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huskiesfootball 2011 record: 7-6, finished 3th in the Pac-12 North (5-4). Returning 13 starters. 2012 Pac-12 media poll predicted finish: 3rd (Pac-12 North).
QUARTERBACKS
The skinny: After a scintillating and record-setting sophomore season, Keith Price returns as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. Price set UW records for touchdowns, passer rating and completion percentage last season, despite playing injured most of the season. He could be even better this season. Backups: Officially, coach Steve Sarkisian isnt going to announce who the backup is, instead wanting the competition between Derrick Brown and Cyler Miles to continue throughout the season. Ideally, the Huskies would like to be able to redshirt MIles. CAPSULES BY RYAN DIVISH/Staff writer * STARTERS IN BOLD
3
HT.
6-1 6-3 6-4 6-3
4
WT.
202 236 223 234
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
JR-2V FR-RS FR-HS FR-HS
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Compton, Calif./St. John Bosco Winchester, Calif./Vista Murrieta Mullen, Colo./Centennial Mercer Island/Mercer Island
WIDE RECEIVERS
The skinny: The position seemed to be deep at the start of fall camp. But then James Johnson suffered a dislocated wrist and will likely miss the first three games of the season. That leaves senior Cody Bruns, sophomore DiAndre Campbell and true freshmen Jaydon Mickens and Kendyl Taylor vying for the other two spots. Mickens and Taylor have game-changing speed, and Bruns has the best hands on the team. Backups: Campbell can play all three wide receiver positions which makes him valuable. Jamaal Jones has ability but has been plagued by drops. If Kevin Smith can get back to even 90 percent health-wise from offseason knee surgery, that will be a huge bonus for the Huskies.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The skinny: The defensive line has better depth and size this season than at any other time under Sarkisian. Josh Shirley turned into a legitimate pass-rushing threat by the end of last season, and Danny Shelton has become a dominant force in the middle. Andrew Hudson brings versatility to the group, while Talia Crichton has plenty of experience. Backups: The status of Hauoli Jamora is still in question. Hes awaiting knee surgery and might not be ready until midseason. But in the middle, the Huskies have a slew of big bodies with Semisi Tokolahi, Sione Potoae and Lawrence Lagafuaina.
3
HT.
4
WT.
216 200 170 213 197 198 183 188 186 181 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-0 5-10
9 10 11 12
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
6-3 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-1
4
WT.
264 317 249 230 260 271 317 340 245 221 260 281 254 272
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
SO-1V FR-HS FR-HS JR-2V SR-3V SO-1V SR-3V FR-RS JR-2V FR-HS
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Sammamish/Skyline Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton Los Angeles/Dorsey Compton, Calif./Centennial Valley Center, Calif. /Valley Center Oakland/Oakland Tech Prosser/Prosser Spanaway/Graham-Kapowsin Sammamish/Skyline Los Angeles/Dorsey
YR.-EXP.
SR-3V SO-1V SO-1V SO-1V SO-1V JR-2V SO-1V SR-3V FR-RS FR-RS FR-RS FR-HS SO-SQ FR-RS
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Lakewood, Calif./Lakewood Auburn/Auburn Redlands, Calif./ Redlands East Valley Fontana, Calif./Kaiser Laie, Hawaii/Kahuku Joint Base Lewis-McChord/Lakes Aiea, Hawaii/Aiea Hilo, Hawaii/Hilo Sammamish/Skyline Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly Kirkland/Juanita Patterson, Calif./Patterson Olympia/Olympia Marysville/Archbishop Murphy
Kasen Williams Kendyl Taylor Jaydon Mickens Kevin Smith James Johnson DiAndre Campbell Cody Bruns Jamaal Jones William Chandler Marvin Hall
RUNNING BACKS
The skinny: The Huskies lost recordsetting running back Chris Polk, who was nearly the entire rushing attack the past three seasons. Now the combination of Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey will try to somehow replace Polks consistent production. Sarkisian has said he will use both tailbacks this season. Backups: The depth took a hit when Deontae Cooper suffered yet another torn anterior cruciate ligament in fall camp. That leaves walk-on tailback Willis Wilson to back up Callier and Sankey. Wilson is tough and shifty and can catch out of the backfield.
LINEBACKERS
The skinny: There isnt a ton of game experience in the unit with several safeties having been converted to the outside linebacker position. John Timu will play middle linebacker. He has looked solid in the spring after having added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. The Huskies might only use two linebackers in their base set. Travis Feeney, one of the converted safeties, has been solid, but a concussion slowed his progress. Backups: When UW goes to a more traditional 4-3 package, Prrinceton Fuimaono will join Timu and Feeney. When Nate Fellner returns from a broken foot in a few weeks, the position will become faster and more physical. Expect to see Thomas Tutogi, UWs most physical linebacker, in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
JOE BARRENTINE/Staff file, 2011
3
HT.
6-1 6-4 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2
4
WT.
231 209 210 215 242 218 226 223 223 220 219
9 10 11 12
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
4
WT.
211 200 233 188 225 219 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-3
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
SO-1V FR-RS JR-2V JR-2V JR-1V SR-3V SO-1V FR-RS FR-RS FR-HS JR-TR
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Jordan Richmond, Calif./Pinole Valley Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Jordan Mililani, Hawaii/Mililani Chula Vista, Calif./Southwestern JC Fresno/Clovis West Lakewood/Lakes Henderson, Nev./Bishop Gorman San Jose, Calif./Oak Grove Coto de Caza, Calif./Tesoro Burlington/Central Washington
YR.-EXP.
JR-2V SO-1V SR-1V SO-SQ FR-RS FR-HS
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Downey, Calif./Warren Spokane/Gonzaga Prep Seattle/Rainier Beach Lakewood/Lakes Carson, Calif./Gardena Kaiula-Kona, Hawaii/Kealakehe
TIGHT ENDS
The skinny: After years of no production from the position, Austin SeferianJenkins stepped in and turned it into a playmaking position of strength. Seferian-Jenkins has NFL talent and is dependable in the red zone. His blocking has improved. Backups: Michael Hartvigson may be the backup, but he will be on the field plenty in two tight end sets. Hes an excellent blocker and an underrated receiver. Sophomore Evan Hudson has size and strength and is a very good third option.
John Timu, ILB Travis Feeney, OLB Princeton Fuimaono, OLB Taz Stevenson, OLB Thomas Tutogi, ILB Nate Fellner, OLB Jamaal Kearse, ILB/OLB Evan Zeger, OLB Scott Lawyer, OLB Blake Rodgers, ILB Stetson Shearer, ILB
SECONDARY
The skinny: This is clearly the strength of the defense. Sean Parker is a standout hard-hitting safety, while the other safety will be manned by either Will Shamburger or Justin Glenn, both of whom started games last season. Desmond Trufant is one of the top cornerbacks in the conference, while Tre Watson, a Central Washington transfer, won the job over Marcus Peters and Greg Ducre because of his ability to make plays. Backups: The unit is deep. James Sample showed some playmaking ability at safety this fall, while Peters and Ducre had moments where they looked they might win a starting corner spot. It may allow Sarkisian to redshirt outstanding freshman cornerback Brandon Beaver.
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
4
WT.
190 215 185 186 183 214 206 206 187 216 194 177 189 181 176 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-9 5-11 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
JR-2V FR-HS JR-2V SR-3V JR-RS SR-3V FR-RS SO-SQ SO-SQ SO-SQ FR-RS JR-2V SR-3V FR-HS SR-2V
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Los Angeles/Narbonne Sacramento, Calif./Grant Compton, Calif./St. John Bosco Tacoma/Wilson Seattle/Central Washington Mukilteo/Kamiak Sacramento, Calif./Grant Auburn/Auburn San Francisco/De La Salle Sultan/Sultan Oakland/McClymonds Los Angeles/Crenshaw Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo Compton, Calif./Dominguez Los Angeles/St. Bernard
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
6-6 6-6 6-3 6-3
4
WT.
266 255 249 216
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
SO-1V SO-1V SO-1V FR-RS
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Fox Island/Gig Harbor Bothell/Bothell Bothell/Bothell Cerritos, Calif./Gahr
OFFENSIVE LINE
The skinny: Senio Kelemetes graduation and the unexpected retirement of Colin Porter hurt the Huskies. But Colin Tanigawa has progressed from offseason knee surgery. Drew Schaefer is an all-conference-level center and Erik Kohler is a two-year starter. The question will be the two tackles Micah Hatchie and Ben Riva are talented, but neither has started a game for the Huskies. Backups: James Atoe had an outstanding fall camp, working as the starting right guard while Kohler was out with a dislocated knee. If something were to happen to Schaefer, Kohler would likely slide over to center and Atoe would play guard. True freshman Shane Brostek made the two-deep depth chart at guard which is a testament to his physical strength.
KICKERS/SPECIAL TEAMS
The skinny: Theres a lot of turnover in the special teams. Gone is the reliable Erik Folk, who made plenty of big kicks in his career. Junior college transfer Travis Coons takes over the kicking duties. He has a strong leg. Accuracy is yet to be determined. True freshman Korey Durkee will take over the punting. He has a strong leg but needs to find consistency. Jaydon Mickens has made an impact as a returner in fall camp, and Shaq Thompson is big and fast. Backups: UW may use Kasen Williams in punt return situations where they are looking for a safe return. Jesse Callier and Kevin Smith were the starting kick returners last season, but Smith is coming back from knee surgery and the staff may want to limit Callier on special teams with him taking more snaps at running back.
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
6-5 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5
4
WT.
293 281 294 299 302 335 307 292 280 295
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
SO-1V SO-1V SR-3V JR-2V SO-1V SO-1V FR-RS FR-RS FR-HS SO-SQ
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Haieiwa, Hawaii/Waialua Pasadena, Calif./Loyola Sammamish/Easlake Camarillo, Calif./Oaks Christian Seattle/ODea The Dalles, Ore./The Dalles-Wahtonka Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Jordan Camano Island/Stanwood Kamuela, Hawaii/Hawaii Prep Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo
Pac-12 rank
3
HT.
4
WT.
205 225 205 215 170 216 213 211 6-2 6-4 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-2 5-11 5-10
9 10 11 12
YR.-EXP.
JR-JC FR-HS JR-SQ FR-HS FR-HS SO-1V JR-2V JR-2V
HOMETOWN/LAST SCHOOL
Alta Loma, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College Gig Harbor/Gig Harbor Liberty Lake/Central Valley Sacramento, Calif./Grant Los Angeles/Dorsey Sammamish/Skyline Compton, Calif./Centennial Downey, Calif./Warren
SCHEDULE
SEPT. 1
vs. San Diego St., 7:30 p.m., TV: Pac-12 Network The Huskies finally debut their defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox on the new Pac-12 Network.
SEPT. 8
at LSU, 4 p.m., TV: ESPN A matchup against a Tigers team with national title hopes in Death Valley at night? It would be one of the biggest regular season wins in UW history.
vs. Portland State, 1 p.m., TV: FX Former Husky Nigel Burton brings in a Vikings squad that will try to do Eastern Washington did last season - scare the Huskies.
vs. Stanford, 6 p.m., TV: ESPN A team that racked up more than 440 rushing yards against the Huskies last season. But the Cardinal doesnt have Andrew Luck now.
OCT. 13
vs. USC, TBA Theres a good chance the Trojans come into Seattle ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. UW has already upset highly-ranked USC teams twice in the Sarkisian era.
OCT. 20
at Arizona, TBA Trips to Tucson are never easy for the Huskies, particularly coming off the brutal three-game stretch against Stanford, Oregon and USC.
OCT. 27
vs. Oregon State, TBA Last season, UW went to Corvallis with a banged up Keith Price and were stunned by the reeling Beavers. This year, they want redemption.
NOV. 2
at California, 6 p.m., TV: ESPN2 Cals best recruiter, offensive coordinator and a few top recruits switched to UW. Cal fans have this game marked on their calendar.
NOV. 10
vs. Utah, TBA The Utes looked overwhelmed last season in a home loss to the Huskies. But Utah has high expectations and a loaded defense this season.
NOV. 17
at Colorado, TBA A trip to Folsom Field means one of the coolest pregame traditions the onfield sprint of Colorados live buffalo mascot Ralphie.
NOV. 23
at Washington State, noon, TV: FX Fans arent happy about the Apple Cup being played the day after Thanksgiving. Expect offense, snow and one team playing for a bowl bid.