S Wells Sr S Williams So S Aieywa So S Johnson Jr S Harris Sr S Fogerson Fr S Taylor Fr S Walker

S Wells, Sr S Williams, So S Aieywa, So S Johnson, Jr S Harris, Sr S Fogerson, Fr S Taylor, Fr S Walker, Fr   Consensus Ed Donatell’s background is as a defensive-backs coach, and he will change the look of this unit this season with the help of Coach Williams. As a group, I think play will improve dramatically, due to better teaching, schemes, and play calling. Coach Baer looked brain dead most of the time; so don’t expect the same performance from Donatell, who is an excellent coach Enjoy Ed the one year he is at the University of Washington. The Huskies also potentially bring in three new, true, frosh safeties in Johri Fogerson, Greg Walker, and Vince Taylor. All three are very good athletes, and Fogerson will most likely get a good look at running back before moving over to defensive back.

Walker was a linebacker in high school, and Taylor could play wide receiver or defensive back Vince has the potential to develop into a specimen. Tripper had a good spring and rose to second string on the depth chart. On the depth chart, you have junior Tripper Johnson, who walked on after ending his baseball career. He may not be the most talented safety we have ever had, but the kid gives a solid effort every time he hits the field. He has played a lot of his career both as a starter and as a backup.

Sophomore Nate Williams and sophomore Victor Aiyewa were the starters this past spring, and both reminded me of the Husky safeties of old, like Tim Peoples, Lawyer Milloy, etc Both of these kids can run and lay some lumber Senior Darin Harris returns for his final campaign. Senior Jason Wells returns after suffering an ACL injury early last year. Behind those three you have sophomore Matt Mosley and sophomore Vonzell McDowell, who both started a few games last year in their first year of action. Redshirt Marquise Persley also looks like a potential stud to build with in the future. True frosh Justin Glenn, Anthony Gobern, and Adam Long arrive this summer, and all will get a shot at getting into the rotation if they are ready. Senior Byron Davenport will challenge Forrester for a starting spot if he can stay healthy. Development and experience need to start taking over for the Huskies to take it to the next level.   Cornerback Washington went young this spring.

Redshirt Quinton Richardson, who came in faster than most thought, has been moved from safety to corner, and is slotted to start opposite senior Mesphin Forrester, who also moved over from safety. Willingham, upon his arrival, tried to address the problems by bringing in junior-college transfers, but that backfired on him when only a few of those guys were able to get into the school. Washington’s biggest problem has been simply running out of guys to put in the backfield. Without much of a rotation, guys get tired, and tired guys get burned. Most of the guys they have had have not improved, either, which points a finger at coaching, development, and talent. The main problem has been recruiting, retention, and development. UW has not recruited enough players at the position, and is only now getting back to the point where they have enough athletes to even practice with.