The 2018 Washington recruiting class grew in number once more as running back Richard Newton commits to the Washington Football team
The Washington Football team won ten games in the 2017 football season. While that did not earn them either an NCAA playoff bid nor vying for the Pac-12 championship, it was a good follow up to last years success. As the team awaits and prepares for their bowl bid, the coaching staff has other matters at hand. In short, the future of the team.
We’ve talked at length about the need for the Huskies to recruit players. Just last week, the team ended a three month drought by recruiting weakside defensive end Mosiah Liu. Liu was the first commitment since August 7, 2017, when the team welcomed cornerback Dominique Hampton to the 2018 recruiting class.
The good news continued yesterday, when the tell tale tweet from Coach Petersen alerted fans to the event:
WOOF!
— Chris Petersen (@CoachPeteUW) November 28, 2017
The class of 2018 is now up to 14 recruits. Of the class, nine players are offensive, four are defensive, and one, Trey Lowe, is an athletic recruit who could be either an offensive or defensive player for the Huskies. But there is only one back, and Washington believes he is pretty special.
Wrap it up then. Committed 💯 pic.twitter.com/rVYPLrwzkl
— 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔭𝔢𝔯 (@iRiichh) November 28, 2017
He may very be special indeed.
First running back
For all the offensive fire power, Newton is the first running back to commit to Washington for 2018. He arrives at a crucial time. With the season over, the team will most certainly lost running back Lavon Coleman. But running back Myles Gaskin, who had another incredible season, will likely be pulled towards the NFL in the 2018 NFL Draft as well. Two running backs who combined for over 1600 yards on the ground and 23 touchdowns. Who will pick up the slack?
Richard Newton may be tasked with that Herculean task. If comparisons are legitimate for a young man who has yet to play a single down of NCAA football, Newton reminds observers of Myles Gaskin. Long strides, able to run up the middle or kick it out to the outside. And he is almost as dangerous as a receiver as a rusher.
Compliments Salvon Ahmed
Richard Newton fills many of the needs of the Huskies football team. While current freshman running back Salvon Ahmed is blinding fast, Newton has that “power” component which punishes would-be tacklers.
And so, the Huskies have a new recruit who fills a solid need. On one hand, he has a good size and speed for a running back, and is still growing. On the other hand, he would be the tallest running back on the team. That gives plenty of options for a team which loves to create mismatches in the defense. And he can smell the endzone, as well.
That type of production is significant when it runs behind the Huskies offensive line.
Next: Recruiting Mosiah Liu garners needed WDE to Washington Football team
Whether or not Myles Gaskin remains, the Huskies will need running back depth. Newton not only deepens the pool of talent, but he raises the tide of production in one fell swoop.