Washington football players honored with post week one awards

Washington football has five players on Pro Football Focus’ Pac-12 team of the week list, including one who took home Pac-12 honors

Washington football’s very own Benning Potoa’e started his season off on a strong note, winning Pac-12 defensive lineman of the week for his performance against Eastern Washington.

Potoa’e recorded four total tackles, with three being for a loss, and two of them being sacks. For a guy coming off the heels of a position change from outside linebacker to defensive tackle, it seems to suit him very well in the early stages of the season. Potoa’e is able to use his quickness a lot better inside against guards, who are typically not as nimble as offensive tackles. With Levi Onwuzurike at the other defensive tackle spot, and a rotation of huge, quick, talented players, the inside pass rush looks like it’ll be a lot better than the 2018 season.

PFF Team of the Week

Potoa’e was the only member of the Husky defense who made team of the week, but the offense took home numerous honors.

Obviously Jacob Eason deserves this spot after shining in his debut. He went 27/36 with 349 yards passing and four touchdowns, so not only did he deserve a spot on this list but so did his two favorite targets, the one-hand king Aaron Fuller, who had five grabs for 73 yards and two touchdowns, and Hunter Bryant, who was fully healthy for the first time in a long time. Bryant caught six passes for 81 yards, and looked to be Eason’s go to guy when he was in a pinch (which was rarely, but still a very good sign). And of course, you have to highlight at least one member of Eason’s protection, and redshirt sophomore Jaxson Kirkland, who was a Freshman All-American last season earned those honors for Week One.

Expect a lot more honors like these for the Huskies this season, if the offense can keep pace and the defense can play the same way it has over the last four seasons. Congrats to these awesome Dawgs!