The Husky Haul
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Washington football: A shoutout to a standout true freshman

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 31: Trent McDuffie #22 of the Washington Huskies breaks up a pass against Johnny Edwards IV #88 of the Eastern Washington Eagles in the third quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 31: Trent McDuffie #22 of the Washington Huskies breaks up a pass against Johnny Edwards IV #88 of the Eastern Washington Eagles in the third quarter during their game at Husky Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Washington football has gotten some incredible production from their freshmen this season, but today we’re highlighting one in particular that shouldn’t be going under the radar

Washington football’s defense is going through some growing pains early in the season, after replacing nine starters from the 2018 season. Coming into 2019, the Huskies are coming off the heels of their best two recruiting classes ever, (with the 2020 class waiting to top them both) and talent is winning out on the football field.

Trent McDuffie has dominated during his time on the field with the Huskies, and has beaten out some very good competition to get on the field. When I originally wrote my true freshman All-American piece, I excluded McDuffie for one reason (and I’ll gladly eat crow for that), getting on the field was the biggest question mark because of all the talent in front of him. With players like Dominique Hampton, Myles Bryant, and Kyler Gordon in front of him, it was a long road to crack the two deep on the depth chart. Bryant’s move to safety definitely helped him do that, but spots aren’t just given out in the Husky secondary, they’re earned.

McDuffie’s talent has never been in question, the cornerback was a top 100 recruit coming out of St. John Bosco (Calif.) and held 22 offers from pretty much every national power. He’s played in every game so far this season, and even started against Hawaii. McDuffie finished with a team high nine tackles against USC, and has already forced a fumble on an unreal play against BYU. He has 17 tackles on the season, and is improving in coverage every week.

He’s also proven to be an asset on special teams, and the Huskies have been able to take advantage of that after struggling in punt/kick coverage a year ago. Expect a lot more from McDuffie this season, and to be the next in a long line of high round NFL draft picks out of the real DBU.

These numbers from Pro Football Focus are elite for a true freshman, and since you only get better with age in college football, McDuffie’s ceiling looks to be sky high.

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