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Washington football’s Onwuzurike declares for NFL Draft

By Roman Tomashoff

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 31: Levi Onwuzurike #95 of the Washington Huskies looks on in the second quarter against the Eastern Washington Eagles during their game at Husky Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 31: Levi Onwuzurike #95 of the Washington Huskies looks on in the second quarter against the Eastern Washington Eagles 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’s star defensive tackle has decided to opt-out of the season, but is there a possibility he could return?

It should be no surprise to Washington football fans that Levi Onwuzurike has announced that he’s opting out of the 2020 season if one is to take place. The defensive tackle is currently a consensus top five player at his position according to draft experts, and is ranked as high as the number two DT, behind Florida State’s Marvin Wilson.

This is probably the right decision for the fifth-year senior, who probably doesn’t want to risk injury in what is a very weak class along the defensive line. If a semi-normal draft process can take place, Onwuzurike will have opportunities at the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and his pro day to cement himself as the top player at his position.

Onwuzurike is the complete package in the middle. He’s a very good run defender, but is at his best as a pass rusher. He has fast hands, great power, and a first step that at times, gets him into the backfield before the lineman across from him gets out of his stance. He commands attention from the offensive line, forcing double teams and giving his teammates better opportunities to get to the quarterback.

The Huskies aren’t thin at defensive tackle either, with a stable of guys itching to get their shot, most notably Tuli Letuligasenoa and Taki Taimani. But we can’t forget about sixth-year senior Josiah Bronson, or the trio of freshmen in Faatui Tuitele, Jacob Bandes, and Noa Ngalu. The group’s depth has taken a hit, between this decision and Sama Paama’s retirement from football.

https://twitter.com/LeviOnw/status/1306654865502822400

The pressing question with what seems to be approval for a 2020 season to start looming is, what if he decides to play? It seems that he’ll still have the option to return, as Ohio State stars Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis who both opted out of the season, were able to return to the Buckeyes when a season was approved. The situation might be a little different for Joe Tryon, who signed with an agent, but in this unusual time, anything is possible.

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