All-Pro S Budda Baker applauds Washington Football Coach Petersen

NCAA football is about forging natural talents into NFL caliber football play. Former Washington Football safety All-Pro Budda Baker knows firsthand. And he’s applauding Coach Petersen

The Washington Football team has had it ups and downs over the years. But undoubtedly the team is on an upward trend.  Since head coach Petersen arrived in December 2013, the Washington Huskies have recorded 8-6 (2014), 7-6 (2015), 12-2 (2016), and 10-3 (2017) seasons.

Prior to this, he had built a stellar reputation at Boise State during a 13 year career which included eight seasons as the team’s head coach.  His team amassed five conference titles and a 92-12 record.  However you look at it, that’s impressive.  In fact, that was impressive enough to land a head coaching job in the Pac-12.

Recollection connection

Still, it’s all for naught if Coach Petersen cannot connect to his players.  Young men arrive to the Washington Football team bursting with desire, but unfamiliar with the path to greatness. But getting to the NFL is not guaranteed. And beyond that, succeeding at the NFL level is reserved for those who want it enough, and are willing to put in the work.  Those young men place their trust in their head coach. And Coach Petersen takes it to heart. He is not a snake oil salesman. To the contrary, he is a straight shooter. Some prospects cannot stomach a coach telling them its hard work. But it is. Some others cannot handle the challenge of competing for playing time. But they must.

OKG

That’s why the Washington Football team is selective about which players they recruit.  They want talented players like every football program. But there is a huge difference between a team playing in the sunny comfort of 80 degrees year round, versus a team that slugs it out in rain, snow, and wind. To beat THOSE elements, players must master themselves. And Washington wants players who can do that very thing.

Autzen Zoo

Distractions are not very significant to incoming freshmen. But they matter, and matter in big ways. From the moment a new freshman arrives to campus, they will fell the challenge of competing priorities: education, social life, athletics, family time, and finally – me time. Too few weigh out the challenges of starting their college career and what that means in terms of new lifestyle.

UW freshmen quickly learn to avoid distractions

From the moment a freshman arrives to the Washington Football team practice, they are on the clock. Focus, discipline, training, effort, maturity, intelligence, humility, humor. All factors on display are noted. Not for the sense of ranking a player, but in assessing who can handle what. Which incoming freshman can work with the starters, and which ones need more development?

Some players arrive with a plug-n-play personna. They can suit up, go out, and deliver. Some players need refinement in the weight room, or with technique, or simply familiarity with new teammates, coaches, and playbook. Don’t get me wrong, every player on the roster lives with the knowledge that they must be ready to play in each game.  Everyone witnessed that “next man up” in action throughout the 2017 season.  The coaches for the Washington Huskies prepare each player to start each week.

Baker play-maker

That’s the difference maker.  That is what turns a young talented prospect into an All Pro NFL player in his rookie season. Just ask former Husky safety Budda Baker. He does not measure up to the prototypical size for an NFL thumper at safety. But he lays a wallop on the ball-carrier nontheless.  And it’s that very reason which compelled me to write why he would be so popular as an Arizona Cardinal.

Baker delivered in a big way in the NFL. But how?

Baker delivered what UW ignited in him

In his February 8th tweet, Budda Baker has validated the Washington Football coaching staff process by dominating in the NFL in just his rookie season. And now, he repays the favor by testifying about the quality of his former coaches. That fire, those skillsets, were part of his experience at UW.  And his words validate what Coach Petersen says all along.

Testimony which recruits would be wise to pay attention to.

Preparation is a lifelong endeavor

As you know, there are many reasons to select a college football program as a football prospect. Good fit with coaching staff, great success track record at the position, and even the eventual success of players in the NFL. But somehow, those factors which should truly matter get blended with other not-so-significant reasons like “everyone else is going there” or “it’s warm and sunny there all year round”.   Sure, if you believe you are a marginal player, enjoy life in the sunshine while you can.

But from the moment prospects depart their college program, they leave dorm life, beach parties, and sheltered lives.  From that moment on, life gets tougher. And they take just three things with them from that collegiate experience: their God-given talents, self-confidence and awareness, and all the coaching they received in college.   That’s it. Sure, there are scouting reports, national rankings, and those are certainly biased to certain schools and certain programs. But that doesn’t help one iota in the NFL.  You take three things with you. And if a recruit does not weigh those components seriously, they do not find NFL success.

Work ethic edge

Eventually, it comes down to two paths. Would you rather be overrated and disappoint, or underrated and impress?  Work ethic eventually makes up the difference from the raw talent perspective.  To highlight that point, defensive tackle Greg Gaines is a living example of a young man with football aspirations who did not turn heads before his Washington Football days.  But his work ethic never paused, and now he is one of the top nationally ranked defensive linemen.  In fact, he was a member of the recruiting class of 2014, one which was ranked seventh in the Pac-12.  Now, those recruits have taken the Huskies to the top of the Pac-12 last season, and just short of the Pac-12 championship this season.

Next: Meet the next great Washington receiver

Ultimately, it comes down to how badly do you want it? On one hand, Greg Gaines certainly does. On the other hand, Budda Baker certainly did. And so, as recruits turn into college freshmen, the new crop of the 2018 recruiting class will learn for themselves as well. No matter what the promises heard, the only thing any football player can be certain of is opportunity.

Opportunity knocking

And in the end, the 2018 class for Coach Petersen has exactly that: opportunity. From this moment on, you know Coach Petersen will offer tough challenges. But tough for a reason. In his heart, he wants his players to succeed. See for yourself how Budda Baker, a rookie safety, just earner All-Pro. And so too have cornerback Sidney Jones IV and defensive tackle Elijah Qualls just earned their Super Bowl rings, as rookies for the Philadelphia Eagles. Life comes at you fast. Washington Huskies know this, and are prepared for anything life throws their way.