Washington Huskies Football Five Steps Repeat PAC 12 Champs

STEP ONE: Washington Huskies must restock the defensive backfield

The Washington Huskies defensive backfield was incredibly productive in 2016. In fact, the team was so productive that the team lost three defensive backs to the NFL via the 2017 NFL Draft. Adding wide receiver John Ross to the mix, four Washington Huskies were picked in the first two rounds. That’s quite an accomplishment.

But if you think the Washington Huskies defensive backfield will be vulnerable in 2017, think again. That corps is coached by none other than Jimmy Lake.  And while this is a group of players who will seem rather inexperienced to outsiders, to Coach Lake, they are simply players whose time to shine has come.

Proud Lake

The coach did not hesitate to express confidence in his group of young defensive backs when interviewed by ESPN’s Chantel Jennings:

"“At corner, we have guys — and this is what you want when you’re building a program — you have guys waiting in the wings ready to take over,” Lake said. “We’ll definitely be on the younger side on the outside, but we have guys who have played college football before and now it’s their time to shine.”"

The team will be anchored at safety by returning starter JoJo McIntosh.  Taylor Rapp is like the successor for Budda Baker’s vacated spot.  But both players will face stiff competition from Ezekiel Turner and Trevor Walker.  They will even be taken to task by incoming freshman 4-star safety Brandon McKinney.