Leader on the line Nick Harris is in command in his fourth year as a starter. Pg. 4-5
EASTERN WASHINGTON Aug. 31, 12:00 p.m.
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Time to make plays: Huskies turning to new stars ahead of season opener against Eagles By Alec Dietz The Daily A year ago, Washington entered the season with sky-high expectations and a large group of three- and four-year starters at a slew of key positions. Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin were entering their fourth years as UW’s main offensive backfield tandem, and Taylor Rapp, Byron Murphy, Jordan Miller, and JoJo McIntosh all contributed to one of the most experienced defensive backfields in all of college football. Entering 2019, all those faces are gone, replaced by a talented group of unproven, young playmakers. “Now comes the real stuff, now comes the real game with the real lights flashing on everybody,” defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake said. “Nobody is going to play perfect, and we don’t expect
guys to play perfect, but we want them to play hard, play fast, and I’ll think we’ll do that.” The new headliner on offense is Jacob Eason, a former fivestar prep quarterback from Lake Stevens who sat out the 2018 season after transferring from Georgia. The 6-foot, 6-inch, 227-pound quarterback has been the subject of a great deal of hype since his transfer in 2017. Now he’ll have to do everything he can to live up to it this Saturday against Eastern Washington after being named the starter last week. He’ll be joined in the backfield by Salvon Ahmed, who has shown flashes of brilliance as a reserve change-of-pace tailback behind Gaskin the past two seasons, but hasn’t shown he can be a consistent four-down back yet. Besides those two, the offense will be welcoming back a group of wide receivers and offensive
Conor Courtney The Daily After sitting out 2018 due to transfer rules, Jacob Eason is set to start Week 1 for the Huskies under center.
linemen that have plenty of depth and experience at the UW. While the line, led by Nick Harris, Trey Adams, and Jaxson Kirkland have proven that they can play consistently, the wide receivers have yet to produce a consistent playmaker on the outside or in the slot. “We’ve got a lot of guys there, we need some guys to go out, and that group, to take the next step,” head coach Chris Petersen said. “When you think about this is a group, experienced, playmaking crew, that’s one group that really needs to come on for our offense to take the next step.” The core of Aaron Fuller, Ty Jones, and Andre Baccellia have shown in bursts that they can be effective, but they haven’t yet put it together for a full season. With the re-addition of Chico McClatcher to the starting offense, the Huskies have plenty of tools to work with entering the season. On the defensive side of the ball, which has traditionally been the stronger unit for the Huskies, there are more questions. Leading tackler Ben Burr-Kirven is gone, along with middle linebacker mate Tevis Bartlett and Greg Gaines up front. Everyone aside from Myles Bryant is gone from the starting secondary, but the Dawgs do return Elijah Molden and Keith Taylor, who weren’t starters a season ago, but have played significant snaps throughout their career. That leaves room for plenty of new faces, to make their first career starts, or play in their first career game this Saturday. Where last year, not one true freshman burned their redshirt,
File Photo Elijah Molden lines up in the nickel against North Dakota last season. Molden is in line to start Week 1 against EWU after mostly playing behind Myles Bryant a year ago. that is expected to change in a big way this season, especially in the defensive backfield. After redshirt seasons a year ago, Kyler Gordon, Dominique Hampton, and lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa were all listed in the UW’s two-deep, with Gordon listed as a starting corner. Among true freshmen, Asa Turner and Trent McDuffie were among backups listed, and spring enrollee Cameron Williams is the only true freshman slated to start this weekend. “We have a lot of confidence in them,” Lake said. “We know they’re fast enough, we know they’re tough enough, now they just have to trust their keys and go make plays.” But the defense won’t be entirely comprised of underclassmen, as senior linebacker tandem Brandon Wellington and Kyler Manu are set to start a season for the first time as starters in the middle. “It’s going to be fun,” Wellington said. “We had to wait for our time, we trusted the process and we stuck it out when times were hard. Now
we’re excited to run out there as starters. We’re going to embrace the role and play how we’ve always been playing and trust our roles and our technique.” With what Lake calls a “good balance” of veterans with ample playing time on defense, and a squad full of talented but unproven playmakers on offense, the fans, media, and coaches alike are all wondering what this team will look like as it opens against Eastern Washington at Husky Stadium. “It’s going to be fun to watch these guys play against somebody else,” Lake said. “We’ve been battling against our offense all spring long and all training camp long. They know our defense and we know the offensive plays they’re going to run at us … I think our guys are all ready to hit somebody else.” Reach Sports Editor Alec Dietz at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @AlecDietz
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EWU alum Jimmy Lake ready to face former team By Hailey Robinson The Daily Jimmy Lake still remembers what it’s like to be an FCS team, even one as successful as perennial favorites Eastern Washington, facing a Power 5 team on its own field. “It’s probably a feeling of ‘you have nothing to lose,’” Lake said. “You’re going into the game like,
‘We want to show these guys that we can play with you.’ That was the case when I was at Eastern Washington.” In Lake’s first-ever game coaching, when he was in charge of defensive backs at Eastern Washington in 2000, the Eagles lost by a close margin, 21-19, to an Oregon State team that would go on to win the Pac-10 title.
Conor Courtney The Daily Jimmy Lake began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1999 at EWU, and became a full-time assistant coach in 2000 working with the Eagles’ defensive backs.
“We wanted to play at the highest level and show our families and friends that we could play at the highest level,” Lake said. Lake started his coaching career at EWU at the turn of the century. He played four years there as a strong safety and became a graduate assistant immediately after graduation. The next year, he was put in charge of Eastern’s defensive backs. “[I was] just going through how to run a meeting, how to run a practice, how to be efficient with time,” he said. “How to present efficiently to players and make sure they understand what we’re installing that day. There was a lot of bumps in the road along the way.” Eastern was also where Lake first met Aaron Best, at the time a center for the Eagles, and now their head coach. Best graduated a year after Lake, and they were on the coaching staff at EWU together for a few years before Lake left for his first stint at Washington. “He was that guy you always wanted on your team,” Lake said. “He was tough, he was nasty. He
Conor Courtney The Daily
Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake has been on head coach Chris Petersen’s staff at the UW since he arrived on Montlake in 2014. played through the whistle — Eastern’s past two meetings not to the whistle, through the with Washington have both whistle. He was a leader and you resulted in wins for the Huskies, see the same characteristics with but only by a single score. Lake his football team.” certainly isn’t underestimating After his eligibility was up, his former team when they come Lake stayed on with Eastern as to visit. a student assistant to finish his “The story is we have a big degree. Instead of a career in time opponent coming in here,” business administration, which Lake said. “They’re going to try he studied at Eastern, that and beat us like we’re going to led to a now 20-year career in try to beat them.” coaching. “As a player, you’re just Reach Engagement Editor worried about your position and Hailey Robinson executing your assignments,” at sports@dailyuw.com. Lake said. “When you become a Twitter: @haileyarobin coach, you’re worried about all the guys you’re in charge of. You feel a little more weight on your shoulders, but that’s what I love to do.”
3-2-1, football: The Daily’s primer on Eastern Washington By Evan Wong The Daily After nearly eight months without football since the Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State, the No. 13 Washington football team is preparing to open its season against Eastern Washington for a week one matchup. Let’s take a closer look at the keys and figures of the Huskies’ first opponent of the 2019 season.
3 numbers to know 43.1: The Eagles ranked fourth in the FCS in scoring average a year ago, with just over 43 points per game in 2018, despite scoring the most points due to an extended run in the playoffs. quarterback Gage Gubrud led the Eastern Washington offense for the first five games of the season, but sophomore Eric Barriere filled in after Gubrud suffered an injury in the fifth game. Barriere ensured the
Eagles offense remained highflying, including a 74-point performance against Portland State in which he threw for five touchdowns and rushed in another.
4: Despite a strong passing attack, the Eagles also had four players eclipse 550 yards rushing in 2018. Then-senior Sam McPherson spearheaded the Eagles’ rushing attack and ran for 1,510 yards to go along with 13 rushing touchdowns. Now a senior, Antoine Custer Jr. compiled 625 rushing yards and hit paydirt eight times as a good complementary option to McPherson a year ago but is due for a larger workload this season. Barriere ended the 2018 campaign as the third-leading rusher for the Eagles and tallied 613 yards in addition to eight rushing scores. Senior tailback Tamarick Pierce rounds out Eastern’s rushing threat after averaging 7.9 yards per carry and totaling 550 yards.
Richard N. Clark IV The Easterner Eagles linebacker Chris Ojoh accumlated 105 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and two takeaways last season as a sophomore.
100: A senior last season,
placekicker Roldan Alcobendas nailed all 16 of his field goal attempts last season for the Eagles, a perfect 100%. Alcobendas’ 2018 season included four goals from over 40 yards. He had 119 points on the season, which marked the third time in the last 10 years where an Eastern Washington placekicker has had at least 100 points. While Alcobendas has since graduated, EWU will look to Andre Slyter to be consistent on his kicks as the Eagles primary place kicking option in 2019.
2 players to watch Jayce Gilder - TE Redshirt senior tight end Jayce Gilder was second on the team in receiving touchdowns. With leading wide receiver Nsimba Webster off to the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, Gilder should build off last year’s numbers and is firmly in the running to lead Eastern Washington’s receiving corps in scoring. Gilder was also named one of five co-captains for the upcoming season. Chris Ojoh - LB As a sophomore, Chris Ojoh started eight games throughout the season. After making his starting debut against Cal Poly, Ojoh was a key player for the Eagles during their seven-game winning streak that stretched from mid-October to midDecember. He elevated his play in the championship game against North Dakota State,
Richard N. Clark IV The Easterner Eastern Washington tight end Jayce Gilder was a force last season, catching 20 passes for 237 yards and seven touchdowns. where he tallied 11 tackles and a sack. Ojoh will be a starting linebacker this season and should emerge as a leader for the defense.
1 recap of last season After starting the year out with two wins, the Eagles lost a non-conference matchup against Washington State in Pullman. Eastern Washington would bounce back and win its next three conference games before falling short in an away game to No. 13 Weber State. Following the loss, the Eagles emerged victorious in their next four games to finish their regular season with a 9-2 record. Eastern Washington earned a No. 3 seed in the FCS football
bracket which gave them a firstround bye. The Eagles advanced to the finals after defeating Nicholls State in the second round, No. 6 UC Davis in the quarterfinals, and Maine in the semifinals. Eastern lost to No. 1 North Dakota State in the championship game 38-24. This title game appearance marked the Eagle’s first since they defeated Delaware 20-19 in 2010. Reach reporter Evan Wong at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @evan_wong29
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Four years after starting as true freshman, Nick Harris is commanding the UW offense
By Josh Kirshenbaum The Daily Nick Harris was surprised when, the summer before his senior year of high school, Washington became the first FBS school to offer him a scholarship. It was an
even bigger surprise when just over a year later, then-offensive line coach Chris Strausser told Harris he was going to play as a true freshman. Four years later, and now the unquestioned leader of the UW offensive line, the only surprise
currently on Harris’ mind is where the time went. “It’s pretty crazy when you put it in perspective, just how fast the time has gone by,” Harris said. “But it’s a role I’ve been ready to embrace.” Harris, now with 30 career
starts under his belt, will enter the 2019 season on the preseason All-Pac-12 team, as a second-team preseason AllAmerican, and on the watch lists for the Outland, Rimington, and Wuerffel trophies. But right now, the biggest
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focus for the 6-foot, 1-inch, 302-pound center is stepping into even more of a leadership role in his final year on Montlake. That hasn’t always come naturally for him. Junior Luke Wattenberg, who has known Harris longer than anyone else on the UW roster, first met him when Harris transferred to JSerra Catholic as a sophomore. “I didn’t know what to think of him,” Wattenberg said. “At that time, a lot of transfers were coming in and out, so I thought he was just another one.” Then he saw the new kid take a rep. “As soon as I saw him take his first pass, I saw those feet,” Wattenberg said. “Those quick feet everyone knows of his, and his unreal athletic ability.” Wattenberg — JSerra’s left tackle — said it still took Harris about a year to completely settle in to a spot opposite him on the right side. Even once he was there, he didn’t draw nearly as much attention as Wattenberg from colleges, with most coaches considering Harris — who first came to Washington listed at 270 pounds — too small to play at the next level. But before their freshman seasons, Strausser sat Harris down and told him he wasn’t going to redshirt. “It kind of just shook me and woke me up a little bit and told me I had to get going,” Harris said. He hasn’t stopped since. After four starts as a true freshman — including against No. 1 Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal — Harris became a full-time starter as a sophomore.
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It’s pretty crazy when you put it in perspective, just how fast the time has gone by. But it’s a role I’ve been ready to embrace.
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Ethan Uehara The Daily
Nick Harris makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage during Washington’s season opener against Auburn in 2018. The matchup with the Tigers was Harris’ first career start at center for the Huskies; he went on to start all but one game there for the Dawgs last season.
Going into his junior season, he made the move to center, where he started all but one game last season. Now, he’s taking the final step of his collegiate career as a leader. “He’s a contagious personality,” offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan said. “That guy, whatever he says, this team does and this offense does. He’s genuine, I think he’s authentic, and that guy’s as good of a leader as we have.” It’s a process that began for Harris back as a freshman in 2016. The new face on a line with veterans like veterans like Jake Eldrenkamp and Coleman Shelton, Harris got a first-hand look at how to lead a position group by example. “I think just the pride, the passion they played the game with, how in it they were, and how they took it day-by-day just to get better,” Harris said. “Just
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the way they went about it was the most I took away from them.” There are two facets to Harris’ leadership for the Huskies. On one hand, he’s trying to lead by example in how he prepares, practices, and plays. “I took that next step in my game when I started to separate myself in the mental aspect of things — watching film, watching myself, watching other teams — the mental side of knowing the playbook,” Harris said. “I try to tell them that, just saying that when you get that playbook down, and when you get the film study down, you play faster, you play more confident,
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He’s a contagious personality. That guy, whatever he says, this team does and this offense does. He’s genuine, I think he’s authentic, and that guy’s as good of a leader as we have.
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and your passion for the game kind of grows a little bit, just because you know what you’re doing and you let it loose.” On the other, he’s become on of Washington’s go-to figures to keep things loose. Sometimes it spills onto the field, like that one
time he drew a false start and danced his way to 1.6 million views on Twitter. But on the practice field, that’s just normal Nick Harris. Wattenberg would only describe Harris’ moves as “pretty good,” but said that he ends up dancing almost every day at some point, and that’s one thing that makes him one of the most approachable guys on the offense to younger players. “I always think nothing great is ever accomplished without great energy,” Hamdan said. “Maybe he’s feeling it every day, but sometimes we’ll say ‘If you’re not, fake it,’ and I think guys feed off his energy.” If Wattenberg has known Harris longer than any Husky, Trey Adams — his roommate the past three years — may know him best. “From a football standpoint, he’s amazing,” Adams said. “As a friend, he’s been awesome and a great leader in general.” This year, Washington is set to have three seniors starting on the offensive line. So while the UW’s freshmen are looking to Harris for help with techniques, Wattenberg is watching his old friend to get himself ready to be a leader in his own right as an elder statesman next year. “[I’ve learned] to not be afraid to vocalize,” Wattenberg said. “If you know what you’re doing, run the show. Confidence is one of the main things, and being mentally prepared for games and everything else.” Now that the time has gone by, Harris is starting to face a lot of lasts. His last offseason ended with the beginning of his last training camp at Washington.
Now, he’s set for his last Week 1 matchup to open his last season wearing the purple and gold. So while he’s leading the offense Saturday, he’ll still be more than a little focused internally. “I’ve been playing this game since I was six, and the love I
have for it just grows every day,” Harris said. “The fact that I have the opportunity to be out there is why I’m focused. I’m not taking it for granted, I love every second I’m out there, being with my brothers. This is my last season, so I’m definitely trying to make the best of it every day.”
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After all, there’s still plenty of time for him to surprise some more people. Reach Managing Editor Josh Kirshenbaum at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @J_Kirshenbaum
Conor Courtney The Daily Nick Harris spreads out in the Husky Stadium seats after practice. Harris is one of two current UW offensive linemen to have started as a true freshman, and has 30 career starts under his belt.
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HUSKIES
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NAME Hunter Bryant Aaron Fuller Elijah Molden Terrell Bynum Andre Baccellia Myles Bryant Chico McClatcher Trey Lowe Benning Potoa’e Marquis Spiker Joe Tryon Miki Ah You Jacob Eason Alex Cook Jacob Sirmon Brandon Wellington Josh Calvert Blake Gregory Daniel Heimuli Puka Nacua Dylan Morris Cameron Williams Taj Davis Isaiah Gilchrist Austin Osborne Kyler Gordon Ty Jones Asa Turner Dominique Hampton Quinten Pounds Cameron Davis Trent McDuffie Brandon McKinney Kamari Pleasant Sean McGrew Salvon Ahmed Keith Taylor Ruperake Fuavai Richard Newton Julius Irvin Kyler Manu David Pritchard Kamren Fabiculanan Joel Whitford Mishael Powell Ben Hines Malik Braxton Dustin Bush Tim Horn Jack Westover Zechariah Brown Camden VerStrate Nick Juran Zeke Pelluer Alphonzo Tuputala Myles Rice Carson Smith Van Soderberg Jackson Sirmon Bralen Trice Race Porter Peyton Henry Corey Luciano Edefuan Ulofoshio A.J. Carty Sama Paama Jaxson Kirkland Ariel Ngata MJ Tafisi Drew Fowler Ryan Bowman Troy Fautanu Nick Harris Laiatu Latu John Clark Zion Tupuola-Fetui Draco Bynum Henry Roberts Noah Hellyer Cole Norgaard Henry Bainivalu Chase Skuza M.J. Ale Will Pliska Jared Hilbers Nate Kalepo Trey Adams Gage Harty Luke Wattenberg Julius Buelow Luke Lane Matteo Mele Victor Curne Jordan Chin Devin Culp Fatu Sua-Godinet Jacob Kizer Cade Otton Josiah Bronson Tuli Letuligasenoa Noa Ngalu Hunter Hansen Sam Taimani Levi Onwuzurike Jacob Bandes Faatui Tuitele
POS.
HT. WT.
TE WR DB WR WR DB WR WR DL WR OLB LB QB DB QB LB LB QB LB WR QB DB WR DB WR DB WR DB DB WR TB DB DB TB TB TB DB LB TB DB LB WR DB P DB LB TB DB PK TE DB TB DB TE LB OLB TE PK/P LB OLB P PK TE LB LS DL OL OLB LB LB OLB OL OL OLB DL OLB DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL LS OL OL WR TE WR TE TE DL DL DL OLB DL DL DL DL
6-2 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-8 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-6 6-1 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-7 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-3 5-10 5-9 6-0 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-6 6-5 6-7 6-6 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-8 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-3
239 188 190 189 175 185 183 182 290 193 262 215 227 203 234 226 223 185 217 204 196 191 195 208 199 190 213 187 208 176 197 185 201 213 186 196 195 230 210 191 246 172 181 209 204 234 207 183 211 241 195 167 194 246 224 250 236 200 238 236 183 197 268 231 243 347 323 213 235 210 277 295 302 275 289 266 268 295 259 284 326 307 352 289 316 346 314 279 300 342 202 305 320 174 262 190 254 246 291 318 292 191 321 293 313 300
YR. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. So. Fr. Jr. So. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. So. So. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. So. So. R-Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. So. So. So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Jr. R-Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr.
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HOMETOWN
Issaquah, Wash. / Eastside Catholic McKinney, Texas / Lovejoy West Linn, Ore. / West Linn Long Beach, Calif. / St. John Bosco Thousand Oaks, Calif. / Westlake Pasadena, Calif. / Loyola Federal Way, Wash. / Federal Way Portland, Ore. / Jesuit DuPont, Wash. / Lakes Wildomar, Calif. / Murrieta Valley Renton, Wash. / Hazen Laie, Hawai’i / Kahuku Lake Stevens, Wash. / Lake Stevens Sacramento, Calif. / Sheldon Bothell, Wash. / Bothell Kent, Wash. / Eastside Catholic Oak Park, Calif. / Oaks Christian Sammamish, Wash. / Skyline East Palo Alto, Calif. / Menlo-Atherton Provo, Utah / Orem Puyallup, Wash. / Graham-Kapowsin Bakersfield, Calif. / Bakersfield Chino, Calif. / Upland Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. / Mission Viejo Mukilteo, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy Provo, Utah / Provo Carlsbad, Calif. / Carlsbad Glendale, Ariz. / Centenniel Cypress, Calif. / Cypress Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Upland Westminster, Calif. / St. John Bosco Orange, Calif. / Orange Lutheran Rialto, Calif. / Etiwanda Torrance, Calif. / St. John Bosco Kirkland, Wash. / Juanita Long Beach, Calif. / Servite Auburn, Wash. / O’Dea Lancaster, Calif. / Palmdale Anaheim, Calif. / Servite Pocatello, Idaho / Highland Renton, Wash. / Eastside Catholic Camarillo, Calif. / Westlake Neerim South, Australia / Warragul Seattle, Wash. / O’Dea Snohomish, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy Lynnwood, Wash. / Meadowdale San Diego, Calif. / Mira Mesa Honolulu, Hawai’i / Punahou Bellevue, Wash. / Mount Si Seattle, Wash. / Cleveland Cheney, Wash. / Cheney Mountain View, Calif. / St. Francis Kirkland, Wash. / Lake Washington Federal Way, Wash. / Federal Way Houston, Texas / Bush Santa Clarita, Calif. / Saugus Olympia, Wash. / Capital Brentwood, Tenn. / Brentwood Academy Phoenix, Ariz. / Sandra Day O’Connor Seattle, Wash. / O’Dea Danville, Calif. / Monte Vista Danville, Calif. / Monte Vista / Anchorage, Alaska Santa Ana, Calif. / Servite Waipahu, Hawai’i / Kaimuki Portland, Ore. / Jesuit Reno, Nev. / Folsom West Jordan, Utah / Alta Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue Bellevue, Wash. / IMG Academy (Fla.) Henderson, Nev. / Liberty Inglewood, Calif. / JSerra Catholic Sacramento, Calif. / Jesuit Marysville, Wash. / Marysville Getchell Pearl City, Hawai’i / Pearl City Wilsonville, Ore. / Wilsonville Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview Clements, Calif. / St. Mary’s Sammamish, Wash. / Skyline Sumner, Wash. / Sumner Tacoma, Wash. / Fife Kirkland, Wash. / Lake Washington Beaverton, Ore. / Beaverton Renton, Wash. / Rainier Beach Wenatchee, Wash. / Wenatchee Spokane Valley, Wash. / University Trabuco Canyon, Calif. / JSerra Catholic Kapolei, Hawai’i / Kapolei Belleuve, Wash. / Bellevue Tucson, Ariz. / Salpointe Catholic Houston, Texas / Second Baptist San Fernando, Calif. / Chaminade Prep Spokane, Wash. / Gonzaga Prep Honolulu, Hawai’i / Kamehameha Salem, Ore. / West Salem Tumwater, Wash. / Tumwater Kent, Wash. / Kentwood Concord, Calif. / De La Salle East Palo Alto, Calif. / Menlo-Atherton Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue Salt Lake City, Utah / East Allen, Texas / Allen Pittsburg, Calif. / Pittsburg Honolulu, Hawai’i / Saint Louis
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NAME Talolo Limu-Jones Jayson Williams Eric Barriere Dylan Ledbetter Mitchell Johnson Dennis Merritt Trey Turner Tre Weed Jack Sendelbach Andrew Boston Dre’ Sonte Dorton Freddie Roberson Simon Burkett Kellen Kranc Debore’ae McClain Michael Taras Darrien Sampson Gunner Talkington Micah Smith Champ Grayson Ty Graham Anthony Stell Jr. Ira Branch Dean Sise Tysen Prunty Dehonta Hayes Tamarick Pierce Calin Criner Darreon Moore Kedrick Johnson Antoine Custer Jr. Anthany Smith Marlon Jones Jr. Demetrius Crosby Jr. Bradley Alexander Kyle Bryant Anfernee Gurley Terence Norman Andrew Katzenberger Andre Slyter Joe Lang Justin Patterson Silas Perreiah Trevor Davis Jr. Keshaun King Trevor Bowens Jordan White Blake Ochsner Tamir Hill Steven Flowers Nick Kokich Cody Clements Isaiah Lewis Jim Townsend Emmanuel Osuoha Andrei Leonardi Isaac Flemmer Joshua Jerome Cale Lindsay Rudolph Mataia Jr. Jusstis Warren Luke Dahlgren Chris Ojoh George Becker Nate Hagreen Jacob Newsom Cameron Lynch Brock Harrison Brad Prestegord Chris Schlichting Tristen Taylor Kaleb Levao Aaron Williams Charlie Baumann Will Gram Matthew Hewa Baddege Keith Moore Matt Shook Spencer Blackburn Brad Godwin Wyatt Musser Conner Crist Nicholas Blair Jakobie James Aiden Nellor Xavier James Seth Harrison Chris Johnson Dylan Ingram Julian Houston Johnny Edwards IV Jayce Gilder Sebastian Gomez Warren Hardin Dawson Ingram Trenton Harris Blake Gobel James Durr Darnell Hogan Zion Fa’aopega Soli Paleso’o Caleb Davis
Saturday, August 31, 2019
POS. WR WR QB DL DL RB QB DB LB WR WR WR QB QB DL WR DB QB RB WR LB WR DB DB DB DB RB DB DB DB RB DB DB DB DB RB DB WR LB K/P DB LB RB LB DB P DB DL DB LB K/P LS RB DL LB TE OL DL LB DL LB/DL OL LB OL OL DL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR K/P WR TE TE WR TE DL DL TE TE TE LS DL DL DL DL
HT. 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-9 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-1 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-7 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-7 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-7 6-2 6-4 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-5 6-6 5-11 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3
WT. 220 205 200 275 245 180 190 190 225 185 185 185 185 180 230 195 175 205 190 185 205 170 180 205 205 195 215 185 180 215 190 190 175 190 175 185 185 185 220 220 205 215 210 215 175 165 190 230 185 215 200 225 200 265 215 250 265 275 220 255 250 260 220 265 265 250 250 235 300 295 325 310 250 280 300 325 290 290 290 270 295 300 310 185 225 175 180 210 245 245 180 245 260 225 240 240 220 215 250 240 270 270
YR. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-So. R-Sr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Fr. Sr. R-Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Sr. R-Sr. Sr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Jr. Sr. R-So. Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-So. R-So. Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. Jr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So.
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Vallejo, Calif. / Grace Davis HS Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS Inglewood, Calif. / La Habra HS West Seattle, Wash. / O’Dea HS West Linn, Ore. / West Linn HS Leavenworth, Wash. / Cascade HS Pittsburg, Calif. / Pittsburg HS Sumner, Wash. / Sumner HS Seattle, Wash. / Blanchet HS Puyallup, Wash. / Emerald Ridge HS Pasco, Wash. / Chiawana HS Seattle, Wash. / Rainier Beach HS Bellingham, Wash. / Meridian HS Enumclaw, Wash. / Enumclaw HS Bremerton, Wash. / Peninsula HS Vancouver, Wash. / Heritage HS South Seattle, Wash. / Rainier Beach HS Battle Ground, Wash. / Battle Ground HS Spanaway, Wash. / Graham-Kapowsin HS Kennewick, Wash. / Kamiakin HS Cheney, Wash. / Cheney HS / Idaho Seattle, Wash. / Rainier Beach HS Tacoma, Wash. / Mount Tahoma HS Kirkland, Wash. / Juanita HS / Navy Beaverton, Ore. / Tigard HS Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS Oakland, Calif. / Saint Mary’s HS Boise, Idaho / Rocky Mountain HS Pasco, Wash. / Kamiakin HS Vancouver, Wash. / Hockinson HS Berkeley, Calif. / De La Salle HS Everett, Wash. / Mariner HS Tacoma, Wash. / Curtis HS Tacoma, Wash. / Foss HS Las Vegas, Nevada / Canyon Springs HS / Gramblng St. San Fernando, Calif. / San Fernando HS Everett, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy HS Manvel, Texas / Manvel HS Lynnwood, Wash. / Lynnwood HS Kent, Wash. / Kentwood HS Royal, Wash. / Royal HS Los Angeles, Calif. / Junipero Serra HS Spokane, Wash. / Northwest Christian HS Tumwater, Wash. / Tumwater HS Marysville, Wash. / Marysville Pichuck HS Gardena, Calif. / Redondo Union HS Lynwood, Calif. / Chaparral HS Spokane, Wash. / Lewis & Clark HS Meridian, Idaho / Rocky Mountain HS Grand Coulee, Wash. / Lake Roosevelt HS Tacoma, Wash. / Bellamine Prep HS Richland, Wash. / Richland HS Monroe, Wash. / Monroe HS Okanogan, Wash. / Okanogan HS Seattle, Wash. / Archbishop Murphy HS Bothell, Wash. / Cedar Park Christian Banks, Ore. / Valley Catholic HS Monroe, Wash. / Monroe HS Tacoma, Wash. / Lakes HS Vancouver, Wash. / Evergreen HS Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS / Univ. of Washington Forks, Wash. / Forks HS Sunland, Calif. / Bishop Alemany HS Gridley, Calif. / Gridley HS Cheney, Wash. / Cheney HS Colville, Wash. / Colville HS Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake HS Ridgefield, Wash. / Ridgefield HS Pe Ell, Wash. / Pe Ell HS North Bend, Wash. / Mt. Si HS Stockton, Calif. / Stagg HS Aberdeen, Wash. / Aberdeen HS ‘14 Spokane, Wash. / Central Valley HS Bellevue, Wash. / Newport HS Troy, Idaho / Troy HS Port Coquitlam, B.C. / Terry Fox Secondary Bremerton, Wash. / Olympic HS Graham, Wash. / Graham-Kapowsin HS Bellingham, Wash. / Meridian HS ‘14 Redlands, Calif. / Redlands HS Kennewick, Wash. / Kamiakin HS Tigard, Ore. / Tigard HS Everett, Wash. / Everett HS Redlands, Calif. / Redlands HS Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS Goodyear, Ariz. / Verrado HS Coeur d’Alene, Idaho / Coeur d’Alene HS Sammamish, Wash. / Skyline HS Camas, Wash. / Camas HS Burlington, Wash. / Burlington-Edison HS Pasadena, Calif. / Bishop Alemany HS Corvallis, Mont. / Corvallis HS Salinas, Calif. / Salinas HS Riverside, Calif. / Riverside Poly HS Camas, Wash. / Camas HS Kent, Wash. / Kentwood HS Banks, Ore. / Banks HS Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS Seattle, Wash. / Cleveland HS Vancouver, Wash. / Union HS Fife, Wash. / Fife HS Bonney Lake, Wash. / Bonney Lake HS
8 Saturday, August 31, 2019
THE DAILY
Battle Royale Josh Kirshenbaum
Alec Dietz
Le Bui
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The Daily’s picks for Week 1
Andy Yamashita
Josh Eddy
Hailey Robinson
Evan Wong
EWU vs. UW Northwestern vs. Stanford UC Davis vs. Cal Oregon vs. Auburn New Mexico St. vs. WSU Fresno St. vs. USC Houston vs. Oklahoma Notre Dame vs. Louisville Alabama vs. Duke Louisiana Tech vs. Texas
AP Top 25: Winners and Losers Winners:
No. 1 Clemson Not a real shocker that the Tigers sit atop the rankings heading into the 2019 season, but it’s the first time in school history they’ll start the season at the top spot. The defending champions return Heisman-favorite Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and running back Travis Etienne to lead a loaded offense. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables will need to replace three first round picks on that side of the ball, but the Tigers will probably reload and find themselves in the College Football Playoff for the fifth straight year. No. 14 Utah The Utes may be third-best among Pac-12 teams ranked in the Top-25, but it’s their highest-ever preseason ranking, and there’s going to be room for them to rise. Utah dodges most of the tougher conference teams but does have a roadtrip
No. 13 Washington The Huskies remain at the same spot as they left the 2018 season, which is kind of surprising considering the amount of turnover going into this season. Regardless, head coach Chris Peterson and company will reload with young talent on both sides of the ball and transfer quarterback Jacob Eason has the tools to be an elite playmaker for the Dawgs. A lot of this year’s success will hinge on Eason’s arm and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake’s ability to run out another stalwart defense.
to Washington, a game that will likely be its toughest. The Utes closed out the season without some of their stars in quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss, but still won the Pac-12 South and came within arms reach of their first ever Pac-12 Championship. No. 22 Syracuse The Orange rose as high as No. 12 a season ago before being knocked off by Notre Dame in week 11. Syracuse’s bowl win over West Virginia helped secure its first preseason Top-25 ranking since Donovan McNabb was quarterback in upstate New York. Syracuse has given top-ranked Clemson trouble in recent history, splitting the last two games. With that game held in the Carrier Dome and the rest of the ACC relatively wide-open, look out for the Orange to make some noise in the polls this season.
By Josh Eddy The Daily
Losers: No. 9 Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish’s loss to Clemson in the Sugar Bowl may have looked worse at the time then it really was. After seeing Clemson roll Alabama in the championship game, maybe Notre Dame was the thirdbest team last year? Maybe? Regardless, Ian Book returns to run the offense again and could be in some Heisman talks with a full body of work in 2019. The AP may have dropped Notre Dame too far, but it’ll have a chance to redeem itself Week 3 in a game at SEC-powerhouse Georgia.
No. 23 Washington State: After the Cougars lost both their Heisman hopeful Gardner Minshew at quarterback and lead running back James Williams, they took a big hit in the preseason rankings. Despite winning eight of nine games last season, Washington State yet again missed out on a chance to play for the Pac-12 Championship, and the Cougs found themselves once again failing to get over the hump. They enter the 2019 preseason rankings just barely with a lot of question marks.
Kentucky The Wildcats’ 2018 season of dreams may have been a one-hit wonder. The team that got head coach Mark Stoops his first AP Top-25 ranking has been depleted. His stars Benny Snell Jr. and Josh Allen fled to the NFL along with some other key contributors. Coming into last season, the last time the Wildcats were ranked was 2007, and it may be some time before they’re seen in the polls again. Reach reporter Josh Eddy at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @JoshTreEddy
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Saturday, August 31, 2019
Kirshenbaum: This game is going to be early enough, thank you very much By Josh Kirshenbaum The Daily
UW inside linebackers coach Bob Gregory was answering a question Tuesday morning about how he was going to feel the night before the No. 13 Washington football team opens its season against Eastern Washington, but another discussion crept into his response. “There is nothing to me like college football, especially at Husky Stadium,” Gregory said. “Kickoff time at noon, as college football should be. I’m looking forward to it. I think we’re all going to have a little bit of jitters, but once that thing is kicked off, we’re just playing and having fun.” Did you catch it? That’s right, we’re once again (still?) talking about kickoff times. Back in 2017, controversy came to the shores of Lake Washington with the contrived feud between ESPN and Chris Petersen around the topic of late-night kickoffs. That came and went, pretty much everybody except Mark Jones moved on, and 7 p.m. kickoffs remained a fact of life in the Pac-12. Then, just about a month ago, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry
Scott once again put the topic of kickoff windows at the forefront, saying that Fox wanted the conference to explore a handful of games that would begin at noon — eastern time, that is. Immediately, the concept of having to deal with football games kicking off at 9 a.m. became a battle that seemingly the entire West Coast was rallying around. It didn’t take long for the idea to be tabled after significant backlash from nearly every corner of the conference below the commissioner. But then, Monday afternoon, the topic came back, with at least one Fox executive going on record saying the broadcasting corporation was interested in the
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Kickoff time at noon, as college football should be. I’m looking forward to it. I think we’re all going to have a little be of jitters, but once that thing is kicked off, we’re just playing and having fun.
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idea for next season, particularly for either Washington’s non conference matchup with Michigan, or Oregon’s with Ohio State. As of Tuesday afternoon, Stewart Mandel’s initial tweet about the announcement had drawn 126 replies. By my count, four were positive. If the idea of having any college football game — let alone Washington’s biggest home non conference matchup since No. 8 Nebraska came to Husky Stadium in 2010 — begin at breakfast time sounds insane, that’s because it is. Lower attendance numbers have been a problem for the Pac-12 recently; making fans wake up earlier than they would for work on a weekday to come to the stadium won’t fix that. Player wellbeing has also been a concern; making studentathletes get up at 4 a.m. to get to the field is only going to harm them. “Lack of exposure” has been a worry, and it’s very true that having games start after half of the country has gone to sleep limits the number of eyeballs on West Coast football. But ask yourself, is the solution to that problem to make your best teams play before most college students are willing to wake up? If only there was a middle ground — say, the seven hours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. most people reserve to do anything on
the weekend. Chris Petersen, surprisingly, is not a fan of the idea. At a press conference two weeks ago, he recalled a 9 a.m. game he had as the head coach at Boise State — his word for waking up at 4:30 in the morning to get to the field on time was “miserable.” His counterpart at WSU, Mike Leach, was somehow even more blunt about it, asking his Twitter following if anybody thought it was a good idea. Athletic Director Jen Cohen is also on record saying that she would not agree to playing a game in a 9 a.m. window. Gregory, who dealt with a 9 a.m. kickoff for a game as Cal’s defensive coordinator in 2004, didn’t worry about how
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his players would deal with it so much as the fans. “The only thing I’d be concerned about, just like our very late games, is if it’s good for the fans if they show up,” Gregory said. “Sometimes it’s so late for families, it’s hard to show up. I can see it being too early to show up.” For his part, defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake only smiled and took a deep breath. “Whatever time they tell me to play, we’re going to be ready to go.” Reach Managing Editor Josh Kirshenbaum at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @J_Kirshenbaum
Ethan Uehara The Daily Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott hands former UW corner Byron Murphy the Pac-12 Championship MVP trophy last December. Scott recently made headlines after saying the Pac-12 would be interested in pursuing 9 a.m. kickoffs in the future.
THE DAILY Editor-in-Chief Mira Petrillo editor@dailyuw.com
Managing Editor Josh Kirshenbaum managing@dailyuw.com Publisher Diana Kramer dianakramer@dailyuw.com Advertising Manager Isaac Jundt admanager@dailyuw.com Advertising Inquiries 206-543-2336 ads@dailyuw.com Sports Editor Alec Dietz sports@dailyuw.com Photo Editor Lydia Ely photo@dailyuw.com Design Editor Dylan McKone design@dailyuw.com Copy Chiefs Trevor Hunt Sam Steele copy@dailyuw.com
10 Saturday, August 31, 2019
THE DAILY
Game-by-game breakdown of the UW’s 2019 season By Evan Wong The Daily
Aug. 31 vs. Eastern Washington The UW’s season opener against Eastern Washington will be the first time they showcase Jacob Eason in game action, and the Huskies will look to get the ground-game going with Salvon Ahmed and company with an experienced offensive line. Washington’s defense will have its handful with EWU quarterback Eric Barriere, and despite a couple close contests with Eastern recently, the Huskies should have no problem with this matchup.
Sept. 7 vs. California The Huskies face their first conference foe early this season in Cal, who beat the Huskies in Berkeley last year in an ugly 1210 loss. Sophomore quarterback Chase Garbers returns for the Bears offense, and the defense is full of experience that features plenty of senior and junior starters. Washington will face more resistance against Cal’s stingy defense, which only allowed 21.3 points per game last year, tied for 24th best among FBS teams. While this game could be tough in the early season, it will be a good test for Eason and the offense in Week 2.
Sept. 14 vs. Hawai’i Watching Hawai’i’s opener against Arizona should have the Husky defense licking its chops. The Rainbow Warriors turned the ball over six times in a sloppy win over the Wildcats, and even though the UW defense doesn’t have a ton of experience, after good opening games against Eastern and Cal, they should be up to the challenge against a turnover-prone Hawai’i squad. The Hawai’i defense also showed that it’s susceptible to giving up plenty of yards and points. Playing at home, this should be a game that the UW wins.
its first away game of the 2019 campaign, it will be interesting to see how Washington’s offense and defense look in a hostile environment after starting the season with three home games.
Sept. 28 vs. USC Sophomore quarterback JT Daniels returns for the Trojans offense, along with a group of veteran wideouts in senior Michael Pittman Jr. and junior Tyler Vaughns. The last time the Trojans visited the Huskies in 2016, USC gave Washington its first loss that season and nearly spoiled the UW’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. USC should look better than it did in 2018 given the experience and new offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, but this is still a game that the Huskies should win at home.
Oct. 5 @ Stanford The last time the Huskies left the Farm with a victory was 2007. Yes, 12 years ago. Senior quarterback K.J. Costello returns for the Cardinal after throwing for 272.3 yards per game and 29 passing touchdowns last season. Following running back Bryce Love’s departure, fifth-year senior Cameron Scarlett should take over the rushing duties for the Cardinal. With David Shaw still leading the Stanford program, the Cardinals will push the Huskies to the limit.
Oct. 12 @ Arizona
Despite the fact that Arizona lost their season opener to Hawai’i, this team is dangerous given their explosive offense that’s led by quarterback Khalil Tate and running back J.J. Taylor. Arizona’s defense got gashed by the Hawai’i offense and allowed 595 yards. However, the Huskies have had trouble in the state of Arizona in the past, and back-toback road matchups are tough for any team, yet the Huskies should come in and leave Tucson with a win despite all that.
Sept. 21 @ BYU Playing away from Husky Stadium proved to be a challenge for Washington last year. The UW took care of business against BYU at home last year, but playing BYU in Provo won’t be an easy task. Sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson is back at the helm for the Cougars after appearing in nine games last season. In
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Oct. 19 vs. Oregon Following a victory over the Huskies last season, quarterback Justin Herbert announced he would return to the Ducks for his senior season. A top10 recruiting class in 2019 is headlined by 247Sports composite No. 2 overall recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux, a highly touted defensive prospect.
File Photo Junior defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike brings down Cal quarterback Chase Garbers last season in Berkeley. Onwuzurike will look to keep chasing Garbers in Week 2 when the Golden Bears come to Husky Stadium for Washington’s Pac-12 opener. This game has all the makings of an all-time classic, and should come down to the wire as both teams vie for Pac-12 North superiority.
given the Friday night kickoff following a tough Utah game. However, the Beavers still have a ways to go before they can compete with the Dawgs.
Nov. 2 vs. Utah
Nov. 23 @ Colorado
Following its bye week, the UW should be well-rested in a rematch of the 2018 Pac-12 championship game. It will all but surely look like the last couple times the Huskies have played the Utes, in what has become one of the better Pac-12 matchups over the years. Valuing each possession will be important for the Huskies as they look to fend off the pesky Utes defense. Just one turnover could change the game in either team’s favor in this early November game.
The Huskies are fortunate to have byes in October and November. Depth and staying healthy will be paramount for the Huskies all season long, but especially during the latter part of their schedule. Colorado has a new head coach in Mel Tucker, who was defensive coordinator for Georgia from 2016-18. Senior quarterback Steven Montez will look to guide the Buffaloes offense as they try to bounce back after finishing last in the Pac-12 South last year.
Nov. 8 @ Oregon State Former UW offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith enters Year 2 as Oregon State’s head coach, and the Beavers should show some improvement. This has the potential to be a trap game for the Dawgs,
offense in his fifth year with the Washington State program and will put up some gaudy numbers in the pass-happy offense. Washington has won six straight Apple Cups, and until WSU takes a game against Chris Petersen, you can’t go against them. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake has a firm grasp of what the Cougars want to accomplish on offense, and he ensures that his defense is ready every year. Reach reporter Evan Wong at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @evan_wong29
Nov. 29 vs. Washington State Gardner Minshew led the Cougars’ offense last year, and it appears that senior quarterback Anthony Gordon will take that responsibility this year. Gordon has a firm grasp of the Air Raid
Conor Courtney The Daily
File Photo
Senior Aaron Fuller runs upfield against BYU at Husky Stadium last season. This year, UW will see the Cougars in Provo, Utah in Week 4.
The Dawgs and Cougs trenches battle it out in a short-yardage situation in last year’s Apple Cup. After duking it out in the snow a year ago in Pullman, the Apple Cup will be played in Seattle this year.
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THE DAILY
Freshmen Bios By Andy Yamashita The Daily
Saturday, August 31, 2019
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As the new season approaches, the Washington football team will welcome a new class of recruits to Montlake. With the Huskies trending up after three straight New Year’s Six appearances, the Dawgs pulled in the No. 15 recruiting class in 2019, according to 247Sports, its highest in the Chris Petersen era. Here’s a brief rundown of each of the new players on campus. All photos courtesy of UW Athletics
Dylan Morris - QB The first commit of the 2019 class, four-star Puyallup native Dylan Morris was a four-year starter for GrahamKapowsin High School, where he threw for 9,815 yards and 99 touchdowns. Camden VerStrate - RB A walk-on running back from Cheney High School, VerStrate earned second-team All-Great Northern League as a senior in 2018. He is a state champion at the 2A level in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash and also played basketball and soccer during his time at Cheney. Cameron Davis - RB One of two Davises arriving from Upland High School in California, Cameron Davis rushed for 3,328 yards and 42 touchdowns during his threeyear varsity career. Taj Davis - WR Three-star Taj Davis was the first wideout committed to the 2019 class. Davis caught 110 passes during his three-year career at Upland High School for 2,239 yards and 23 touchdowns. Puka Nacua - WR The last recruit to join the 2019 class, Nacua was the highest-rated offensive player in the class. A standout at Orem High in Utah, he committed to Washington after flipping from USC.
Corey Luciano - TE Though three-star Luciano was originally recruited as an offensive lineman, the Huskies announced that the only JUCO transfer in the 2019 class would switch to tight end after spring ball. Zeke Pelluer - TE The son of former Husky quarterback Steve Pelluer, Zeke Pelluer was a quarterback and wide receiver at Lake Washington High School but will be walking on as a tight end for the Huskies. Carson Smith - TE A walk-on tight end from Saugus High School, Smith was a standout defensive end in high school, earning All-League honors after picking up 42 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss.
Troy Fautanu - OL The highest rated offensive lineman recruited by the Huskies, Fautanu spent four years playing varsity football at Liberty High School, where he earned All-State honors.
Julius Buelow - OL One of five recruits from Hawaii making their way to the Pacific Northwest this season, Buelow spent two years playing varsity football at Kapolei High School on Oahu.
Nate Kalepo - OL A local four-star offensive lineman from Rainier Beach, Kalepo earned first-team All-State honors from The Seattle Times and Tacoma News Tribune. He was a Polynesian Bowl All-Star and participated at The Opening. Cameron Williams - DB Committed to Oregon at first, Williams flipped to Washington once defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake offered. In three seasons, he managed 58 tackles and three interceptions.
Trent McDuffie - DB The highest-rated defensive player in the class, McDuffie made 106 tackles, picked off seven passes, and recovered six fumbles in his three years at St. John Bosco. Asa Turner - DB Turner was offered by schools as a safety, outside linebacker, and wide receiver. He originally committed to Washington in July of 2018, backed off at signing day after pressure from Notre Dame, but ultimately recommitted to the Huskies in February. Kamren Fabiculanan - DB Fabiculanan arrives at Montlake after a productive career at Westlake High School in Southern California. He notched 120 tackles and three interceptions during his two years on Westlake’s varsity team. Mishael Powell - DB A three-star defensive back out of O’Dea High School, Powell chose to walk on at Washington over offers from Air Force, Eastern Washington, and several Ivy League schools.
Nick Juran - DB A walk-on safety out of St. Francis High School in the Bay Area, Juran earned All-League and All-Bay Area honorable mentions following the 2018 season. Laiatu Latu - OLB Another freshman who has been name-checked by head coach Chris Petersen in press conferences, Latu had 94 tackles as a senior for Jesuit High School near Sacramento, including 29.5 for loss. Bralen Trice - OLB The Huskies’ lone recruit from Arizona, Trice accumulated 75 tackles and 14.5 sacks as a junior.
Hunter Hansen - OLB A tight end and outside linebacker at Bellevue High School, Hansen chose to walk on at Washington over an offer from the Colorado School of Mines.
Daniel Heimuli - ILB One of two new Huskies from Menlo-Atherton High School in the Bay Area, Heimuli was the Polynesian Bowl Defensive MVP opposite Nacua.
Josh Calvert - ILB Washington’s lone Under Armor AllAmerican in the 2019 class, Calvert was also the quarterback at Thousand Oaks High School for the last two seasons.
Alphonzo Tuputala - ILB Another Polynesian Bowl AllStar, Tuputala co-led the game in tackles with Heimuli, Latu, and others. Tuputala was also named to All-State teams by several different publications. Miki Ah You - ILB A member of one of the most influential footballing families in Hawaii, Ah You missed most of his senior year at Kahuku High School after suffering an ACL injury early in the season. As a junior, he helped lead the Red Raiders to the Hawaii Open Division championship game. Ruperake Fuavai - ILB A three-star inside linebacker from O’Dea High School, Fuavai chose to walk onto the Huskies over scholarship offers from Idaho, New Mexico, and Pac-12 rivals Oregon State. Drew Fowler - ILB The highest rated walk-on in the 2019 class, three-star Fowler chose Washington despite scholarship offers from UCLA, Utah, Louisville, Oregon State, and others, ultimately turning down 21 other schools for the Huskies. Faatui Tuitele - DL The highest-ranked player from Hawaii, four-star Tuitele selected Washington over 39 schools and a final five that included Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, and Clemson.
Jacob Bandes - DL Washington’s highest-ranked defensive lineman, four-star Bandes racked up 137 tackles and 14 sacks at Pittsburgh High School while earning All-State and league MVP honors in 2018. Sama Paama - DL A two-way lineman and occasional kicker, Paama earned league MVP and All-State honors during his senior year at Kaimuki High School in Hawaii.
Noa Ngalu - DL A teammate of Heimuli at MenloAtherton High School in East Palo Alto, Ngalu recorded 56 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and seven sacks as he led the Bears to the state title in 2018.
Tim Horn - PK The last recruit out of Hawaii, Horn was ranked the No. 2 kicker in the 2019 class by former UCLA kicker Chris Sailer during his time at Punahou High School.
Reach Bay Area Correspondent Andy Yamashita at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @ANYamashita
12 Thursday, August 31, 2019
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