The Washington Husky Football must build upon the success of the 2016 season. What awaits the team in 2017?
"“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” -Joshua J. Marine"
The Washington Husky football program had a great season. Unfortunately, the Huskies met defeat at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff Semifinals 24-7. Afterwards, it was a time for pride at how far the program has come. It was a moment to take measure of what worked, and what didn’t. Finally, the coaching staff and the team contemplated what they needed to do in order to get to the next step.
Head coach Chris Petersen recognized that moment. And in doing so, he conducted a very lucid and reflective interview with Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. During that interview, he placed his reflection into the tomes to be used as both a rallying cry and encouragement for the 2017 season:
"“I think when you step back and look at the big picture, the bar’s been moved up, been moved forward. Kids know it. Hopefully,” he added, “they’ve gained good confidence from this season, but I think there’s also some lessons to be learned in this game, you know, what we have to do to truly compete on this elite level. … It’s a balance between knowing that they can do special things if we kind of go back to our humble roots of starting over.”"
Back To The Drawing Board
And so, it is back to the drawing board, a matter of tweaking rather than complete overhaul, at the team which finished with twelve wins, 12-2, for only the second time in team history. And so, this season will not be the benefit of surprising, nor of facing a season as an underdog. Going out near the top will place the Washington Huskies near the top of the nation in 2017.
Restocking The Shelves
Before the team can truly begin to focus and move into the 2017 football season, the team will need to both acknowledge and then address the need to restock the shelves. While the Washington Huskies impressed the nation, the team is now competing with its former self. And as a result of the team’s success, safety Budda Baker, cornerback Sidney Jones, defensive lineman Elijah Qualls, and wide receiver John Ross III hope to convert NCAA success into NFL paydays. As a matter of fact, all are eligible juniors who have declared for the NFL Draft. As such, they have foregone their last year of playing as a Husky.
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The Washington Huskies must now not only replace graduating seniors, but also the four juniors who had great seasons. In fact, the University of Washington football program was ranked the top team adversely affected by the 2017 NFL Draft as a result. But there is a silver lining. Only defensive lineman Vita Vea has elected to return to the programs. And the University of Washington football program has an exciting recruiting class about to sign on for the 2017 football season.
So what will that 2017 football team look like? Let’s take a look at the offense and then the defense:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
2016 review: Jake Browning had an incredible season, throwing for 3,430 yards andtying the Pac-12 record with 43 touchdown passes. His return is a huge key to 2017 success.
2017 outlook: The team did not lose Jake Browning, K.J. Carta-Samuels, Tony Rodriguez nor redshirting freshman Daniel Bridge-Gadd. In fact, the team has a new recruit slated to come onboard in Jake Haener.
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- Huskies offense slices through the Spartans in 41-7 win
Running backs
2016 review: Myles Gaskin carried the ball for 1,373 yards, Lavon Coleman carried the ball for 852 yards (7.5 yds/carry), and Jomon Dotson hauled the pigskin for 260 yards. Not only was the group incredibly effective at moving the chains, they kept a handle on the ball. No Washington running back fumbled in 2016. The Huskies relied upon a very dependable running game for their success. But the two losses, at the hands of both USC and Alabama, happened when the team could not get the running game untracked.
2017 outlook: This is another area for hope as Myles Gaskin, Lavon Coleman, Jomon Dotson are all returning. The Huskies are incredibly deep at running back with redshirting freshmen Sean McGrew and Kamari Pleasant battling for some carries. The team also has hopes of signing 4-star recruit Salvon Ahmed.
Offense Continued
Wide receivers/tight ends
2016 review: John Ross III led the team with 81 catches for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. He declared for the NFL Draft and will difficult to replace. His teammate Dante Pettis pulled in 53 passes for 822 yards and 15 TD catches. Even Chico McClatcher pulled down 31 catches for 574 years, averaging an outstanding 18.5 yards per catch.
With the First Pick
Tight End Darrell Daniels will be NFL bound, leaving a wake of 17 catches for 307 years.
2017 outlook: Dante Pettis will likely be slotted as the team’s No. 1 receiver. Chico McClatcher should find himself assuming a WR2 role. Aaron Fuller, Andre Baccellia, Quinten Pounds, Brayden Lenius and K.J. Young will all compete for larger roles this year as well.
The Huskies also have been busy recruiting top wide receivers to join 2017, including: Terrell Bynum (Bellflower, Calif.), Alex Cook (Sacramento) and Ty Jones (Provo, Utah).
Tight-ends Drew Sample, Will Dissly, David Ajamu, Michael Neal return, and grayshirt Jacob Kizer will join the team this season.
Offensive line
2016 review: The 2016 offensive line held plenty of questions, but answered them all. Seniors Jake Eldrenkamp and Shane Brostek have graduated. But Trey Adams, Coleman Shelton, Kaleb McGary, Andrew Kirkland, and Nick Harris will all return
2017 outlook: With four of the five Peach Bowl starters returning, this offensive line is in great shape. The group has played together for some time. Eldrenkamp will likely be replaced by Jesse Sosebee. The team has also secured commitments from two 2017 recruits in 4-star recruit offensive tackle Henry Bainivalu, as well as 3-star recruit offensive tackle Cole Norgaard. The team continues to recruit until National Signing Day, and as such may have further announcements for the position.
DEFENSE
Defensive line
2016 review: Connor O’Brian Elijah Qualls, Greg Gaines and Vita Vea anchored a solid defensive line for the Washington Huskies. With Elijah Qualls electing the NFL, the team has retained three of the four starters.
2017 outlook: Vita Vea elected to stay with Washington, and that gives the program to improve the defense this year.. Although eligible for the NFL, Vea is projected as a top ten next year with a strong season.
"“When he gets it all put together, he’s (Vita Vea) going to be really, really special,” defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe said"
Redshirted sophomore Shane Bowman will likely slide in to Qualls slot at defensive tackle. The team is also quite eager for the arrival of 2017 recruits defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu and defensive end Joe Tryon.
Linebackers
2016 review: Joe Mathis was injured, and Psalm Wooching are two who will not return to this squad. The team did get reliable play from Azeem Victor, Keishawn Bierria, Ben Burr-Kirven, DJ Beavers, Connor O’Brien and Trevis Bartlett when they were asked to step up.
2017 outlook: The team will depend heavily upon the returning group to lead the defense once more. The key to the defense may be how well Victory and Bierria rule the middle. The team may look to promote promising Trevis Bartlett this season. That would make room for 2017 recruit Ariel Ngata to play a role in reserve.
More Defense
Secondary
2016 review: The Huskies allowed 24 TD passes but intercepted 34 passes. On one hand, safety Budda Baker was a key reason for the picks. On the other hand, he will join cornerback Sidney Jones in seeking a career in the NFL. Senior cornerback Kevin King is projected a mid round pick in the draft as well.
2017 outlook: Safeties Jojo McIntosh and Taylor Rapp are returning, but the Huskies will need to bring in some solid fresh faces to help in pass defense. They have done so in recruiting 4-star safety recruit Brandon McKinney. Washington has also added 4-star cornerback Elijah Molden and 3-star cornerback Keith Taylor. In conclusion, they will join the ranks of Austin Joyner, Jordan Miller and Byron Murphy, among others, in competing for starting roles.
Specialists
Punter Tristan Vizcaino returns, as does punt returner Dante Pettis. While the team could tap Pettis on kick returns, the team will have some options. The team will have a new kicker in prokick Australian Joel Whitford, who enrolled in winter-term classes this week.
Next: University of Washington Releases 2017 Husky Football Schedule
All in all, 2017 appears to be every bit the encore for the 2016 season.