1998 Football Season Preview
SEATTLE, Wash.-
The term "rebuilding" has not been used much around the Husky football program during the decade of the '90s. This year it could be an understatement.
Gone from last season's 8-4 team that defeated Michigan State 51-23 in the Jeep Aloha Bowl are 28 lettermen (15 offense, 11 defense and 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. Ten players were drafted by NFL squads and two others signed free agent contracts. 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 absent. 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) by 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," says sixth-year head coach Jim Lambright.
The Pac-10 sanctions handed down against the Washington program five years ago have left the Huskies with senior and junior classes short on players. In fact, this year's team captains - a position usually reserved exclusively for seniors - include two juniors.
Washington will rely on the experience of its offensive line, one of the nation's top quarterbacks, two veteran inside linebackers and veterans in the interior defense and defensive backfield to provide the foundation for this year's Husky squad. How quickly new players can fill the vacated roles of last year's stellar senior class, and avoiding injuries that wrecked havoc on the UW lineup last year, will determine how successful this year's team can be.
The Offense
Quarterbacks Ht. Wt. Yr. Att. Com. Int. Yds. TD Brock Huard 6-5 225 Jr. 461 254 15 3,818 36 J.K. Scott 6-3 210 RFr.-- -- -- -- -- Marques Tuiasosopo 6-2 215 So. 64 37 1 650 3
Note: Career statistics listed.
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. They 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 has put 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."
Tailbacks
Ht. Wt. Yr. TC Yds. Avg. TD Jason Harris 6-0 210 Sr. 95 375 4.0 2 Jabari Johnson 6-0 200 RFr.-- -- -- -- Maurice Shaw 6-0 215 Jr. 144 656 4.3 6
Note: Career statistics listed.
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 fall 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 required surgery last spring could hamper Shaw's efforts to take over the top tailback spot. He only participated in one week of spring drills and was limited during off-season conditioning.
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.
Like Shaw, Harris saw his spring practice period cut short due to injuries. Sore ribs forced him out the final two weeks when he had the opportunity to establish himself as the possible starter.
Redshirt freshman Jabari Johnson will be given consideration for minutes this fall after working with the No. 1 offense most of the spring. Johnson rushed for 93 yards on 15 carries during the Spring Game.
Lambright has indicated he will not hesitate to use a freshman next fall at the position if necessary. The top two newcomers will be Willie Hurst and Jelani Harrison.
Fullbacks Ht. Wt. Yr. TC Yds. Avg. TD Pat Conniff 6-1 235 So. 12 28 2.3 0 Brian Fuller 6-2 215 Jr. -- -- -- -- Devon Johnson 6-3 220 So. -- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
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."
Split Ends
Ht. Wt. Yr. Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Dajuan Hawkins 6-5 200 So. -- -- -- -- Ja'Warren Hooker 5-11165 So. 6 136 22.7 3 Marvin Kasim, Jr. 5-9 185 Sr. -- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Flankers
Ht. Wt. Yr. Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Mijo Austin 6-1 185 So. 0 0 0.0 0 Gerald Harris 6-1 190 So. 6 107 17.8 2 Dane Looker 6-1 190 Jr. -- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Replacing Pathon and Coleman, who accounted for 111 receptions, 1,968 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 and finished third at the NCAA outdoor meet in the 100 meters.
"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 include 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 missed 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 Dane Looker emerged from spring drills as a possible starter at flanker. Last season Looker did not play after transferring from Western Washington, where he played two seasons of basketball. A former high school teammate of Huard, Looker has displayed a tremendous work ethic and could be hard to keep off the field.
H-Backs
Ht. Wt. Yr. Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Andy Carroll 5-11190 Sr. 0 0 0.0 0 Joe Jarzynka 5-7 175 Jr. 2 9 4.5 0 Patrick Reddick 5-9 180 So. 4 46 11.5 0 Note: Career statistics listed.
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 have put in the extra time after practice and this summer with our quarterbacks to become a good group of receivers."
Tight Ends
Ht. Wt. Yr. Rec. Yds. Avg. TD Kevin Cooper 6-6 260 So. 0 0 0.0 0 Reggie Davis 6-3 230 Sr. 2 32 16.0 1 Anthony Mizin 6-4 255 Jr. 0 0 0.0 0 Note: Career statistics listed.
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 -- were both be selected in this year's NFL draft.
Senior captain 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.
Junior Anthony Mizin, who has earned one letter, looked impressive during the spring and will enter the season as Davis' backup. The tight end corps is one of the deepest positions on the team. In addition to Mizin, John Westra and Kevin Cooper have game experience. Senior Chris Lang, a former defensive end, has also moved to the position.
"Reggie Davis 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 our younger players along."
Offensive Tackles
Ht. Wt. Yr. Games Starts Nick Bautista 6-3 285 Jr. -- -- Joe Collier 6-7 270 RFr.-- -- Aaron Dalan 6-7 325 Sr. 33 12 Adam Marcinowski 6-4 260 Jr. 0 0 Rock Nelson 6-5 290 RFr.-- -- Elliot Silvers 6-6 300 So. 4 0 Note: Career statistics listed.
Offensive Guards Ht. Wt. Yr. Games Starts Tony Coats 6-7 310 Sr. 31 21 Dominic Daste 6-3 320 So. 8 0 Matt Fraize 6-4 300 So. 11 0 Ben Kadletz 6-2 310 Sr. 15 6 Zach McCall 6-5 330 So. 0 0 Chad Ward 6-5 315 So. 11 8 Note: Career statistics listed.
Centers
Ht. Wt. Yr. Games Starts Kyle Benn 6-3 300 RFr.-- -- Brad Hutt 6-3 285 Sr. 11 1 Ben Kadletz 6-2 310 Sr. 15 6 Note: Career statistics listed.
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).
Preseason All-American candidate Tony Coats (6-7, 300) switched from weakside tackle to weakside guard in the 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) took on the role as the starting center during the spring while sophomore Elliot Silvers (6-6, 300) has moved into Coats' old spot at tackle. Senior center/guard Ben Kadletz (6-2, 310), who missed last year's Aloha Bowl and spring practice while recovering from knee surgery, will be back this fall to play either center or guard.
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 good about the middle of the line and Aaron Dalan on the outside," Lambright says. "We need to develop some depth with our younger players in the spring. We have some players who have looked good in the practices and now they will have an opportunity to get the playing time they need to complete their development."
The Defense
Defensive Ends Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks
Nick Feigner 6-4 255 RFr.-- -- -- -- Ryan Julian 6-6 275 So. 5-0 3 1-1 0-0 Josh Smith 6-4 255 Sr. 28-0 28 4.5-15.5 1-9 Note: Career statistics listed.
Defensive Tackles Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks Bryan Lawrence 6-0 260 Jr. -- -- -- -- Toalei Mulitauaopele 6-5 320 Jr. -- -- -- -- Mac Tuiaea 6-6 290 Jr. 22-19 49 10.5-61 7.5-54 Note: Career statistics listed.
Nose Tackles Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks Jabari Issa 6-6 295 Jr. 21-8 27 6-27 1-5 Brent Knopp 5-11265 Jr. -- -- -- -- Larry Tripplett 6-2 285 RFr.-- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Strong Linebackers Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks
Vince Anderson 6-2 220 RFr.-- -- -- -- Andy Nevens 6-1 230 Sr. 4-0 0 0-0 0-0 Jeremiah Pharms 6-1 235 So. 14-0 37 7-25 0-0 Note: Career statistics listed.
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 Tuiaea 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 strongside linebacker to replace Jason Chorak. Josh Smith, a backup the past two seasons, will move up to a starter at defensive end. Ryan Julian (6-6, 250), who lettered last season as a true freshman, played the position all spring while Smith recovered from shoulder surgery. Senior Todd Johnson (6-2, 210) has moved up from his backup role to replace Jerry 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) could help that situation. He'll be joined by junior college transfers Odell George (6-2, 225) and Roger Faagata (6-4, 245) as players looking to fill backup roles. Redshirt freshman Larry Triplett (6-2, 285) figures as Issa's backup at nose tackle after an impressive spring practice session.
"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."
Inside Linebackers Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks Marques Hairston 6-2 235 Jr. 21-9 61 5-19 1-8 Marvin Harris 6-2 230 RFr.-- -- -- -- Jeff Johnson 6-2 225 Jr. 22-0 26 3-13 2-12 Brian Martin 6-0 215 Jr. -- -- -- -- Lester Towns 6-3 240 Jr. 22-13 127 20.5-79.5 6.5-44.5 Ken Walker 6-1 230 RFr.-- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Whip Linebackers Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks Sam Blanche 6-1 220 RFr.-- -- -- -- Derrell Daniels 6-1 215 So. 10-0 8 1-1 0-0 Todd Johnson 6-2 225 Sr. 22-0 26 3-13 2-12 Note: Career statistics listed.
The playmakers in the Husky defensive scheme are the inside linebackers 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.
Towns had foot surgery last spring that could spell a slow start for him in 1998.
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) gained valuable experience during the spring while Towns was out of the lineup. He figures to give the Huskies a needed option for rotating in a third linebacker.
Another player to emerge during spring drills was redshirt freshman walkon Ken Walker. The 6-1, 230-pound Hawaii native moved up to take the backup role behind Hairston heading into the season.
"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.
Cornerbacks
Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL INT Toure Butler 5-9 160 So. 11-0 16 0-0 0-0 Wondame Davis 5-11170 RFr.-- -- -- -- Lenny Haynes 5-9 190 RFr.-- -- -- -- Mel Miller 5-11190 Jr. 22-22 68 1-6 1-6 Jermaine Smith 5-11195 Jr. 21-20 63 1.5- 10-0 Joseph Stone 5-8 175 Jr. -- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
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 interception 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. Miller sat out spring drills, allowing sophomore Toure Butler to enter the fall as a starter opposite of Smith.
Redshirt freshmen Wondame Davis and Lenny Haynes should see their first playing time at the position this year.
Roverbacks Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL Sacks Alvin Burleson 6-1 195 Sr. 9-0 4 0-0 0-0 Nigel Burton 5-9 180 Sr. 22-21 100 8.5-37 3-18.5 Hakim Weatherspoon 6-0 185 Sr. -- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
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.
Free Safeties
Ht. Wt. Yr. G-S TK TFL INT Renard Edwards 6-2 195 Jr. -- -- -- -- Brendan Jones 5-11190 Sr. 18-0 11 0-0 0-0 Omare Lowe 6-0 190 RFr.-- -- -- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Senior Brendan Jones, the backup at free safety last season, heads into the season as the likely successor to Tony Parrish. Jones has 18 game appearances over the past two seasons and has totaled six tackles. Redshirt freshman Omare Lowe and junior college transfer Renard Edwards 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."
Punters
Ht. Wt. Yr. G No. Avg. LG Ryan Fleming 6-3 180 Jr. 11 55 39.2 59 Sean O'Laughlin 6-0 200 Sr. Note: Career statistics listed.
Place Kickers Ht. Wt. Yr. PAT FG Nick Lentz 5-11 175 So. 30-34 7-10 Jim Skurski 5-11 190 RFr.-- -- Note: Career statistics listed.
Washington returns both kickers from last season. Sophomore Nick Lentz walked on to the Husky program last season as a freshman and won the place kicking duties. Lentz converted seven of 10 field goal attempts (including a long of 46 yards) and hit 30 of 34 PATs. Redshirt freshman Jim Skurski will compete with Lentz for the kicking position.
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. Transfer Ryan Fleming is expected to push O'Laughlin for the punting duties.
"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 Sept. 5. The Huskies open their home slate two weeks later against BYU before traveling to defending national champion Nebraska 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.
