Husky fans have grown accustomed over the last two years of seeing the No. 36 flying around on the field leaving opposing players often times on the ground. Azeem Victor made First-Team All-Pac-12 last season despite missing the last four games of the season with a fractured leg. Victor finished last season with 67 tackles.
But this year things have changed. Often times you can see Azeem Victor on the sidelines just waiting for his chance to make a big play on defense.
The 6-foot-3, 231-pound senior was a preseason All-American and was viewed as the best linebacker in the conference by many. A one-game suspension for violating team rules forced Victor to miss the Huskies’ first game at Rutgers. Since then, Ben Burr-Kirven has been playing at middle linebacker and has done an excellent job, leading the team with 59 tackles, 19 more than any other Husky. Washington ranks No. 1 in total defense and No. 2 in scoring defense in the country.
The Huskies’ coaching staff has been experimenting with using Azeem Victor at outside linebacker/defensive end. Coach Petersen talked today at his press conference about wanting to get Victor on the field more.
“Yes we do. We for sure do,” Coach Petersen said about wanting to get Azeem Victor on the field more.”And we’re working hard to see if we can get him some more reps out there. And use his athleticism and football skills.”
Petersen was asked about whether Azeem Victor was frustrated about being benched and how he’s handled the situation.
“Absolutely,” Petersen said,” about Azeem Victor being frustrated. But Azeem Victor has handled the situation well according to Petersen.”He’s been good because I know he’s frustrated. We respect the guy tremendously, how’s he’s gone about his business. And he comes to practice and works hard. And we hope we can get him out there more.”
In limited work this season, Azeem Victor has 28 tackles.
No one envisioned Azeem Victor ever coming off the bench. It will be interesting to see how he is used the rest of the season as the Huskies continue to play lights out defense.
