Washington football: 2020 outside linebackers preview
![SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Joe Tryon #9 of the Washington Huskies looks on in the first quarter against the Utah Utes during their game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Joe Tryon #9 of the Washington Huskies looks on in the first quarter against the Utah Utes during their game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3d391d13bba91ec4f4068547f33aa2a65406e8a0a7ad04e5c926656c6a899c90.jpg)
Sav’ell Smalls
Smalls is the most exciting in-state prospect to sign with Washington since Reggie Williams. Measuring in at 6’4, 244, the outside linebacker is a perfect mold for Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense and should find a way to contribute early and often.
He displays an extensive amount of pass rush moves for a high schooler, and he’ll impress the coaching staff from the moment he arrives on campus. Expect him to be utilized in a limited capacity early on, as the coaching staff will probably want to keep him on a snap count and use him strictly on passing downs. As the season goes along and he continues to improve his conditioning and gets a feel for speed and physicality of the college game, he should start to see more and more snaps.
A strong season from Smalls would be a great thing for the Huskies on the recruiting trail as well, because if they were to land the country’s number one player J.T. Tuimoloau, he’d probably be utilized in a similar way during his first season on campus.