Let me preface this by saying this is nothing more than a prediction. In all likelihood, there will be just one, or potentially zero guys from the class of 2021 that will actually burn their extra year of eligibility at the end of the season. But at the same time, it’s fun to speculate!
QB Sam Huard
This one almost feels like cheating, but you can’t omit the country’s top quarterback from this discussion. No matter the situation, Huard is going to see the field at some point this year. Whether it be at the end of a few non-conference blowouts early on, or potentially if Dylan Morris struggles and the offense needs a jolt. Huard has elite arm talent, and the only question is how quickly will he learn the playbook? Offensive coordinator John Donovan compared it to learning a new language, and gauging how well he’s picked up the offense will probably be the biggest story of summer camp.
WR Jabez Tinae
Huard’s battery mate at Kennedy Catholic, who better to help ease the quarterback of the future in? In the non-conference matchups against Montana and Arkansas State, if the Huskies get up by enough, there’s no reason to not let Tinae get some experience against college defensive backs. He’s a crisp route runner, and just needs to make sure his body is physically ready for Pac-12 play. Getting a chance to play in those non-conference games will go a long way for him, and if he’s able to produce, he has the potential to move up the depth chart.
DT Voi Tunuufi
Tunuufi was one of the country’s most underrated prospects coming out of high school. The 6’1 270 pound defensive lineman has an elite bull rush, and otherworldly athleticism for a player of his size. While it’s going to take a year or two for him to fully develop, but if there are a few injuries up front, Tunuufi would probably be the first of the three interior linemen from the class of 2021 to see the field.
LB Will Latu
This one would be really interesting, but also might be the most realistic outside of Huard. The inside linebacker depth is a huge unknown outside of Edefuan Ulofoshio right now. Jackson Sirmon is probably penciled in as the other starter for now, but there’s a chance he gets overtaken by Daniel Heimuli at some point this season. Bob Gregory has already shown that he doesn’t care how old you are, preparing Josh Calvert to start as a true freshman before a knee injury ended his season in 2019. If Latu can pick up the defense quickly and display proficiency in run fits, he could have a role in the defense.
OLB Maurice Heims
This one works on a few different levels… the first is obviously the lack of depth at the edge position. Currently the Huskies have Sav’ell Smalls, Ryan Bowman, Jeremiah Martin, Jordan Lolohea, and Bralen Trice as their top options after losing Zion Tupuola-Fetui to a ruptured Achilles, and Laiatu Latu to medical retirement. Obviously getting a commitment from J.T. Tuimoloau would change things dramatically, but either way, the raw prospect from Germany should be a candidate to burn his redshirt. Turning him loose for a few snaps early on would be sort of a trial by fire in his development, and it would also prove to one of the team’s biggest 2022 targets, four-star defensive tackle Hero Kanu, that he could not only play early on, but he’d be able to do it next to his good friend Heims.
