The Husky Haul
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3 Breakout Stars for Washington Football in 2018

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Dante Pettis
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Dante Pettis /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Husky Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Sam Taimani

OG/DT Sam Taimani is a 4-star recruit who has two-way potential as a guard and defensive tackle. At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, he proved that he can play on both sides of the ball in high school.  When Washington failed to land defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, the team needed to fill the void on the defensive line.

Right now, assistant coaches debate whether he will play offense or defense.  He can do both, and quite well.  Since the team will lose Vea, we bet Taimani get a look on defense. According to an interview with 247 Sports, he will be playing defensive line for at least the beginning of his college career.

Big athlete = big impact

Since he’s a big body, athletic, and knows the ins and outs of offensive line, he should have a great deal of success. The interior of the defensive line is a very shallow position heading into 2018.  Right now the expectation is that Gaines will remain through his senior year, Still, if Greg Gaines decides to leave Washington a year early, the team is scrambling for defensive linemen.

Should Gaines leave, Jaylen Johnson and Levi Onwuzurike will probably start.  But the Huskies work best when they have a deep rotation along the line.  With Taimani, the Huskies also have a beefed-up Temple University transfer by the name of Josiah Bronson. At 6-foot-5 and bulked up to 290 pounds, Bronson will be a solid contributer. Both Brownson and Taimani will fit very well into that rotation.  If Taimani has a good training camp, he could even start by the end of next season.

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