There are a lot of reasons to be excited for Kalen DeBoer’s first season at the helm for Washington football in 2022. With new, more aggressive schemes on both sides of the ball, the Huskies should be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12. There’s still tons of talent on the roster from the 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes, which should be considered two of the best in school history.
If the coaching staff can get the most out of the talent that they have on the roster, there’s a good chance they can go into Pac-12 play at 3-0 (no, this isn’t one of the bold predictions), and could end up as one of the best teams in the conference. So with that being said, let’s get bold.
Dominique Hampton will be an All Pac-12 First Team defender
So far during fall camp, the new Husky position in the defense has been very exciting to watch. The position is going to have a lot of responsibilities, and in 2022 they’re going to fall on Dominique Hampton. He’s slotted in at safety, played man coverage in the slot, and has done a lot of blitzing off the edge, but the most interesting thing is how the scheme has been able to mask him in certain underneath coverages.
Hampton has had at least one interception, and multiple other tips and close calls where the quarterback didn’t even see him coming. It feels like there’s a good chance he winds up with multiple sacks, and with all the opportunities he’s going to have to create turnovers he could also lead the team in interceptions.
Washington will have the highest scoring offense in the Pac-12
Yes, USC is led by Lincoln Riley and has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Caleb Williams, and Biletnikoff award winner Jordan Addison, but where’s the fun in saying they’ll be top three? Under John Donovan, Washington’s offense averaged a meager 21.5 points per game, which was good for ninth in the Pac-12. With loads of talent at wide receiver to go with the improved scheme, an improved and more athletic offensive line, along with a stable of running backs who can be utilized in the passing game, the Husky offense is going to be the most dynamic its been in a long time.
Cam Bright will lead the conference in tackles
Inside linebacker play has been tough to watch at Washington over the past few seasons. With injuries to Edefuan Ulofoshio and poor coaching from the previous staff, the inside linebacker position has suffered immensely, especially against the run. That shouldn’t be an issue in 2022 with Cam Bright in the middle of the defense. The graduate transfer from Pitt is going to be a force in the middle of the defense, and one of the members of Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” is going to excel on Montlake.
Bright won’t have to do it alone either. Co-defensive coordinator William Inge has done an excellent job fixing up the inside linebacker position, also bringing in UAB transfer Kris Moll, along with coaching up the talent in the room. It feels like Bright is going to be the three-down backer and signal caller, while whoever’s next to him might rotate in depending on the situation or who needs a breather.
