San Diego State at Washington
Folks its time once again for Husky Football.
Washington hopes to a contend for the Pac12 North crown and will get a chance to assess whether it has improved defensively when it opens against San Diego State on Saturday.
Ahead of the game the UW game notes are out. We have our first look at what the depth on this team looks like, in order.
Here’s a look at UW’s depth chart for the 2012 season.
Husky Offense
Quarterbacks
Keith Price QB:, Jr., 6-1, 202
After heading into the 2011 season with QB being a relatively big unknown, it is no secret in 2012. Price stepped right in and did more than was ever expected from him, breaking all sorts of UW passing records along the way.
With a season underneath his belt, and star RB Chris Polk gone, the Huskies offense will look to Price for more responsibility and leadership this season.
In 2011 Price stepped right in and did more than was ever expected from him
The offense is undoubtedly his, all he needs to show is that he can handle the full load.
RB: Jesse Callier, Jr., 5-10, 211 Bishop Sankey, So., 5-10, 200
Chris Polk starred for the Husky offense for the last 3 seasons, and replacing him will be no easy task.
He was a workhorse, bruising style back, and expecting any of the current guys to replicate that is a bit much. But, both Callier and Sankey have experience, and between the two of them the position should not drop off significantly.
Both are speed guys, and Callier has made a name for himself the last couple of seasons frequently running the “fly sweep”. Another bonus with these two is there ability to split out wide and make catches as wide-receivers.
Look for them to split carries early on, but as the season wears on Coach Sarkisian will always lean toward the hot hand.
Wide Receivers
Wide Receiver 1: Kasen Williams, So., 6-2, 216, Cody Bruns, Sr-RS, 5-11, 183
Wide Receiver 2: Jaydon Mickens, Fr., 5-10, 170 Kevin Smith, Jr., 5-11, 213
Wide Receiver 3: Kendyl Taylor, Fr., 5-10, 200, DiAndre Campbell, So., 6-1, 198
This will be one of the youngest units on the field, on both sides of the ball. As you see, both Mickens and Taylor are true freshmen.
Despite the group being riddled with injuries to upperclassmen like James Johnson (dislocated wrist) and Smith, Sarkisian has made it known the young guys have ascended the depth chart due to their playmaking abilities on the field. Williams, in his sophomore season, should have a breakout year.
After redshirting last year, senior Cody Bruns is the veteran of the group, and should be one of the team leaders. The word on Mickens is that he is extremely fast, and his deep threat abilities should be a very big weapon for Keith Price and company.
Sarkisian has been wanting to stretch the field much more in the past couple of seasons, he may finally have the group of receivers to do just that.
Tight Ends
TE: Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, So., 6-6, 266, Michael Hartvigson, So., 6-6, 255
Sophomore Sefarian-Jenkins quickly became one of the best underclassmen tight ends in the nation during his Freshmen season, and now look for him to become one of the best tight ends, period. He has the size, the hands, and the athletic ability to beat defenses in many different ways.
He should become a much better blocker, and all around pass catcher this year.
ASJ will be the main guy, but luckily Hartvigson is a very serviceable back up, and they will look to install many more two-tight end sets than they have been able to do in years past.
Lineman
LT: Micah Hatchie, So., 6-5, 293, Dexter Charles, RS-Fr., 6-4, 292
LG: Colin Tanigawa, So., 6-3, 281, Josh Mitchell, Fr., 6-2, 274
C: Drew Schaefer, Sr., 6-4, 294
RG: Eric Kohler, Jr. 6-4, 299, James Atoe, So., 6-6, 335
RT: Ben Riva, So., 6-6, 302, Mike Criste, So., 6-5, 295
Although this group is fairly young across the board, other than Schaefer being a senior, the coaching staff says this is the most stable and talented group they have had yet. As long as they mold and grow together, we could finally being heading back to the offensive lines of old.
Big, powerful groups that have the ability to knock any defender off their feet.
Husky Defense
Lineman
DE 1: Talia Crichton, Sr., 6-3, 264, Pio Vatuvei, Fr., 6-2, 281
DE 2: Andrew Hudson, S0., 6-3, 249, Semisi Tokolahi, Sr., 6-2, 340
NT: Danny Shelton S0., 6-1, 317
R: Josh Shirley, So., 6-3, 230, Connor Cree, Sr., 6-4, 245
The defense was horrible last year, so saying anything but things will improve is not a big observation. Shirley was the team leader in sacks, and should look to improve upon that. Shelton steps in as the full-time starter at the nose, and he should have a breakout season.
We don’t exactly what types of schemes they will present, but expect many more blitz packages and pressure.
The Dawgs are looking for someone to take the lead. The guy in the middle, Sophomore John Timu will do just that.
Linebackers
LB: John Timu, So., 6-1, 231, Thomas Tutogi, Jr., 6-1, 242
LB: Princeton Fuimaono, Jr., 6-1, 211, Taz Stevenson, Jr., 6-1, 215
LB: Travis Feeney, RS-Fr., 6-4, 209
With any young, in-experienced group, they will be looking for someone to take the lead. The guy in this group will be the man in the middle, Sophomore John Timu. This linebacking corps is going to be fast, and very athletic.
A good thing when trying to stop the spread attacks that are so prevalent in the Pac-12 conference.
Defensive backs
CB 1: Desmond Trufant, Sr., 6-0, 186, , Marcus Peters RS-Fr., 5-11, 194
CB2: Tre Watson, Jr., 5-9, 183, Gregory Ducre, Jr., 5-10, 177
S: Will Shamburger, Jr., 6-0, 185, Justin Glenn, Sr., 5-11, 214
S: Sean Parker, Jr., 5-10, 190, Anthony Gobern, Sr., 5-11, 189
N: Shaq Thompson, Fr., 6-2, 215
New coaches and a new scheme should create an energized, fired up secondary. They were often called to stand 10 yards off the ball and play very loose coverage under the old regime. Not anymore. They will be aggressive at the line, and will look to throw receivers off their routes immediately.
They know many times last year they were embarrassed, and these guys have a chip on their shoulders. Trufant is entering his senior year, and he has the capability of being one of the best cover corners in the country.
Watson was an invited walk-on from Central Washington who eventually earned a scholarship, and starting spot, because of his performances during practice. Everyone knows about highly touted true Freshmen Shaq Thompson.
He is a play-making, ball-hawking beast who will look to make an immediate impact as the main guy in the Huskies nickel package.
Husky Special Teams
P: Koree Durkey, Fr., 6-4, 222
K: Travis Coons, Jr., 6-2, 205
PR: Kasen Williams, So., 6-2, 216 or Jaydon Mickens, Fr., 5-10, 170
KOR: Jaydon Mickens, Fr., 5-10, 170 or Shaq Thompson, Fr., 6-2, 215
Both the kicker and punter are newcomers, Durkey a true freshmen from Gig Harbor, and Coons a Junior Via the junior college ranks.
Coons was known to have a little accuracy issue, but from all accounts he has been booting the ball extremely well in fall camp.
As for the returners, things were improved last year with Kasen Williams taking punts back. Mickens, the true freshmen speedster, should add a big boost to kick off returns.
As should Thompson with his play-making abilities.
Also, look for receiver Kevin Smith and tailback Jesse Callier to handle some return duties as well.
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