Getting the band back together
The Huskies were not immune to coaching changes. The team lost former offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith to the head coaching position at his alma mater, Oregon State University. But the team may have upgraded almost instantaneously, as they signed former wide receiver coach Bush Hamden as the new offensive coordinator.
The return of Hamden, who coached up John Ross, Dante Pettis, and Chico McClatcher, is good news indeed. The passing game and quaterback Jake Browning regressed in 2017. But now, under Hamden’s watch, there is plenty of optimism for a huge progress. With the talent onboarding with the class of 2018, that euphoria is widespread.
Optimism springs from who didn’t defect
There are quite a few talented players aiming at an NFL career right now. While that list includes some huge heavy hitters from the roster, it does not include several names whose departure could be devastating. OT Trey Adams, OT Kaleb McGary, DT Gregory Gaines, TE Drew Sample, RB Myles Gaskin, QB Jake Browning, and more. Some of whom were projected as potential day one names, that adds quite a bit of value to this team for their senior season.
With two bookend offensives tackles anhoring the offensive line who return four of five starters, there is plenty of excitement looking at Browning, Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, Chico McClatcher, and Hunter Bryant all returning healthy to the same offense. With those returners, the Washington offensive attack will be very robust. But if a few of those talented players from the class of 2018 match expectations, this team will go places in a hurry.