1998 Washington Spring Football Outlook
April 10, 1998
Husky Stadium has become the largest classroom at the University of Washington this spring. Classes are held every Monday, Thursday, Friday and even Saturday. The subject is Football 101 and from the makeup of the class, it looks like an prerequisite for underclassmen.
"We'll be doing a lot of teaching this spring," says Washington football coach Jim Lambright. "When you lose as many seniors and starters as we did, that phase of things becomes critical. At the same time, this will be a fun spring because we have a number of younger players competing for positions in the depth chart. It will be a very competitive situation."
In other words, there will be no grading on the scale this spring for the Huskies.
Gone from last season's 8-4 team that defeated Michigan State 51-23 in the Jeep Aloha Bowl are 27 lettermen (15 offense, 11 defense, 1 kicker), including six starters on offense and five on defense. That group includes seven first-team all-Pac-10 players and a second-team selection. The 11 starting seniors combined to start 264 games during their careers.
There are impact players on both offense and defense who need to be replaced. Gone are All-American offensive linemen Benji Olson (guard) and Olin Kreutz (center), who opted to declare for the NFL draft a year early. Also missing from the offensive line is tight end Cameron Cleeland, who finished his UW career fifth on the all-time tight end receiving list with 50 receptions.
Tailback Rashaan Shehee, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry on 139 rushes in eight games, is also gone. Shehee rushed for 2,150 yards during his career and was an excellent receiver with 44 receptions. The losses at skill positions also include All-American split end Jerome Pathon, who set the UW single-season receiving record with 1,245 yards in 1997. Flanker Fred Coleman, while overshadowed by Pathon's lofty numbers, finished his career with the eighth most receptions (97) of a Husky player.
On defense the Huskies have to find replacements for outside linebacker Jerry Jensen (86 tackles) and Jason Chorak. Chorak racked up 59.5 tackles for loss (UW career leader) and 25.5 sacks during his career. Also gone is free safety Tony Parrish, who led the team with four interceptions in 1997, defensive end Chris Campbell and nose tackle Sekou Wiggs.
"Not only do we have to replace a lot of experience, but we have to have players step into leadership roles," Lambright says. "Spring is always a time devoted to finding depth and that will be critical for us."
Washington begins spring drills with just six seniors listed as starters. Two other seniors, center Ben Kadletz (knee) and strongside linebacker Josh Smith (shoulder) will miss drills while recovering from off-season surgery. Both players are expected back for fall practice.
Offense
Quarterback
With a leading returning receiver who is a backup tailback with only eight catches last season, it might sound surprising that Washington will put more emphasis on the passing game in 1998. But with a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and All-American passing the ball, Lambright feels he has the player-leader to bring a young receiving cast into the spotlight.
Last season junior quarterback Brock Huard teamed up with backup Marques Tuiasosopo to set a Washington single-season passing record. Huard passed for 2,140 yards and Tuiasosopo added 650. The combined for 26 touchdowns, threw only 11 interceptions in 308 attempts and completed 59 percent of their passes.
Huard enters his third year as the starting quarterback with 3,818 career passing yards. He needs to throw for 1,875 yards to surpass his older brother, Damon, as the Huskies' all-time leading passer. Huard already owns Washington's career record for touchdown passes with 36. His 23 scoring tosses last year was a single-season record.
"Brock is an exceptional player at quarterback," Lambright says. "He really takes control of the team. As a passer, he can put a nice touch on a short route or throw the deep ball accurately. He knows he needs to get stronger and become more durable and he's putting in the time in the weight room to accomplish that."
Last season a sprained ankle forced Huard out of the majority of two games he started and did not allow him to play in a loss to Oregon.
As a backup, Tuiasosopo was extremely poised for a true freshman. He passed for 270 yards vs. Nebraska and 261 yards vs. Oregon.
Joining Huard and Tuiasosopo at quarterback next season will be redshirt freshman J.K. Scott. He will add another passer with a strong arm and solid mechanics to the Huskies' long line of successful quarterbacks. Jon Minter, a sophomore quarterback who redshirted last season, has moved to receiver for the '98 season.
"This will be a year where we might use the pass to help set up the run," Lambright says. "We've always been a well-balanced offense and I don't see that changing. If we have Brock all year, I think you'll see him put up some very impressive numbers."
Running Back
A knee injury that kept Rashaan Shehee out of the final three games of the 1997 season allowed backups junior Maurice Shaw and senior Jason Harris to gain some valuable playing experience. Shaw heads into spring drills as the likely candidate to replace Shehee after rushing for 538 yards on 125 attempts (4.3 avg.) last season. While he does not possess Shehee's breakaway speed, at 6-0, 215 pounds, Shaw has proven to be a tough runner. A sore back that may require surgery could hamper Shaw's efforts during the spring to take over the top tailback spot.
Harris produced about half of Shaw's numbers last year. He carried the ball 60 times for 269 yards (4.5 avg.) in limited appearances. Harris is the more versatile of the two players. He is the team's leading returning receiver with eight receptions totaling 42 yards last year.
Redshirt freshmen Jabari Johnson will be given strong consideration for minutes during the spring since he is the team's only other scholarship running back following the transfer of classmate Albert Tuipulotu. Lambright has indicated he will not hesitate to use a freshman next fall at the position if necessary.
Sophomore Pat Conniff returns as the Huskies' fullback after taking over the position last year as a true freshman. While a limited part of Washington's offense, Conniff was extremely productive as a freshman. He carried the ball only 12 times but accounted for five first downs. Sophomore Devon Johnson, an h-back last season, has been moved to fullback for spring drills.
"We need to stay healthy at running back and to have these players work with our offensive line," Lambright says. "It will be interesting to see how our running backs respond to the challenge because we have to be able to run the ball to have success."
Wide Receiver
Replacing Pathon and Coleman, who accounted for 111 receptions, 1968 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, will be the tallest challenge for the Huskies. Washington returns only four receivers/h-backs who caught a pass last season. That quartet combined for 15 receptions totaling 220 yards and three scores.
While lacking in playing time, the UW receivers do have some talent. That list starts at split end with sophomore Ja'Warren Hooker, who could prove to be one of the most exciting players in the nation.
Last season Hooker touched the ball only eight times but turned four plays into touchdowns. His first touch resulted in an 89-yard kickoff return for a score at Arizona. He averaged 22.7 yards per catch on six receptions and hauled in three TD passes. His blazing speed makes Hooker a big-play possibility every time he is on the field. The national high school sprint champion in 1997, Hooker won the 1998 NCAA Indoor Track Championship in the 55-meters this year. Hooker will divide his time during the spring between football (weekdays) and track (weekends).
"All he needs is time and experience," Lambright says. "He needs to work on releasing off the line of scrimmage when players get a hold of him. More than anything he needs time and repetitions. He is without a doubt the fastest player to ever play at the University of Washington. He is very goal oriented and can be a tremendous asset to our team. He is a threat when he is on the field and defenses are going to have to prepare for that. He will open up a lot of things for our offense."
Washington's other returning receivers includes senior Andre DeSaussure, who had three receptions totaling 29 yards in 1997 and senior Marvin Kasim and sophomores Mijo Austin and Dajuan Hawkins, who have no career receptions.
The receiving corps will be bolstered by the return of an injured player and a transfer. Sophomore Gerald Harris will miss spring practice while recovering from knee surgery but is expected to return in the fall. As a true freshman in 1996, Harris had six receptions for 107 yards and was the number three receiver prior to his injury. Junior Dan Looker will be eligible for the Huskies after sitting out last season following his transfer from Western Washington. A former high school teammate of Huard, Looker has impressed the coaching staff enough to enter spring drills as a number two receiver.
Washington has a pair of speedy players who return to the h-back position. Junior Joe Jarzynka and sophomore Patrick Reddick split time there last season and combined for six receptions.
"There is no question we need some players to step up in this area," Lambright says. "While they may not have the stats, I feel this is a very hard working group of players. They'll put in the extra time after practice and this summer with our quarterbacks to become a good group of receivers."
Tight End
Washington has turned into Tight End U. during the 1990s. The last three players to start at the position are currently starting in the NFL and last year's Husky tight ends -- Cameron Cleeland and Jeremy Brigham -- could both be selected in this year's NFL draft.
Senior Reggie Davis has been moved from h-back to fill the void at tight end. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, Davis will be one of the lightest tight ends in recent Husky history, but he will create coverage problems with his speed. Last season he caught two passes for 32 yards and one score.
Sophomore John Westra, who lettered last season as a true freshman, enters the spring as Davis' backup. The tight end corps is one of the deepest positions on the team. In addition to Westra, Anthony Mizin and Kevin Cooper have game experience. Senior Chris Lang, a former defensive end, has also moved to the position.
"Reggie Davis really gives us a good-looking, running athlete at this position," Lambright says. "He has moved around a lot on our team, but I think this is a position that will allow him to shine. He's a good leader on the team and he'll do a good job of helping out younger players along."
Offensive Line
Despite the loss of two first-team All-Americans, Washington's offensive line should be a solid foundation for the offense. Three starters and several game-experienced veterans return from last year's unit which led the Pac-10 in sacks allowed (24).
All-American candidate Tony Coats (6-7, 300) has switched from weakside tackle to weakside guard this spring. A two-year starter, Coats is one of four seniors who could start on the line.
Other returning starters include senior strongside tackle Aaron Dalan (6-7, 320) and sophomore strongside guard Chad Ward (6-5, 310). Senior Brad Hutt (6-3, 285) has taken on the role as the starting center this spring while sophomore Elliot Silvers (6-6, 300) has moved into Coats' old spot at tackle. Senior center/guard Ben Kadletz (6-2, 310) will miss spring practice while recovering from knee surgery.
Of the reserves penciled in on the offensive line, only sophomore guard Matt Fraize (6-4, 295), senior center Dave Dawson (6-3, 260) and walkon Colin Beard has any significant playing experience. Sophomore Dominic Daste (6-3, 305) will bolster the line after missing last season due to a broken ankle. Daste was a backup at guard as a true freshman before being sidelined with the injury.
"We feel really good about the middle of the line and Aaron Dalan on the outside," Lambright says. "We really need to develop some depth with our younger players this spring. We have some players who have looked good in the practices and how they will have an opportunity to get the playing time they need to complete their development."
Defense
Defensive Line
Two starters return on Washington's defensive front that held seven of 12 opponents to under 100 rushing yards last season. Junior Mac Tuiaea (6-6, 290) returns at defensive tackle while junior Jabari Issa (6-6, 300) has moved to nose tackle after starting at both tackle and end last season. Last season accounted for 27 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and four sacks. Issa produced similar numbers with 24 tackles, including six for loss.
Sophomore Jeremiah Pharms (6-1, 235), who was a backup at inside linebacker last season, has moved to defensive end to replace Chris Campbell. Ryan Julian (6-6, 250), who lettered last season as a true freshman, has taken over the strongside linebacker position for the spring with senior Josh Smith out due to shoulder surgery. Senior Todd Johnson (6-2, 210) has moved up from his backup role to replace Jensen as the starter at whip linebacker.
The Huskies are lacking experience in the backup positions along the line. The addition of junior college transfer Toalei Mulitauaopele (6-5, 320) this spring should help that situation. In the fall several other junior college players are expected to enroll at Washington and could solidify the depth on the defensive line.
"We feel good about the players we have back and moving into the starting positions," Lambright says. "We might be a little quicker overall on defense and that could show on the line. We need some people who can get some pressure on the quarterback and you have to like a player like Jeremiah Pharms in that type of a role. He can become a big-play player for us."
Linebackers
The playmakers in the Husky defensive scheme are the inside linebacker and both starters return from last season. Junior Lester Towns (6-3, 240) will be a candidate for all-star honors after leading the Huskies in tackles last season with 89. Towns is also the leader among returning players with 16 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Junior Marques Hairston (6-2, 235) proved to be a consistent performer for Washington last season at the other inside linebacker spot after moving from free safety the previous season. Hairston finished the year with 51 tackles despite missing a pair of games with a knee injury.
Junior Jeff Johnson (6-2, 225) and sophomore Chris Waddell (6-1, 215) enter spring practice as the backups to Towns and Hairston.
"Lester and Marques really compliment each other well and, having played together for a season, I think they will be one of the best linebacker combinations in the country," Lambright says.
Defensive Backs
Washington's defensive backfield has the most experience of any position on the field. Three two-year starters return, but a new name will have to emerge in the all-important free safety position.
Juniors Mel Miller and Jermaine Smith have been the mainstays at cornerback the past two seasons. Both players had one reception last season -- Smith's a 91-yard runback for a touchdown at Arizona. Smith led the team with nine pass breakups while Miller accounted for 42 tackles. Sophomore Toure Butler returns as the top backup at cornerback and redshirt freshman Wondame Davis and Lenny Haynes will be tried at the other position this spring.
Senior Nigel Burton returns for his third year as a starter at roverback since transferring from Pacific. Burton finished fifth on the team last season with 45 tackles and is a top candidate for postseason Academic All-American honors. Senior Alvin Burleson, a regular on Washington's special teams, figures as Burton's backup this spring.
Senior Brendan Jones, the backup at free safety last season, heads into spring drills as the likely successor to Tony Parrish. Jones has 18 game appearances over the past two seasons and has totaled six tackles. Redshirt freshmen Omare Lowe and Anthony Vontoure will also contend for the job.
"We will probably not put as much pressure on the free safety as we have in the past in terms of making plays at the line of scrimmage," Lambright says. "With the experience we have at cornerback and roverback, we hope to come up with more big plays from those positions"
Specialists
Washington returns both kickers from last season. Sophomore Nick Lentz walked on to the Husky program last season as a freshman and won out the place kicking duties. Lentz converted seven of 10 field goals attempts (including a long of 46 yards) and hit 30 of 34 PATs. Senior punter Sean O'Laughlin is also back after returning some consistency to Washington's punting game. Last year O'Laughlin averaged 39.2 yards per kick and had 14 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line. Long snapper Bryan Pittman also returns on special teams.
"Nick Lentz was just a real nice addition to the team last year," Lambright says. "For being a true freshman, he handled the kicking duties really well. We know how important it is to have a solid kicking game and having some veterans back in those areas will be a plus for a team where so many young players are being asked to step up."
The Schedule
A young Washington team will face one of its toughest tests at the start of the 1998 season when the Huskies face Arizona State in Sun Devil Stadium in both team's season opener on Sept. 5. The Huskies open their home slate two weeks later against BYU before traveling to defending national champion Nebraska on Sept. 26. Washington will play four consecutive home games in October (Arizona, Utah State, California and Oregon State) before ending the season with three of four games on the road including the Apple Cup matchup with defending Pac-10 Champion Washington State Nov. 21 in Pullman. A Nov. 14 date in Husky Stadium with UCLA could feature a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in the nation in Huard and UCLA's Cade McNown.
