Sophomore Outside Linebacker Learns From All-American
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Hau’oli Kikaha approached Psalm Wooching a few weeks ago after practice to share a few pointers.
The outside linebacker wanted to share some advice with his younger teammate. After the short session on technique, Wooching decided there was more to learn.
The sophomore approached the unanimous All-American to ask if they could meet regularly after practice.
“Can we do this?” Wooching asked.
Kikaha has been a mentor to the younger players on Washington’s defense all season, so he quickly agreed.
Those post-practice sessions that started in Seattle continue in Arizona, as the Huskies prepare for Friday’s TicketCity Cactus Bowl against Oklahoma State.
“He has so much good knowledge about the game, the position, all these ways to read the game differently,” Wooching said. “It’s great, too, to be from the same state (Hawaii) and connect that way.”
Wooching started his college career as a fullback. Now that he has moved over to defense, he has spent the season working on adjusting to a new position. Kikaha has eased the transition.
“He’s really starting to make some moves,” Washington defensive line coach Jeff Choate said. “It was a tough transition going from a fullback to a defensive end and understanding all that’s going on.”
After playing in eight games this season, he is now investing extra time in practice so he can contribute both in the bowl game and in the future.
“There’s a ton of potential,” Choate said. “He’s a vicious striker. He’s a very violent, explosive kid and loves the game. For him, sometimes it’s reeling him in and getting him to play within himself.”
Kikaha has a school-record 18 sacks this season, but his contributions as a mentor have been as important as his ability to bring down the quarterback.
“He really is an expert pass rusher,” Choate said. “You never really become an expert in anything until you teach it. For him to be able to go out and teach and explain what he’s trying to do and what he sees in certain situations, I think that helps him and obviously is going to help our team get better down the road as Psalm starts to develop.”
Kikaha and Wooching share similar body types, so it was a natural fit for the younger player to seek out advice from his older teammate.
The two were back on the field on a sunny Monday afternoon, working on footwork and positioning as the rest of the Huskies headed for a weight lifting session.
With only a few precious practices left before the season ends, Wooching wants to absorb as much of Kikaha’s wisdom as possible.
“Hau’oli said he can see a lot of improvement,” Wooching said. “I try to stay humble, but there’s a lot of improvement, I feel like, from the beginning of the year to now. Those little things help a lot. Hau’oli Kikaha is the best in the nation, so as much as I can learn from him, I’ll take it.”
