There’s already been a lot written about Vancouver DB/WR, Darien Chase since he was offered by the Huskies on Monday, but there’s also a lot to be read in-between the lines.
Chase tweeted out his offer from Washington, and most reporters pounced immediately. We talked to him that evening but it’s been a rather on-going convo since.
So here’s our take…
Chase, who’s 6-1, 190, and could play either side of the ball. He has no preference — so that’s appealing to the Husky coaches right now.
“I love both”, he said, “My strengths on offense….are my awareness and playmaking ability — and on defense, my ball skills and knowledge (from being a receiver).”
Both Matt Lubick and Jimmy Lake were in on the offering process, and they had already explained why they take more time in making offers. Washington, unlike Chase’s other leader, Oregon, has only offered around 70 players this cycle. Oregon has offered close to 300. Chase is well aware of this.
“That makes the scholarship offer mean a lot more to me”, he said, “Especially because they don’t just offer anyone — which is pretty cool to me.”
Chase was at Husky stadium checking out practice and taking an unofficial in late March. He has been over at the Dub at least three times before, but as his senior season looms closer and the interest in Washington heats up, the thought that the Ducks being the “local school” has begun to fizzle.
“I can definitely see myself at UW”, Chase chuckled, “I’d say they are more the local school.”
But you can bet the Ducks are going to bring it on more now that the Huskies have made their statement, and the fact that Chase is going to make a summer decision just brings on the intensity even more. But he will be over at Washington in June for camp, and most pundits now believe he will wind up in purple and gold.
He’s also a 4-star guy now.
Chase is a very intriguing athlete. He is just as proficient a receiver as he is a defensive back. Sources I’ve talked to have indicated that both Lubick and Lake would love to have him — so don’t be surprised if he gets a shot to play both ways if he signs with Washington.
