On a day when most eyes were focused on the first-round for the name Byron Murphy to be called, the Huskies put Kaleb McGary on the list.
Murphy will likely go high in tomorrow’s second round, it was rather surprising to see McGary go in the first round; not because he wasn’t deserving, but it hasn’t been since the days of Lincoln Kennedy that the Huskies have had a hoss go this high.
“It’s awesome for him and UW”, Husky o-line coach, Scott Huff told Realdawg.com following the pick, “He’s strong as hell and an extremely hard worker.”
McGary chose to stay for his senior year despite some tantalizing thoughts last year, and obviously, going in the first round is any college football player’s dream.
“He made a touch a choice to stay last year but it obviously paid off”, Huff added.
Off the field, McGary is one of the most genuine, real people you could ever meet. When he was a recruit it became obvious quickly that he was a guy who would always shoot from the hip, but with a folksy humor to it.
He used to call me “boss”, and I always (and still do) call him “cowboy”. McGary is one of those guys you can’t help but root for. He’s a very physical lineman, and at right tackle? Going in the first-round is quite an accomplishment.
This is definitely one of those happy-ending stories for a young man who has had his struggles, overcame, and now can write his own script going forward.
2018 Morris Trophy Winner
2018 All-Pac-12 First Team
2017 All-Pac-12 First Team
2018: Winner of the 2018 Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman (as voted by opposing team players) in the Pac-12 … started all 14 games at right tackle … named the UW coaches’ lineman player of the week for the ASU game … won the John P. Angel Lineman of the Year Award at the UW postseason awards banquet.
2017: Started all 13 games at right tackle … earned first-team All-Pac-12 … named the UW coaches’ lineman of the game for the win at Colorado … shared the Earle T. Glant Tough Husky Award at the UW postseason awards banquet.
2016: Started every game of the 2016 season at right tackle … named the team’s lineman of the game after the win over Arizona.
2015: Played in 12 games, starting six … made Husky debut in the Boise State game, seeing a good deal of action at right tackle … also saw extensive time in the victory over Sacramento State … earned first start, at right tackle, in the win over Utah State … also started at right tackle vs. Cal, when he recorded a tackle (after a turnover) … returned to a starting role as the right tackle vs. Utah … also started there at Arizona State … started the Apple Cup and the Heart of Dallas Bowl at right tackle.
2014: Redshirted his true freshman season at the UW.
HIGH SCHOOL: As a senior at Fife, was named the South Puget Sound League’s 2A Defensive Lineman of the Year … also first-team All-SPSL at tight end and defensive line … named to Tacoma News-Tribune all-area team as tight end in 2013 … credited with 76 tackles during senior season … recorded 51 tackles as a junior, earning first-team All-SPSL at both tight end and defensive line … moved to Fife prior to junior season, having played football and basketball at Battle Ground (Wash.) High as a sophomore, when he was already listed at 6-foot-8 … one of just five prospects named a “Northwest Nugget” by the Tacoma News-Tribune … also named to the News-Tribune’s “Western 100” … listed as a “red chip” recruit by the Seattle Times … listed by both rivals.com and scout.com as the state’s No. 2 recruit … rated the No. 27 offensive tackle in the country by scout and the No. 29 OT by rivals … also a standout basketball player for the Trojans … played football for coach Kent Nevin.
