 7-yard gains into huge, electrifying runs. Wide receiver blocking was not great for the Huskies last season. When a team uses three tight ends, as often as UW did —usually with at least one split as a WR— it says something about the physicality of the receivers. UW just hasn’t had a big-bodied blocking WR since Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith. Josh Perkins is the right size and was the player Chris Petersen tried to use in that capacity, but he couldn’t block corners. <span>Darrell Daniels</span> is a better blocker than Perkins, but too big to get a piece of DBs. <span>Connor Griffin</span> has shown himself to be an excellent blocker, has lightened himself 10 pounds, and hopefully for the Dawgs will be the answer here.</p>
<p id="Bf92X7">There is every reason to believe that <span>Daniels</span>, <span>Drew Sample</span>, <span>Will Dissly</span>, and even <span>Jeff Lindquist</span> can be a really strong crew of blocking tight ends. Whoever takes Perkins’s snaps will likely be an upgrade in the blocking dept. I’m hoping <span>Michael Neal</span> is a good, athletic blocker, but that’s a big unknown. Still, lots of good run blockers in this unit. Overall, the TEs <em>should</em> be good. That’s ½ point higher than <em>could</em> be good if you are following along with my arbitrary ranking system.</p>
<p id="5uhfE8">Now we get to the <em>is</em>: <span>Myles Gaskin</span> <em>is</em> good. He’s really good. But when we talk about the rest of the running back unit, we’re back to that damn <em>could</em>.</p>
<p id="bZjYyE">Firstly, let’s talk Gaskin. The little dude kinda has it all; his combination of vision and patience means that no yards are left on the field. If there is a play to be made, Gaskin will find the room to make it. His speed is not world class, but he ran away from a lot of corners and safeties last year. He is not <span>Royce Freeman</span> when it comes to power, but how many tackles did he break? I think I lost count during the USC game. He sets up his blocks, takes the play where it is designed to go until he just can’t anymore, and at that point he will look for somewhere else to run, and set up the blocks necessary for his new route to find yardage. Sometimes I think his brain is like a GPS, "recalculating route" and…let’s see..."avoid tacklers."</p>
<p id="KkvKxg">Gaskin’s supporting cast does not suck. <span>Lavon Coleman</span>, like the Husky offensive line, <em>could</em> be really good. Whether or not he supplies firepower as a change-of-pace runner making tough runs between the tackles will be absolutely critical to the success of the UW rushing attack. During his freshman season I thought I saw a little Bishop Sankey wiggle in him when he would emerge through the line breaking arm tackles. Last season he couldn’t get much going at all against good run defenses, but he is the kind of downhill runner that relies on the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage to find success. If the Huskies fare well at the point of attack, Coleman will move the sticks.</p>
<p id="oAKkcL">With the possible exception of <span>John Ross</span>, true freshman running back <span>Sean McGrew</span> is the ‘new’ player I am most intrigued to see incorporated into the offense. People may be sleeping on him just a bit, thinking that he is too similar to Gaskin and that UW just doesn’t really have room for a pair of smallish backs to see regular time. Hell, the Huskies have also have <span>Jomon Dotson</span> and <span>Chico McClatcher.</span> Where does McGrew find his snaps? That really is a good argument; it makes perfect sense. But Petersen a) has no problem playing true freshmen and b) will play the best guys. If McGrew is the second best running back, he will get the second most carries. The same goes for Kamari Pleasant, the Huskies' other true freshman running back who possesses the size and power to provide a change of pace. Surely a couple of these guys will get lost in the shuffle, but a productive rushing attack must have several good runners. Case in point: Last season UW had the conference's 4th leading ball carrier, but was near the bottom of the Pac-12 in team rushing.</p>
<p id="YV8a2A">Now, let’s discuss the L-Cat. Hmmm, no let’s not discuss the L-Cat. Let’s never ever discuss the L-Cat again as long as each of us remains on this earth.</p>
<p id="NF5Iia">Let’s talk about the only thing <em>from </em>the L-Cat that worked in 2016: The fly sweep. Man, I love that play. I loved that play back when Oregon State used it with James Rodgers. I always thought it was virtually impossible to defend, especially with an over-pursuing defense. Come to think of it, the predictability of the L-Cat was what made the fly sweep work. Shit, I’m talking about the L-cat. Let’s never speak of it again starting…….NOW.</p>
<p id="xUuh7J">McClatcher, Ross, and possibly McGrew are the players I expect to see going in motion before the snap and taking the handoff on the fly sweep. If new receivers coach Bush Hamdan has his guys doing their job better this season in the blocking department, this play will be one of the most effective in the Husky arsenal.</p>
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https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/8/1/12345978/fall-camp-preview-washington-huskies-running-game-pivotal-to-team-s-successJohn Sayler2016-07-30T12:22:38-07:002016-07-30T12:22:38-07:00Camp Preview: Coaching Changes
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<img alt="Bush Hamdan, Jimmy Lake, and Bob Gregory" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C-xX8B2qBYgSsFQVSjg_0QPq8j0=/99x0:549x300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50251547/CWS01IhVEAAg_vW.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bush Hamdan, Jimmy Lake, and Bob Gregory</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The end of 2015 brought a handful of coaching adjustments including a fire, a couple of hires, a promotion or two, and the loss of everybody's favorite defensive line guru as he begins his new quest as head coach of Montana State.</p> <p>Among the many sports cliches that drive me insane, the phrase "coaching carousel" is definitely up there. Luckily for UW fans, we didn't really have to hear too much about that this offseason since Washington's core staff mostly stayed intact. In spite of this, there were still plenty of "minor" coaching changes that have the potential for a greater impact than most would expect.<br><br>Most notably, this...<br><br><b>Defensive line coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Choate hired as head coach of Montana State. Ikaika Malloe hired as new DL coach, while linebackers coach Bob Gregory's duties extended to include ST coordinator.</b><br><br>Let's start with the big one: losing Coach Choate is obviously significant, though his new head coaching position at Montana State is well-deserved and as such I have absolutely no feelings of bitterness towards him. That said, I have a good feeling about Ikaika Malloe being able to take up where Coach Choate left off. By now all the noise about this transition appears positive; the distractions usually associated with a new guy replacing an established connoisseur are minimal and that bodes well. Plus, as has been mentioned about a bajillion times, Malloe's youth and connections in Utah and with the Polynesian community already appear to be paying off, recruiting-wise. Not that Choate was ever not<i> </i>considered a recruiting asset as well, but if we had to lose him, I think Malloe is as capable a replacement as any.</p>
<p>Coach Gregory is one of the guys who I feel operates pretty under the radar in comparison to a lot of other coaches we're constantly praising. I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to not giving him enough credit, and I realized when writing this that I have no idea why we don't. Is it because linebackers as a corps aren't as glamorous as the DBs (getting all those breakups and interceptions) or D-line (sacks sacks sacks)? Who knows, but in the absence of <i>ad nauseam</i> discussion on Gregory, unlike for most of our position coaches, this is one of those cases that comes down to "I trust Chris Petersen to make the right call."</p>
<p><b>Receivers coach Brent Pease fired - <span>Bush Hamdan</span> hired as replacement.</b><br><br>The dropped passes last year. Oh. My goodness. I don't want to bash Coach Pease, and I'm sure he was a decent enough coach behind the scenes, but "decent enough" doesn't cut it. Enter Bush Hamdan who, if he is as good a coach (or even close) as he is a recruiter, should be an upgrade. Along the same lines as Choate's replacement, he's also really freaking young. If Ikaika Malloe is The Youthful New Guy, I don't even know what that makes Coach Hamdan. The Infant? The...? <a target="_blank" href="https://cdn.meme.am/instances/54791242.jpg">No wait, hang on, I had something for this.</a></p>
<p>Either way, in his first six months, he's managed to get commitments from three promising receiver recruits including Terrell Bynum, the top-rated receiver to commit since Chris Petersen became the head coach. So that's good.<br><br>As a coach, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/bush-hamdan-uws-new-wide-receivers-coach-wants-to-bring-an-edge-to-the-position/">Hamdan seems to have the edge and competitiveness</a> that come with self-aware youth: knowing he hasn't accomplished anything yet and being eager to prove he has what it takes to change that. The paradox here is that he has yet to produce on-field results that would draw praise, yet still comes across as someone we will be praising in a year or so. I suppose in that sense Bush Hamdan is a perfect synecdoche for Washington as a whole: young, full of potential, and champing at the bit to prove it. Even the greatest have to start somewhere, right?<br><br><b>Defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake made co-defensive coordinator.</b></p>
<p><b></b>Before talking about this, we must first accept two truths:<br><br>1) Jimmy Lake is super mega great.<br><br>2) DC Pete Kwiatkowski is super mega great.<br><br>Therefore, Jimmy + Pete should be super(mega great)^2. Theoretically.</p>
<p>Now before you tell me that my math is off, know that I don't care. Also, that sometimes two great things, when combined, don't multiply their greatness in a way we'd expect. <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/-o-u4IwXkbE?t=4m17s">Like fruitcake</a>. What I'm trying to say is that, although I have absolutely no reason to believe that this partnership wouldn't work out, I also am trying to temper my expectations on Lake and Kwiatkowski (celebrity supercouple name <i>a la</i> Brangelina: Lakekowski) creating the Super Defensive Death-Defying Ass-Kickers of Doom. That being said, I suppose Washington's defense is almost already on that level anyway. I guess "Death Row" rolls off the tongue a bit easier.<br><br>What I suspect, assuming we all accept statements (1) and (2) as truths, is that one of these two won't be around that much longer and Coach Pete is preparing accordingly. Given how tricky it is to have a truly great defense in college football, I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before University of X picks up one of these gems for a promotion in position and moolah. And when that happens, if it's Kwiatkowski that goes, I'm sure we'll be glad that Coach Lake spent some time picking his brain.</p>
<p><b>Jeff Tedford hired as "consultant."<br><br></b>Wut? Time will tell.<br><br><b>Anyways...</b></p>
<p>Sayler beat me to this mantra in yesterday's writeup, but let me repeat: Any unit is only as good as its weakest component, and that's where Chris Petersen really shows his strength as a head coach. Throughout his history at Boise State and in his brief time here, he has displayed a stellar ability to evaluate talent not only in players but in coaches. Any sports team's coaching staff functions as an ensemble and nowhere is that more true than in football, where the specificity and array of positions means that every player (and subsequently, every coach) specializes more than in other sports. With that in mind, I feel myself as a fan really trusting Petersen's ability to surround himself with great coaches, and that's not something I've been able to say often.</p>
<p>With that in mind, do good things, don't do bad things, and bow down to Washington.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/30/12299774/camp-preview-coaching-changesGabey Lucas2016-07-29T15:03:15-07:002016-07-29T15:03:15-07:00Camp Preview: Pass Defense
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<img alt="Washington State v Washington" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rsuOk424pKZAFdGQS0thiosYPi8=/0x9:3336x2233/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50245669/498966886.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With a loaded secondary and beastly defensive front, can UW improve on what was the one of the Pac-12’s best defenses against the pass?</p> <p id="v55N9V">A defensive unit is only as strong as its weakest link. Prior to the start of the 2015 season, much was made of the loss on defense of Danny Shelton, Hau'oli Kikaha, Shaq Thompson, and Marcus Peters; four players good enough to be taken early in the NFL draft, but somehow not good enough to make the Husky defense any better than the middle of the Pac-12. In a 2014 season that saw the UW defense allow 287 yards per game through the air, 28 TD passes, and yield a QB rating to opposing passers of nearly 138, when all was said and done that star-studded defense could only muster a pass defense ranking of 10th best in the conference.</p>
<p id="HnxMpr">Based on those grim numbers and the loss of great talent, the prognosticators understandably saw a fall-off for 2015. But what many forgot to consider was the youth of the secondary in 2014. Young pups, really, thrown into the fire. And although Kikaha and Shelton were phenomenal at getting to the quarterback, there was not a lot of question for whom opposing coaches needed to gameplan, and where to attack. Redshirt freshman Darren Gardenhire was pressed into action and was picked on regularly. Budda Baker and Sidney Jones were among the best true freshmen in the conference, but they were still one year removed from high school and were short on experience for players being counted on as stoppers in the secondary.</p>
<p id="IS3JhJ">In 2015, the Huskies showed that while the star power had diminished, the talent was deep. Who do you double-team on the defensive line? Who do you go after in the secondary? Suddenly these freshmen who spent a year learning what Pac-12 football is all about were playing like veterans, and opposing coaches looking for weaknesses in the Husky defense kept rewinding game film and uttering "shit."</p>
<p id="4w3M3S">The UW pass defense was 4th overall in the conference last season, posting a sub-116 opposing QB rating, allowing 62 yards fewer per game through the air than the year before, and intercepting 15 passes while only allowing 11 TD passes. Those numbers are great, but they can be even better. While 11 TD passes yielded may have been an aberration and difficult to match, the other numbers have room to improve. </p>
<div class="pullquote">Opposing coaches looking for weaknesses in the Husky defense kept rewinding game film and uttering "shit."</div>
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<p> </p>
<p id="1jGMYc">Pass rush and sacks are not always the same thing, but the Dawgs were down over a full sack per game in 2015 from the year before. Kikaha was a sack specialist, and most thought that Joe Mathis would be able to step into his role as a dominant pass rusher. While Mathis had his moments, he was hampered by injury. His ability to generate a rush off the edge will be a key for the UW pass defense in 2016. Elijah Qualls and Benning Potoa'e are among other players capable of making opposing QBs panic.</p>
<p id="1dO4VA">Travis Feeney and Cory Littleton—the top sack-men from last season—are gone, and their departure can be viewed as having left gaping holes in the defense. But in college football, coaches tend to look at vacated spots as opportunities for other players and not voids that need to be filled. Entering last season no one was sure who would step up on defense with the exodus of so much talent. It turned out that Feeney and Littleton exceeded all expectations. This fall there are a lot of really promising candidates to flank Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierria, two of the top inside linebackers in the Pac-12.</p>
<p id="8NG2Vq">Other than Mathis (whom I still see more as a defensive end in the Kikaha vein), Tevis Bartlett and Psalm Wooching are the best bets at this point to get the lion’s share of snaps. The senior Wooching has great size and motor, but has always had trouble getting disengaged from blocks. With the strength of UW’s defensive line, Wooching is in a great position to face one-on-ones with tackles and tight ends. His success rate in getting home and putting hits on the quarterback will directly affect the overall stinginess of the entire pass defense. Bartlett is said to have strengthened his hold on the other starting spot with a great understanding of the playbook and a solid spring. Talented redshirt freshman Bryce Sterk will get a long look at both outside spots, so far backing up Wooching and junior Connor O’Brien at strong-side outside linebacker. Fellow redshirt Jusstis Warren is another name to remember when it comes to players with a propensity for chasing down QBs. Greyshirt Myles Rice and true freshman Amandre Williams both possess great natural talent, and if one of these guys emerge as a pass rushing weapon this season it wouldn’t be overly surprising. Another year in the weight room may be more beneficial for the Huskies long term if these two are not ready or needed in 2016. D.J. Beavers and Ben Burr-Kirven will rotate into the inside LB spots where rushing up the middle and dropping into coverage are key in Pete Kwiatkowski’s pass defense.</p>
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<p id="sei5zn">While there is some level of mystery when it comes to the players who will provide pass rush for the Husky defense, the secondary has decidedly fewer question marks. Sidney Jones is a lockdown corner. Budda Baker is everything you want in a free safety. Gardenhire and senior Kevin King have fantastic ball skills and are excellent tacklers. Despite the loss of starting strong safety Brian Clay, there is little reason to believe the secondary as a whole will not be improved this season. Baker, Jones, and Gardenhire make the leap to upperclassmen where young players with talent and potential develop into confident veterans. Jojo McIntosh earned valuable experience last season and has added 10 pounds this year. Expect McIntosh to take hold of the strong safety spot and become the 5th All-Pac-12-caliber member of the Husky secondary.</p>
<p>Trevor Walker and Brandon Beaver are experienced backups at free safety and Ezekiel Turner adds solid depth at the strong safety position. The buzz surrounding true frosh Taylor Rapp has me thinking he sees the field this season and gains experience. If Baker leaves for the NFL, I’m intrigued by the thought of Rapp paired with McIntosh at safety in 2017. Who is SS? Who is FS? Such conundrums are nice to have.</p>
<p>The next generation of Husky corners looks promising as well. Jordan Miller, Austin Joyner, and Brandon Lewis should get plenty of reps if all goes to script during the 49-0 (x3) non-conference schedule. Miller is a favorite of former Husky coach and current ‘Husky Honk’ Dick Baird, who praises his "fluid hips." At 6’1" Miller is no longer undersized, having bulked up to over 175 pounds. He was one of the most praised players during the spring.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/29/12325270/fall-camp-preview-washington-huskies-pass-defense-strives-for-pure-dominanceJohn Sayler2016-07-28T08:15:04-07:002016-07-28T08:15:04-07:00Fall Camp Preview: Special Teams
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Washington at Hawaii" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rhQXWm2GCvJ_-JNoFgatPANjjfA=/0x1:2448x1633/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50228033/usa-today-8058822.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Huskies were in three one-possession games last season, and won precisely zero of them. A strong cast of returning special teams stars could change that in 2016.</p> <p id="5W9wPE">Last season, three of Washington’s games — <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap/_/id/400756888">at Boise State</a>, <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap/_/id/400757040">versus Cal</a>, and <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap/_/id/400757054">at Oregon</a> — were decided by a single possession. Unsurprisingly for a team starting three true freshmen at key positions on the offense, the Huskies went 0-3 in those games. If the Huskies are to live up to <a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/16/11910672/pac-12-media-days-washington-football-hype-reaches-fever-pitch">their massively mounting preseason expectations</a>, they will need to show marked improvement in their ability to pull out close wins. While Jake Browning, <span>Budda Baker</span> and the rest of Washington’s offensive and defensive players will of course be vital to that effort, close games are when special teams players get their opportunity to shine. Today, we examine who the Huskies have on their roster for the 2016 season in those key positions.</p>
<p id="FzEHF8"><strong>The Players</strong><br>
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<th>Jersey</th> <th>Name</th> <th>Position</th> <th>Height</th> <th>Weight</th> <th>Year</th>
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</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><span>A.J. Carty</span></td>
<td>Long snapper</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>245</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>51</td>
<td><span>Luke Hutchison</span></td>
<td>Long snapper</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>226</td>
<td>Junior (walk-on)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>42</td>
<td>Van Soderberg</td>
<td>Punter/Place kicker</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>199</td>
<td>Freshman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>48</td>
<td><span>Cameron Van Winkle</span></td>
<td>Place kicker</td>
<td>5-10</td>
<td>189</td>
<td>Senior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>81</td>
<td><span>Sebastian Valerio</span></td>
<td>Place kicker</td>
<td>5-9</td>
<td>180</td>
<td>Redshirt freshman (walk-on)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><span>Tristan Vizcaino</span></td>
<td>Punter/Place kicker</td>
<td>6-2</td>
<td>201</td>
<td>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>John Ross III</td>
<td>Kick returner</td>
<td>5-11</td>
<td>196</td>
<td>Junior</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td><span>Chico McClatcher</span></td>
<td>Kick returner</td>
<td>5-7</td>
<td>176</td>
<td>Sophomore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td><span>Dante Pettis</span></td>
<td>Punt returner</td>
<td>6-1</td>
<td>187</td>
<td>Junior</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p id="nJspGd">Chris Petersen’s primary task on special teams will be replacing two-year starting punter <span>Korey Durkee</span>, whose career average of 41.8 yards per punt ranks third all-time at UW. To that end, the coaches recruited Van Soderberg as a potential replacement to play as as true freshman, but the scuttlebutt out of spring practices is that Soderberg’s adjustment to the college game has been somewhat less than ideal. In particular, Dawgman.com’s Chris Fetters has <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/washington/story/1659566-two-deeps-after-two-weeks">reported</a> that Soderberg is having trouble adjusting to a one-step delivery on his kicks. If he is not ready to go as the team’s starting punter by Sept. 3 when the Huskies take the field against Rutgers, expect to see him sit out 2016 and come back next season as a redshirt freshman. In that scenario, <span>Tristan Vizcaino</span> will likely become the team’s go-to punter, as he is the only specialist on the roster who has game experience at that position.</p>
<p id="HasDKl">Speaking of Vizcaino, he will presumably continue to handle duties as the team’s first-string kickoff specialist after being responsible for 76 of Washington 79 kickoffs in 2015. Vizcaino averaged 61.8 yards per kickoff and recorded touchbacks on 35.5 percent of his kicks, en route to earning all-conference honorable mention recognition.</p>
<p id="FVyGGD">Regarding place kicking responsibilities, <span>Cameron Van Winkle</span> made 15 of his 19 field goal attempts in 2015, including a 49-yard boot against Utah. That being said, Van Winkle missed the one field goal attempt he made last year in a high-pressure situation when he pushed his 46-yard try that would have sent the Huskies into overtime against Boise State just a few feet to the right, and he’ll no doubt be hungry to avenge that miss. And scholarship long snapper A.J. Carty is the favorite to replace <span>Ryan Masel</span>, who graduated last year after handling virtually all of Washington’s long snapping duties since 2012.</p>
<p id="4zCBfz">In the return game, the Huskies will feature arguably the most dangerous kickoff returner in the Pac-12, and possibly the country, in John Ross III. Ross is the owner of two 100-yard scores (there exist only five in Washington’s entire history) on kick returns, and clocked <a href="http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/pac-12/university-of-washington/huskies-insider-blog/article64461152.html">a 4.25-second 40-yard-dash (hand-timed)</a> at last spring’s Husky Combine event. When the Dawgs run two-returner sets, Ross will be joined by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRqTvBKmAZw">fellow speedy receiver Chico McClatcher</a>, who scored four touchdowns last season on just 27 total touches as a true freshman. Finally, <span>Dante Pettis</span> will be the team’s primary punt returner for the third consecutive year; over the course of his first two seasons, he averaged 12.7 yards per return and has accounted for three touchdowns on punt returns.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/28/12294266/washington-football-2016-fall-camp-preview-special-teamsRyan Priest2016-07-27T11:15:03-07:002016-07-27T11:15:03-07:00Camp Preview: Impact Redshirts
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jJW2zrSNM_62s9zoLAKGb2dyy8E=/0x462:4200x3262/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50212019/usa-today-8822567.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jennifer Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Plenty of talented players from the 2015 recruiting class were good enough to play, but improving team depth allowed 22 freshmen to redshirt.</p> <p>It used to be said that in college football you win games with your juniors and seniors. That is still true to an extent, but the role of the redshirt freshman has grown exponentially in the past 10-15 years. While many true freshmen find the field for a variety of reasons, an 18-year old kid often is not physically ready to take on the challenges presented at the next level. If a young talent is able to spend a year adapting to college life, academics, and getting his body ready, he can have a greater impact during his second year in the program.</p>
<p>Skill players are sometimes more ready for game action, compared to the big boys who often need time to get bigger, stronger, and let their bodies mature before they are stuck in the trenches when it counts. One needs look no further back than last season to see what the 2015 crop of redshirt frosh were able to contribute to the Husky team.</p>
<p><span>Greg Gaines</span>, <span>Vita Vea</span> and <span>Jaylen Johnson</span> were all heavily involved in the defensive line rotation, with Gaines earning All Pac-12 honorable mention. <span>Matt James</span> and <span>Jesse Sosebee</span> played in 9 games apiece and had multiple starts along the offensive line, while <span>Kaleb McGary</span> came on very strongly at the end of the season and asserted himself as the UW right tackle of the future. Safety <span>Jojo McIntosh </span>and tight end <span>Drew Sample</span> were also key cogs, playing plenty of meaningful snaps during their redshirt freshman seasons.</p>
<p>The depth on both sides of the ball last year allowed the Huskies to redshirt some very talented players, while injuries to other promising true-freshmen early in the season earned the Dawgs a couple more medical redshirts. With WR Jamon Jones <a href="https://twitter.com/AllDayJay05/status/741073532503785472" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">leaving the program </a><span>(and the school)</span> back in June, the Huskies' redshirt freshman class includes 21 players (by my count; fact checkers always welcome).</p>
<p>When we talk about impact, talent is not the only factor that comes into play; opportunity can be just as important. The perceived weaknesses of the Washington football team are where redshirts will find opportunity, as are the positions vacated by last year's most productive seniors.</p>
<p>The receiving corps falls into both of the above categories. Gone are Jaydon Mickens and Josh Perkins, the Huskies' top two receivers from a year ago. Among the redshirt freshmen, who is ready to have an impact and fill the void left by these two?</p>
<p>WR <span>Quinten Pounds</span> (5'11", 178), WR <span>Andre Baccellia</span> (5'10", 166), TE <span>Michael Neal</span> (6'4", 237)</p>
<p>Pounds and Baccellia are smallish receivers capable of playing in the slot or outside. Baccellia is more the shifty speedster while Pounds is an excellent possession receiver with the ability to make grabs in tight coverage, and is stronger than his size would suggest. Both guys are natural route runners who simply find themselves space in the defense a la the similarly built <span>Gabe Marks</span> from WSU. These two should be able to turn opportunity into impact.</p>
<p><span>Darrell Daniels</span> is generally expected to step into the Perkins role, but Daniels had a significant role in the 2015 offense. Three tight ends were used heavily in the regular rotation with Perkins, Daniels, and Sample all ‘starting' several games. Neal has great hands and a huge catch radius. He may very well be the other downfield receiving TE option for the Husky offense, slipping behind linebackers and making some of the big plays Perkins was known for.</p>
<p>Opportunity has also been created with the graduation of last season's top outside pass rushers. Linebackers Cory Littleton and Travis Feeney are the two players on defense that Husky fans are still concerned about replacing. The two accounted for 14 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss in 2015. While it won't only be redshirt freshmen being asked to fill the void of their departure, there are three exciting prospects at the linebacker position in this season's redshirt frosh class.</p>
<p>LB <span>Jusstis Warren</span> (6'2", 250), LB <span>D.J. Beavers</span> (6'0", 224), LB <span>Bryce Sterk</span> (6'4", 242)</p>
<p>These are three of the new players I am most excited to see on the field in 2016. Their high school reels are really impressive, and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if all three make their presence felt on defense (and special teams without question).</p>
<p>Beavers and Warren played nearly identical roles on their high school teams, usually lining up wide similar to Feeney. They both use speed and bull rush techniques, and make a habit of chasing down ball carriers sideline to sideline. While Warren is a little more explosive and violent in his tackling, Beavers showed great technique even at the high school level, hitting at the waist and under the shoulder pads rather than going high. He grabs fabric and holds on, not just relying on the force of the hit to bring the runner down. So far these two have primarily gotten looks at the inside spots behind <span>Keishawn Bierria</span>, <span>Azeem Victor</span>, and <span>Ben Burr-Kirven</span>, but both guys are swift enough to play outside with Warren being the faster of the two. Littleton only ran a 4.7-4.8 and was very effective outside, so if the coaches decide these guys need to be on the field, their lack of 4.5 speed won't keep them buried in depth behind UW's outstanding inside linebackers.</p>
<p>Sterk is a different player, tall like Feeney and more of a pure outside SAM/Buck type. I don't think I've ever seen a marquee player on tape who emerges unblocked in the backfield as often as Sterk. He packs a wallop when he hits, so maybe Whatcom County players were just tired of getting up dizzy after attempting to block him. Sterk moves well in all directions, particularly laterally, and when he puts it into high-gear can really move. I couldn't find a definitive 40-time for him, but as a high school track star he took sixth at the state tournament in the 300-meter hurdles. At 6'4" and playing at around 230 lbs at Lynden HS, he's what you would call "freakishly fast" for a man his size.</p>
<p>With <span>Trey Adams</span> playing as a true freshman, the Huskies were still able to redshirt three offensive linemen last season. <span>Devin Burleson</span> (6'8", 301) is a former basketball player who is as lean as one can be at 300 lbs. He spent his only year of high school football as a tackle, and will need to add upper body strength. <span>Jared Hilbers</span> (6'7", 282) is a 3-star recruit widely considered the top offensive lineman in the state of Oregon. These two provide even more depth to a young offensive line that returns almost everyone from a season ago. The jewel of the offensive line redshirts is Bellevue's <span>Henry Roberts</span> (6'6", 290). The Army All-America Game participant was rated the nation's 23<sup>rd</sup> best offensive tackle by Scout and the third best prospect overall in the state of Washington. So far, Roberts has gotten more of a look as a guard than a tackle, failing to crack the two-deep in the spring. He will compete for a starting position this fall, but may still be a year away from making that happen.</p>
<p>Two of this year's redshirt class played early in 2015, only to have injuries end their seasons. Both were granted a medical redshirt season. One is Pounds; the other is cornerback <span>Austin Joyner</span> (5'10", 190) of Marysville-Pilchuck. Joyner, The Seattle Times' Defensive Player of the Year and the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, was rated as a four-star recruit by Scout and 247sports.com. Joyner is an elite athlete with terrific closing speed, sound tackling skills, and is a fierce hitter. Plus, you gotta love a guy who committed to Sark, then <a target="_blank" href="http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/why-austin-joyner-of-marysville-pilchuck-switched-from-uw-to-wsu/">teased Wazzu with a verbal</a>, only to have Chris Petersen steal him back.</p>
<p>Perhaps the best of all the redshirt freshman is defensive lineman <span>Benning Potoa'e</span> (6'3", 271). Potoa'e was the most surprising member of last year's class not to play, and the state's top 2015 prospect comes in highly decorated. His raw athletic numbers are mind-blowing for a 270-pound man. He runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and has a 37" vertical leap. Rather than give my analysis of his game, I will borrow from recruiting guru <a href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/2015/1/22/7874887/washington-football-recruiting-scouting-benning-potoae" target="_blank">Jamie Uyeyama's </a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/2015/1/22/7874887/washington-football-recruiting-scouting-benning-potoae">breakdown</a>. Uyeyama praises what he calls Potoa'e's "hand violence," referring to the way he swats away blockers' attempts to engage him with their hands. He also touts his combination of raw athleticism and lateral movement, calling Potoa'e one of the best pass rushers from the entire 2015 recruiting class. It will be fun to watch him mesh with the rest of UW's talented defensive linemen and linebackers to see if he can help take the Husky D to yet another level.</p>
<p>Below are the 10 remaining members of the 2015 recruiting class who redshirted. Fitting into a category all his own is LB <a href="http://www.gohuskies.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2382" target="_blank">Myles Rice</a> (6'4", 246), a 3-star from Houston, TX who delayed his enrollment until January of last year which technically makes him a true freshman this season.</p>
<p><span>Dustin Bush</span>, DB, 5'9", 176</p>
<p><span>Logan Hurst</span>, RB, 5'10", 186</p>
<p><span>Josh Rasmussen</span>, WR, 5'11", 188</p>
<p><span>Kyler Manu</span>, LB, 6'1", 237</p>
<p><span>A.J. Carty</span>, LS, 6'2", 245</p>
<p><span>Jared Pulu</span>, DL, 6'4", 260</p>
<p><span>John Clark</span>, DL, 6'4", 271</p>
<p><span>Sebastian Valerio</span>, PK, 5'9" 180</p>
<p><span>Ricky McCoy</span>, DL, 6'2", 302</p>
<p><span>Jason Scrempos</span>, DL, 6'6", 279</p>
<p>.</p>
<p><i>For a look at the incoming freshman class of 2016 as well as some wonderfully colorful language, be sure to check out Gabey Lucas' </i><a href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/25/12228966/article" target="_blank"><i>True Freshmen Camp Preview.</i></a></p>
<p>.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/27/12286768/fall-camp-preview-redshirt-freshmen-out-to-show-they-were-worth-theJohn Sayler2016-07-26T20:08:37-07:002016-07-26T20:08:37-07:00Camp Preview: Breakout Stars
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<figcaption>Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Another day closer to fall camp, another countdown piece. Today we examine stars ready to burst onto the scene when camp starts August 8th.
</p> <p>It was early August, 2014. Chris Petersen hadn't yet coached a game for the Huskies and was putting together his second recruiting class. Cue the commitment of Andre Baccellia, a smaller WR out of Westlake Village, CA. Husky Nation erupted with passion and jubilation, full well knowing the future 2016 spring practice breakout star had just verbally pledged to be a Dawg. Okay, so maybe I exaggerated that a tad. In fact, most Husky fans were less than thrilled with the commitment, hoping for some bigger fish to bite.</p>
<p>While Baccellia has yet to see the field after redshirting last season, he was undoubtedly spring practice's breakout star. The ho-hum nature of his recruitment and commitment made his bursting onto the scene all the more surprising, and he could very well continue his stellar play into fall camp. So could other stars from this spring: Chico McClacther, <span>Jordan Miller</span>, and Jomon Dotson come to mind.</p>
<p>With that, who will be this fall's Andre Baccellia? Someone who we don't see coming, who announces his presence with aplomb. I won't count players who I consider had standout springs (like Miller, McClatcher, and Dotson) and will continue their play into fall camp - that's too easy and isn't really breaking out. That's also not to say the players noted below did not have good springs. Okay, enough caveats.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Taylor Rapp</h3>
<p>Freshman, SS, 6'0" 206 lbs.</p>
<p>When looking over the roster, I tried to find positions where there isn't a sure thing -- a proven starter in place. Here, that would be the safety spot opposite Budda Baker. As of now, it'll likely be JoJo McIntosh starting the season there, but how secure is his position? He's a big hitter and played well in short spurts last season, but how much better is he there than players like Brandon Beaver and Trevor Walker, two players who have more experience, but are coming off injuries? What about Ezekiel Turner, a big, physical, JUCO transfer now in his second year? As far as this defense is concerned, I would say SS is the biggest question mark in terms of a sure-thing starter, so Rapp will get his reps this fall.</p>
<p>Rapp enrolled early and participated in spring ball, albeit with a cast around his hand. The added comfort and familiarity will aid him this fall, and provided the hand is healed up, he should be ready to stick his nose in things. He's a smart, physical, and tough player who shows a great eye for the ball, and good instincts tracking down ball carriers. Generally speaking, spring practice is about teaching fundamentals, while fall is about installation and running more plays. Getting in that coaching and extra time studying the playbook should position him well to break out this fall.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Jeff Lindquist</h3>
<p>Senior, TE, 6'3" 244 lbs.</p>
<p>Jeff Lindquist is a tight end. Jeff Lindquist is a tight end. Jeff Lindquist is a tight end. No matter how many times I say it, it still feels weird. Not that Lindquist ever put his mark on the QB position, but it is strange to be without his presence holding the clipboard and being a leader in the QB room. But, credit the coaches for being honest with themselves, and Jeff for making a position switch to try and get his athleticism onto the field.</p>
<p>It's a lot to ask to make a position switch in your last year, but Jeff always had a lot of talent as a runner (Lind-cat offensive package aside), and never was afraid to lower his shoulder and take a hit. He's also a very smart player, and in addition to his role as backup QB, he played on the punt and field goal units. And for what it's worth, he's 1-0 as a starting QB at the University of Washington.</p>
<p>What did he do this spring? From reading the tea leaves and coach quotes, he definitely surprised some with how quickly he picked things up. As experienced and hardworking as he is, he should take a big leap in comfort and understanding of the position between spring (his first time playing TE) and this fall. By all accounts he's embracing his chance and has the opportunity to be a real asset to the offense.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Tevis Bartlett</h3>
<p>Sophomore, OLB, 6'2" 229 lbs</p>
<p>I'm applying the same logic here I did with Taylor Rapp. While I expect Psalm Wooching to start, how secure is he in that position? Tevis Bartlett is nipping at his heels, sitting right behind him on the depth chart. The opportunity is there for him: Psalm is a senior who wasn't recruited by Petersen, and is playing a new position he only assumed 2 years ago. Like Wooching, Bartlett played in all 13 games last year, and had his moments, though still playing like a freshman.</p>
<p>Chris Petersen has repeatedly praised Bartlett for his wrestling background, never missing a chance to chime in on how tough wrestlers are. He showed his toughness this spring always being in the middle of things and displayed the physical play required to be a linebacker. He's a no-nonsense, steady, and heady player, just like Chris Petersen wants. I think Bartlett knows he has a chance to make some noise this fall, and he'll do just that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Husky fans, who's going to take us by surprise when fall camp starts?</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/26/12292118/camp-preview-breakout-starsJeff Gorman2016-07-25T13:06:30-07:002016-07-25T13:06:30-07:00Camp Preview: True Freshmen
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<img alt="Class of '20 all together" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XLHylmR5Q3XP_piamALN8u8NfA4=/0x56:2048x1421/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50199049/Cl2IjxoUgAEVUmk.0.0.jpg_large" />
<figcaption>Class of '20 all together | <a href='https://twitter.com/_miloeifler/status/746903268387749888'>Camilo Eifler</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Dawg Pound begins our fall camp preview with a look at the new guys on campus, including who could play early and who to look for down the line.</p> <p>Well, hello again, you hooligans, and welcome back to UW Dawg Pound's annual fall camp preview. We start off today with an analysis of the incoming freshmen and will continue to feed your insatiable appetite for everything Huskies as a countdown to the start of Washington football's fall camp.</p>
<p>So without further ado...</p>
<p>The members of <span>Washington's</span> 2016 recruiting class include four early enrollees who took part in spring practice. For those of you who've forgotten or (gasp) never paid attention in the first place, here's a refresher on those guys: <br><br><b>Early Enrollees:</b><br><br>Van Soderberg, P<br>Amandre Williams, DE<br>Taylor Rapp, S<br>Daniel Bridge-Gadd, QB<br><br>With the exception of Bridge-Gadd, who hails from Phoenix, all of the above are from in-state with Soderberg (Capital HS) and Williams (Tahoma HS) representing Thurston and King Counties, respectively, while Rapp (Sehome HS) comes from up north in Whatcom. Heck, he's practically Canadian.</p>
<p>All these guys have the benefit of spending the spring learning the system and adapting to college and the college game, not to mention going through Coach Socha's conditioning program, but it's when the rest of the class arrived that it felt like we could start to get excited for football again. (Not that anyone here is ever <i>not, </i>but you get me.)</p>
<p><b>The Rest:<br></b><br>Byron Murphy, CB<br>Camilo Eifler, LB<br>Brandon Wellington, LB<br>Sean McGrew, RB<br>Isaiah Gilchrist, CB<br>Luke Wattenberg, OL<br>Levi Onwuzurike, DE<br>Kentrell Love, CB<br>Kamari Pleasant, ATH<br>Jordan Chin, WR<br><span>Nick Harris</span>, OL<br>Aaron Fuller, WR</p>
<p>As well, Washington managed to secure a few preferred walk-ons, many of whom picked UW over multiple scholarship offers.<br><br><b>PWOs</b></p>
<p><b></b>Blake Gregory, QB<br>Duke Clinch, OL<br>Mike Petroff, LB<br>Ryan Bowman, DE<br>Myles Bryant, CB<br><br>I'm not gonna sit here and write 1000 words on the strengths and weaknesses of each recruit because a) it would be redundant as shit, since there's already about a billion different sites that offer that, and b) I don't want to. That said, as fans we like to fret and freak out about 'croots in as many ways as possible, so I do have <i>some </i>thoughts. Specifically, the topic of redshirting comes to mind...</p>
<p><b>Most likely to burn the redshirt: </b><br><br>Sean McGrew <b>OR</b> Kamari Pleasant - but probably not both. Based solely on rating/talent/whatever, we'd all be thinking McGrew, but based on Pleasant's ability as a bigger pass-catcher, given the less than stellar circumstances in the receiving corps right now, I could see Pleasant coming in. He feels to me like he could be a next-generation <span>Dwayne Washington</span> who can take advantage of defensive misalignment with routes out of the backfield. Furthermore, McGrew is essentially a mini version of Gaskin and so doesn't exactly bring anything unique to the table given what we have right now. Don't get me wrong, McGrew is a badman whom I'm so happy we got, but the comparative advantage of Pleasant sticks out to me right now.</p>
<p>In an ideal world I would guess McGrew, but based on what Washington's needs are <i>right now</i>, I'd go with Pleasant.<br>That being said, I still can't shake the feeling that McGrew will play this year.<br><br>Byron Murphy seems like a similar situation to McGrew, but in our secondary. He also would benefit from putting on a bit of weight. Still, he's stupidly talented, and with UW's propensity to rotate players through in the defense, I could see him on the field for a bit, especially as the season goes on.<br><br>Camilo Eifler <i>again</i> seems like a similar situation. (After writing that for three straight potential impact players, I realize what a great problem that is. Oh, the luxury.) We just seem to have a lot of rising redshirt freshmen/sophomores in the linebacking corps that will get to play before him. This is especially since Eifler is pretty new to football and he won't be able to just get by in college on being a freak athlete without fully understanding the nuances that become more important.<br><br>Taylor Rapp is interesting. Last winter I made a prediction that he would see some playing time, and I stand by that now. (I'm too lazy to find where I said that, but trust me.) He seems to have exceptional spatial understanding that leads him to take great angles, plus he hits like a bad motherfucker. I don't think he'll end up the starting strong safety, but I think he'll compete for a decent amount of time there.<br><br>Levi Onwuzurike seems to me like he could be 2016's <span>Trey Adams</span>, but on the defensive line. Coach Petersen doesn't love starting true frosh in the trenches (and I agree with him) but this guy did look like a monster on film. I'd go with a 50/50 chance for him to burn the redshirt.</p>
<p><b>And after that?</b><br><br>The true freshman year in college football is a bit of a paradox; fans get all excited for the shiny new arrivals and their accompanying stars and ratings, but in reality it is almost always a few years later - when we've all but forgotten that so-and-so was an All-<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american" class="sbn-auto-link">American</a> or whatshisface had a 94 composite rating on 247 - that they get to make their impact.<br><br>So once the excitement of these guys wears off, here's who I think we'll be <i>actually </i>excited about:</p>
<p>Eifler: yep, back to him again. As his football IQ matures, I think all his heralded qualities will become apparent on the field. In interviews he comes across as a smart dude, and that combined with his athleticism could be killer when he's an upperclassman.<br><br>Isaiah Gilchrist from Bellevue is similar. He is charismatic in the one or two interviews I've seen, which means he's not just spouting off cliches, which means he's thinking. Intelligence turns a good DB into a great DB, and we know how much fun it is to watch a secondary full of those guys.</p>
<p>Luke Wattenberg: he's an All-American for a reason. Wattenberg is listed as around 270 lbs currently and so needs to get bigger; after that he could either be a baller or - and I hope this doesn't happen - lose some vital quickness which sometimes happens with young O-linemen after they gain weight. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if he ends up a big part of the future offensive line.<br><br>Blake Gregory: hear me out: After Browning is gone, we're gonna have one awesome QB battle, and if he sticks around, it wouldn't shock me if he beats out DBG and Haener and Sirmon for a year or two. I'm not saying I would put money on it, but I also wouldn't see that as coming out of nowhere. Keep in mind this is the guy led Skyline to victory over Jacob Eason's powerhouse of a Lake Stevens team in the 4A state semi-finals. He chose UW over multiple FCS scholarship offers and I have a feeling that his size (he's listed as - and I expect this is a liberal estimate - 170 lbs) deterred some programs.<br><br>Aaron Fuller: he's good at getting the quick separation of a step or two needed for shorter slants and crossing routes. Also, he's one shifty punt returner. I don't see him becoming a superstar, but do see him being a solid contributor during his time here.<br><br><b>Of the preferred walk-ons?<br><br></b>My prediction that Blake Gregory will play notwithstanding, Duke Clinch would be my call for the walk-on most likely to make an impact. He comes from a school that tends to go under-the-radar but is in one of the top conferences in the state. Plus, if he's anything like his brother (with whom I went to high school), he's definitely an OKG. Of note also is that the last O-lineman to come out of Woodinville and play FBS football <a target="_blank" href="http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/26/cougars-prepare-andre-dillard-as-capable-replaceme/">held his own when replacing an All-American LT last year.</a><br><br><b>Edit:</b> I previously listed Myles Bryant as a scholarship player when he is, in-fact, a PWO. He at one point had offers from Colorado and UCLA among others but spots at his top schools filled up before he committed. Needless to say, we got a steal with him.<br><br>And that, my friends, was the beginning of our 2016 fall camp preview.</p>
<p>Do good things, don't do bad things, and bow down to Washington.</p>
https://www.uwdawgpound.com/2016/7/25/12228966/articleGabey Lucas