Some football programs win in recruiting, while others win on the field. Can the Washington Football Team convert team success into recruiting success?
The University of Washington Football team has emerged as one of the best teams in the NCAA today. But there is still a fear when the Washington Football recruiting efforts intersect with those of the USC Trojans, Washington will come up short.
That was then, this is now.
Now, the Washington Football team is the defending PAC-12 champion. In fact, the Washington Football team is earning the respect of the National Football League. And they are doing it with superior coaching.
Compare Outcomes
The 2014 recruiting class found the USC Trojans ranked tenth in the nation. USC had attracted such top nationally ranked stars as five-star recruits cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, and four-star cornerback Jonathan Lockett. In stark contrast, the Washington Huskies were ranked 37th in the nation. Led by four-star safety Budda Baker and three-star cornerback Sidney Jones, and joined by 2013 four-star wide receiver John Ross.
The NFL Draft results for the Trojans were Adoree’ Jackson selected 18th, Juju Smith-Schuster selected 62nd, and Lockett played primarily as a backup until his season ended with hip surgery. He will now compete for a starting role as a senior.
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The NFL Draft results for the Huskies were John Ross selected 9th, Budda Baker selected 36th, and Sidney Jones, despite a ruptured Achilles Tendon, selected 43rd. And there’s the rub.
Go Further Young Man
In summary, there can be no doubt. The 37th ranked Washington Football recruiting class of 2014 produced some major NFL talent. At some point, young prospects will start to take notice and factor in the outcomes.
Some football programs judge athletes by their physical dimensions, track and weight room performances. Stand taller, jump higher, run faster, lift heavier is all it takes to win the scholarship offers from many national college programs. But that’s not all for the Washington Huskies. Coach Petersen looks for the desire, the burning yearning in a young man’s very being, to convince him that the prospect deserves the opportunity.
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Flattery Will Get You Nowhere
Earning a top national ranking is very flattering for some recruits. In their minds, they’ve “made it”. Work is now maintenance. But to the Washington Football Team, that work is just beginning. The program is not about anointing or coasting, but earning and vying. And for good reason. Everyone on the roster is expected to be capable of stepping up at a moment’s notice and playing. That doesn’t appeal to every athlete. But for those who truly want a football career, they wouldn’t want it any other way.
Subtle Rewards
Ultimately, young athletes must answer the million dollar question: Which college football program is best for me? And there is no right or wrong answer, as it is a matter of personal priority.
But talent only gets you so far in this world. And far too often, that lesson comes to us with a harsh price – the door of opportunity did not open because we failed to apply ourselves. Ultimately, the youthful belief of endless possibilities, second chances, and delaying work to live in the moment results in regrets. As you age, you know the forks in the road where you made the wrong turn. And there are no endless possibilities. There was that one chance. When you arrived, you were not prepared.
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Huge Differences
The difference in terms of the NFL is millions of dollars. Land early, and you are set up financially for life. Fall off the radar, and you have to earn your way back to a big pay day.
But you don’t know where you will end up until you get there. Then, it’s too late. And so, football athletes must gauge their progress in other ways. Playing time, sound fundamentals, good tackling, good blocking, good running. Eyes are always upon the player, and every breather or lax effort in a game time situation makes it into a scouting report.
Work Ethic
There is no substitute for a good work ethic. Even in the absence of superior speed, strength, agility, or height, work ethic opens opportunity. And that is the name of the game for the Washington Football Team.
The team has an excellent coaching staff. In fact, it starts with the best strength and conditioning program in the PAC-12. Washington Huskies Tim Socha gets it. He knows that hard work proves to be the equalizer. So he pushes his players to their limits. And that results in solid football play.
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Technique
But strength and conditioning is just one part. The next is technique. And that is where co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake takes over. Lake developed three Washington Husky defensive backs to the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft in Sidney Jones, Kevin King, and Budda Baker. This season, the team anticipates no drop off in production.
Can that be true? Is it possible for any college defensive backfield to lose three of four starters, all of whom are selected in the second round of an NFL Draft, and anticipate no dropoff? Well if any team can, it’s the Washington Huskies.
Go Jump In The Lake
Even as your read this, the team works hard to stay one jump ahead of the draft. And as such, the team has excellent depth as a rule. In fact, that next-man-up principal was discussed by cornerback Kevin King in an April 2017 Sports Illustrated article by Lindsay Schnell.
"“Jojo McIntosh, Taylor, Jordan Miller and Byron, they’re all going to be really good,” King says. “Because they had great examples, but they also have the intangibles: They move well, know how to play the ball, and they just know what good defensive backs look like. There’s no doubt that group, they’re going to surprise some people.”"
That’s the stuff of champions, of teamwork. The confidence of starters in the next man up is more than a mission statement or a mantric chant. It’s how the Huskies roll. It’s the incredible preparation defensive backs gain from coach Jimmy Lake.
The Choice
In the end, it is a very personal and meaningful choice that each athlete must make for themselves. Choose a football career in the sunshine and front stage, even if you never make meaningful playing minutes? Or do you go north to work harder, perspire more, and perhaps earn more playing minutes? Even as you wait, you know the expectation of your teammates, your coaches, and the fans in the stands are that you are prepared to lead.
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In other words, how bad do you want that football career?
Self-Confidence and Desire
When all is said and done, it comes down to self-confidence, and desire. Those are the qualities sought by head coach Chris Petersen in the players he wants to recruit to the Washington Football Team. And per a great review of the Huskies defensive backs coming into 2017 by Ryan Priest of UWDawgpound.com, the air will be well defended by safeties Taylor Rapp, JoJo McIntosh, and cornerbacks Bryan Murphy and Jordan Miller.
These four live and breathe football. And they have many more like them awaiting their turn to shine as a Washington Husky.
And that is the secret ingredient. Everyone works hard, because the ranking is earned, not annointed. There is no such first class/coach on this team. From the moment a recruit arrives, it’s prove-it time. And for competitors, that is just how they like it.
The Climb Is Steep
On one hand, some will not want to put in the hours. On the other hand, some may not desire more than a four year scholarship to relax in the sunshine. Finally, others may not want to push themselves too hard.
And that’s okay. Greatness doesn’t care. In fact, weeding out the many keeps greatness within the reach of just the few who want it desperately enough.
Even so, the Washington Football program is not for everyone. Nor should it be. As a matter of fact, the calling to be a Washington Husky is only heard by the few, the proud, the hungry. At the very least, the 2018 Recruiting class is a very special class of football athletes. On one hand, four star commit quarterback Jacob Sirmon is already breaking down film with the coaches. On the other hand, receiver Devin Culp embraces his versatility with great hands at either tight end or wide receiver. Finally, four-star athlete Trey Lowe embraced his opportunity with the Washington Huskies.
Two Way Commitment
Those are but a few of the few who understand the commitment they must make to their future. But in return, the Washington Huskies Football team makes an even greater commitment to each athlete.
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The Washington Football program will deliver each player to their fullest potential. The only speed bump to future opportunity is the limits each athlete carries inside himself. On one hand, this is a team where each player looks out for one another, pushes one another, cheers for one another. On the other hand, this is no collection of athletes. Ultimately, this is a team which is greater than the sum of its parts.
And in a team, each member is so confident in their own abilities, that they can compliment the efforts of the others. And that is what keeps the Washington Huskies special.