Going through the play by play from Sunday’s practice, here are some notes that were overlooked in previous articles.
As Kalen DeBoer says, “winners win”. I’m sure that if he were asked about playmakers he say “playmakers make plays”.
—Will Nixon looks fantastic. He looks thicker in the thighs, but his hands really stick out. Sure, the balls have been perfect to him, but he looks like he will contribute this year.
—Likewise, Giles Jackson seems to have the ol’ stick’em on his hands. He’s been an aggressive route runner who absolutely explodes out of his breaks. On a bullet from Morris he looked back and the ball was perfectly placed. He pulled it in with 3-4 steps before he went out of bounds. He was running so hard when the ball was delivered that he wasn’t able to fully decelerate when he hit the padded wall below the stands. Unbelievable throw from Morris and an incredible catch by Jackson.
—There was one good old-fashioned buttonhook by Jack Westover where the ball was on him, nearly in his facemask when he turned around. There was no time to make any adjustment to the ball. He stuck up his hands and caught the ball and tucked it. There was zero chance for a pick and it happened so fast that he was able to drive the pile a few more yards down field with a strong backpedal.
—Ulumoo Ale is one of the faster 317-pounders around. On one play when someone flushed Morris from the pocket Ale gave chance. Morris stepped out of bounds but Ale gave him a run for his money. This was the 2nd time his new-found speed was evident. On Saturday he blew through the first-team OL and got pressure in the QB. He’s also gummed up the middle on several occasions.
—Saturday Daniyel Ngata called The Washington playbook “way more sophisticated”…18 hours later he had his best day. On a pass play he caught a ball with a defender all over him and had a few nice runs in traffic.
—Austin Harneteaux had a great sack on Mack. That was followed up by two sacks by Maurice Heims, and a sack by Sekai Asoau-Afoa who has had a great camp.
—Washington’s DBs are quite vocal and light years better than last year. All-American candidate Rome Odunze had balls by Penix on Saturday and Morris on Sunday batted away. The DBs are doing a great job of making his life miserable which would only serve to make him better.
—RB Richard Newton is making the best of his opportunity. With Dillon Johnson being limited in participation those reps are being taken not only by Nixon, Ngata but also by Newton. Last season this time he was running up and down the sideline to get into game shape, but now he’s showing his power run game but also reliable hands.
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The 4th and Inches, a Washington Huskies Podcast
—A couple of guys got nicked up, but work Monday being an off day they should have plenty of time to heal up.
—Ralen Goforth seems to be locked in with last year’s surprise starter Alfonso Tuputala with the first unit. The rest is muddled. Harnetiaux got quite a few reps worth the second unit and cashed it in with a sack, Ulofoshio has looked good, as has Carson Bruener but the freshman walk-on from Seattle Prep will push for time. With his speed he’ll likely be on kick coverage against Boise State.
These are just some of the playmakers making plays. I’ll continue to dig through my notes for more nuggets.
