The Washington Football team will be lashing their aerial assault to new faces with the injury to Chico McClatcher. And so, the tight ends play an important role in the passing game now
The Washington Football team has been winning. But the team has not done so without paying a price. The latest payment was the loss of wide receiver Chico McClatcher for the season. That is a tough loss, particularly so with just four games into the season.
What happens next is crucial. The Huskies must find replacement receivers, while not placing new faces into situations that exceed their abilities and preparation. In other words, they can’t throw them into the fire. So who can step up and share part of the load? Why, none other than the unheralded tight end group of this team.
That group includes Drew Sample, Will Dissly, and Hunter Bryant. As a group, they account for 25 percent of the team’s passing game. But that number could go up.
And it likely will.
Tight ends can catch passes
While 6-foot-5 259 pound Drew Sample remains sidelined with injury, both Will Dissly and Hunter Bryant have picked up the workload. And from the early results, they can pick up more as well. 6-foot-4 267 pound Will Dissly made the early impact, as he showed up huge in the game against the Montana Grizzlies. In that game, he accounted for 5 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
But 6-foot-23 238 pound freshman Hunter Bryant has been the more consistent receiver. He has caught a pass in each game so far, which places him with 7 receptions and 125 yards already this season. As a freshman with significant numbers, you can bet he will be part of the mix in the weeks ahead.
Bryant should not be a surprise. He is a highly coveted recruit whose reputation as a pass receiver led to his lofty national rankings. He is delivering on that reputation now, and will continue to do so as he becomes more familiar with routes and quarterback Jake Browning.
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Washington has plenty of football to play this season, and the loss of wide receiver Chico McClatcher is certainly significant. But the Huskies are not about to get down. They are on a mission to repeat as Pac-12 champions. To do that, they need players to stand up and deliver. Right now, there are a couple of tight ends on the team ready and willing to do just that.