The Husky Haul
Fansided

Washington football’s Joe Tryon is starting a revolution

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Tryon #9 of the Washington Huskies reads the California Golden Bears offense during the game at Husky Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Tryon #9 of the Washington Huskies reads the California Golden Bears offense during the game at Husky Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Washington football’s outside linebackers are going to be the next big thing, and it starts with Tryon

Before Hau’oli Kikaha went in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints, Washington football hadn’t had a true edge rusher picked in the top two rounds since 1968. That all changes with Joe Tryon. The 6’5, 262 pound outside linebacker out of Hazen High School (Wash.) had a coming-out party during the second half of the 2019 season. He recorded six sacks over Washington’s last five games of the year and has been named a preseason All-American to start 2020.

Tryon has first-round potential in the 2021 NFL Draft and could see his draft stock skyrocket during the 2020 season. According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller, there’s only one true edge rusher in his “way too early 2021 NFL Draft big board,” which is Miami’s Gregory Rousseau. So with that said, there’s plenty of room for Tryon to vault into the first round at one of the NFL’s most valuable positions.

With a combination of elite size, speed, power, and technique, Tryon is going to make an NFL team very happy for years to come. He’ll be a perfect fit for a team’s 3-4 front, as he’s athletic enough to drop into coverage, but is at his best with his ears pinned back. Now, why is this the start of a revolution? Let’s take a look at who’s coming up behind Tryon on the depth chart.

As one of the veterans in the room now, Tryon’s able to work with Laiatu Latu and Sav’ell Smalls every day. Latu, an elite four-star prospect and Smalls, a five-star prospect, both have arguably higher ceilings than Tryon. With the tools both players possess, Tryon could be the first of potentially three straight first-round picks at the position for the Huskies.

On top of that, if the Huskies can secure the services of J.T. Tuimoloau, that could be a fourth edge rusher with first-round potential. If Jimmy Lake and staff can prove they can continue to develop Tryon as a pure pass rusher in 2020, that could go a long way in getting a commitment from Tuimoloau.

Tryon is the next generation of pass rusher, in the mold of a player like Bradley Chubb. He has the measurables, athleticism, and skill to line up as both a defensive end or an outside linebacker. That kind of versatility is highly desirable at the next level, and if he can hit his ceiling, he’ll be the first in a long line of elite Husky edge rushers.

Home/Football