The Husky Haul
Fansided

Washington Football recruiting handing out scholarships to OKGs

By Bret Stuter

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: A wide look of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Washington Huskies during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: A wide look of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Washington Huskies during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on as assistants behind him hold cloth partitions shielding play signals against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Sun Devils 44-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on as assistants behind him hold cloth partitions shielding play signals against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 19, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Sun Devils 44-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

OKG

We’ve touched base on the concept before, but out of respect for Coach Petersen, we didn’t want to jump headfirst into the phrase he has made so famous among Washington football fans.   The concept revolves around some basic principals which few coaching staffs prioritize in a prospective recruit:  passion, academics, athleticism.  And these traits are sought in that order.

Why so discerning? The sales pitch of being one of the few to make the grade is awfully difficult to say no to.  Other programs simply hand out scholarship offers to whomever makes the top rankings nationally.

Best teammates

The Washington Huskies rely more on their own research to vet athletes. Those players who are offered scholarships have the greatest gift of all, elite desire.  And it’s that tremendous hunger for football which gives each player the willingness to fill their role on the team to the best of their abilities.

Not every player can score the winning touchdown, pick off the pass for a drive-stopping interception, nor make the game saving tackle just outside of the end zone.  For every highlight reel play, there were numerous players who had to absorb blockers, move defenders out of the way, or simply run decoy routes to get the receiver open. These are the players Coach Petersen seeks. These are the players the NFL seeks a well.

Down lineman Elijah Qualls played in a two-point stance in the NCAA playoff game against Alabama.  Despite his unfamiliarity with the role, he trusted his coaches. That is the type of player Coach Petersen wants on this team.

Home/Football Recruiting