Here we go.
I love the team this year and really think they can build off of last year. Sarkisian had perhaps his best recruiting class, hauling in all five of the state's blue chip recruits, headlined by Kasen Williams (Parade Magazine's National POY) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a highly touted TE who was being heavily recruited by Texas. Bishop Sankey, a four-star RB out of Spokane, is also in the mix, as is Danny Shelton, Marcus Peters and a few other incoming freshman. Washington is the youngest team in the Pac-12. All of the above mentioned players will most likely get solid playing time.
The quarterback battle between Keith Price and Nick Montana is obviously led by Price at this point. He has one more year in the system, has a bit more game experience (@ Oregon last year) and gives Washington a mobile QB behind a young line. From what I've heard though, both have been neck and neck at camp, with both guys having good days. It's Price's job to lose at this point, but we all know that Sark will choose the best guy. Freshman Derrick Brown should redshirt, but this three-star recruit out of Cali has great size (6'3" 236) and has the strongest arm of all the QB's, but he's raw.
Grade: C+
Running back is a huge strength. Hopefully Polk recovers nicely from getting his knee scoped, but if he doesn't, we're covered with Jesse Callier, Bishop Sankey and Johri Fogerson. I am actually hoping that Polk sits out until the Nebraska game, but that puts a huge hit on his Heisman hopes (as slim as they may be). I'm not saying the first two games will be easy wins, but U-Dub should be 2-0 when they make the trek to Lincoln to play my other favorite team, the Cornhuskers. Our fullbacks are Jonathan Amosa and Nick Holt, but let's hope both won't need to be used for much more than blocking. Neither one will probably get a carry all season.
Grade: A-
Receiver is another position of depth. Returning are starters Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar. We have Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams and Cody Bruns in the mix for some serious playing time as well. I've heard that Williams might push Aguilar for the #2 spot behind Kearse, but I don't think that really matters. Smith is a playmaker and is probably our fastest receiver, while Bruns is the classic possession type who runs very solid routes. After these guys, it gets a little thin, but hopefully James Johnson bounces back and some of the youngsters make their mark.
Grade: B+
Tight end is the youngest position on the team. Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Michael Hartvigson are battling it out for the starting role, but both will play a lot in some double tight sets that Sark will implement. The potential with these two is huge. I've heard that ASJ has impressed a great deal with his hands and athletic ability, though he is behind Hartvigson as far as blocking is concerned. Rounding out the tight ends are Evan Hudson (RS-FR) and Marlion Barnett (RS-SO). Barnett is undersized at 6'2" 224 and probably won't see much of the field. He might move to fullback.
Grade: C- (youth really brings this grade down, but the potential is there for a B at season's end)
Offensive line is an area of weakness. We're young on the line, but there is some definite talent there. Senio Kelemete should be better this year. Colin Porter has NFL lineman written all over him, and hopefully Erik Kohler makes some big strides this season. It's an unimpressive group at this point, but that is not due to performance, but rather a lack of experience.
Grade: C
Our defensive line is probably our biggest strength on defense. Alameda Ta'amu should find himself on the Pac-12 first team if he plays up to his potential. Everrette Thompson provides some leadership and experience at one of the DE spots, though he will play DT as well. Semisi Tokalahi is talented, but has to come back from a horrible broken ankle suffered last season. Again, a lot of youth here, with Sione Potoae, Danny Shelton, Josh Shirley (rush end) and a couple other youngsters. There's a lot of recruiting stars on the DL, but we'll have to see if they translate that to the field.
Grade: B
The linebacker core, just like the tight end position, is loaded with youth. We have Cort Dennison who will captain the defense at MLB. While not extremely talented, he seems to be a smart, instinctive football player who could find himself getting some recognition on one of the postseason Pac-12 teams. The rest of the guys here are extremely young and inexperienced. Again, a lot of potential, but not a lot of college football experience. I am really excited to see John Timu (true freshman) and Thomas Tutogi in action this year.
Grade: C-
Washington's secondary is led by junior cornerback Desmond Trufant. Expectations for this kid are sky high this year, and he has to step up. He had a bit of a sophomore slump last year, so it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back. By all accounts, he has had a great fall camp. At the other corner spots, incumbent starter Quinton Richardson is currently hurt. Anthony Gobern and Greg Ducre are fighting to see who will get more looks if Richardson is out for an extended period of time. Marcus Peters, a true freshman, is impressing in camp and will definitely see the field this year. At safety, Sean Parker is the most talented, while Nate Fellner brings some experience to the fold. James Sample, a true freshman, looks good, as does some older veterans, such as Justin Glenn.
Grade: C
Special teams... PK Erik Folk had a bit of a rough year last season, but has been pretty good over his UW career. He's one of the five best kickers in the conference and should have a bounce back season. Will Mahan and Kiel Rasp are battling for the punting job. For the return game, well, we don't know who's returning kicks yet. This group is a tough one to judge.
Grade: C
Overall, Husky fans have reason to be excited, but this team won't make a whole lot of noise this season. A repeat of seven wins and a bowl game would be a success considering how young this team is, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a five or eight win season. It's just tough to know what to expect here with all of the youth. If one of the QB's steps up, the offense has a chance to put up A LOT of points, but the defense will give up a lot, too.
It's going to be a fun year for Washington football.
I love the team this year and really think they can build off of last year. Sarkisian had perhaps his best recruiting class, hauling in all five of the state's blue chip recruits, headlined by Kasen Williams (Parade Magazine's National POY) and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a highly touted TE who was being heavily recruited by Texas. Bishop Sankey, a four-star RB out of Spokane, is also in the mix, as is Danny Shelton, Marcus Peters and a few other incoming freshman. Washington is the youngest team in the Pac-12. All of the above mentioned players will most likely get solid playing time.
The quarterback battle between Keith Price and Nick Montana is obviously led by Price at this point. He has one more year in the system, has a bit more game experience (@ Oregon last year) and gives Washington a mobile QB behind a young line. From what I've heard though, both have been neck and neck at camp, with both guys having good days. It's Price's job to lose at this point, but we all know that Sark will choose the best guy. Freshman Derrick Brown should redshirt, but this three-star recruit out of Cali has great size (6'3" 236) and has the strongest arm of all the QB's, but he's raw.
Grade: C+
Running back is a huge strength. Hopefully Polk recovers nicely from getting his knee scoped, but if he doesn't, we're covered with Jesse Callier, Bishop Sankey and Johri Fogerson. I am actually hoping that Polk sits out until the Nebraska game, but that puts a huge hit on his Heisman hopes (as slim as they may be). I'm not saying the first two games will be easy wins, but U-Dub should be 2-0 when they make the trek to Lincoln to play my other favorite team, the Cornhuskers. Our fullbacks are Jonathan Amosa and Nick Holt, but let's hope both won't need to be used for much more than blocking. Neither one will probably get a carry all season.
Grade: A-
Receiver is another position of depth. Returning are starters Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar. We have Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams and Cody Bruns in the mix for some serious playing time as well. I've heard that Williams might push Aguilar for the #2 spot behind Kearse, but I don't think that really matters. Smith is a playmaker and is probably our fastest receiver, while Bruns is the classic possession type who runs very solid routes. After these guys, it gets a little thin, but hopefully James Johnson bounces back and some of the youngsters make their mark.
Grade: B+
Tight end is the youngest position on the team. Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Michael Hartvigson are battling it out for the starting role, but both will play a lot in some double tight sets that Sark will implement. The potential with these two is huge. I've heard that ASJ has impressed a great deal with his hands and athletic ability, though he is behind Hartvigson as far as blocking is concerned. Rounding out the tight ends are Evan Hudson (RS-FR) and Marlion Barnett (RS-SO). Barnett is undersized at 6'2" 224 and probably won't see much of the field. He might move to fullback.
Grade: C- (youth really brings this grade down, but the potential is there for a B at season's end)
Offensive line is an area of weakness. We're young on the line, but there is some definite talent there. Senio Kelemete should be better this year. Colin Porter has NFL lineman written all over him, and hopefully Erik Kohler makes some big strides this season. It's an unimpressive group at this point, but that is not due to performance, but rather a lack of experience.
Grade: C
Our defensive line is probably our biggest strength on defense. Alameda Ta'amu should find himself on the Pac-12 first team if he plays up to his potential. Everrette Thompson provides some leadership and experience at one of the DE spots, though he will play DT as well. Semisi Tokalahi is talented, but has to come back from a horrible broken ankle suffered last season. Again, a lot of youth here, with Sione Potoae, Danny Shelton, Josh Shirley (rush end) and a couple other youngsters. There's a lot of recruiting stars on the DL, but we'll have to see if they translate that to the field.
Grade: B
The linebacker core, just like the tight end position, is loaded with youth. We have Cort Dennison who will captain the defense at MLB. While not extremely talented, he seems to be a smart, instinctive football player who could find himself getting some recognition on one of the postseason Pac-12 teams. The rest of the guys here are extremely young and inexperienced. Again, a lot of potential, but not a lot of college football experience. I am really excited to see John Timu (true freshman) and Thomas Tutogi in action this year.
Grade: C-
Washington's secondary is led by junior cornerback Desmond Trufant. Expectations for this kid are sky high this year, and he has to step up. He had a bit of a sophomore slump last year, so it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back. By all accounts, he has had a great fall camp. At the other corner spots, incumbent starter Quinton Richardson is currently hurt. Anthony Gobern and Greg Ducre are fighting to see who will get more looks if Richardson is out for an extended period of time. Marcus Peters, a true freshman, is impressing in camp and will definitely see the field this year. At safety, Sean Parker is the most talented, while Nate Fellner brings some experience to the fold. James Sample, a true freshman, looks good, as does some older veterans, such as Justin Glenn.
Grade: C
Special teams... PK Erik Folk had a bit of a rough year last season, but has been pretty good over his UW career. He's one of the five best kickers in the conference and should have a bounce back season. Will Mahan and Kiel Rasp are battling for the punting job. For the return game, well, we don't know who's returning kicks yet. This group is a tough one to judge.
Grade: C
Overall, Husky fans have reason to be excited, but this team won't make a whole lot of noise this season. A repeat of seven wins and a bowl game would be a success considering how young this team is, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a five or eight win season. It's just tough to know what to expect here with all of the youth. If one of the QB's steps up, the offense has a chance to put up A LOT of points, but the defense will give up a lot, too.
It's going to be a fun year for Washington football.
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