It’s no secret, quarterback Sam Huard was the star of the day. However it didn’t start that way, he started his day with a bad read where he didn’t see the slot defender Dominque Hampton creeping over to his intended receiver, which turned into an interception. He immediately bounced back, hitting Jalen McMillan for a 60-yard touchdown on the very next play, who was covered by Mishael Powell.
Not only did Huard make the biggest plays on the day, but he was also the most consistent. He hit Rome Odunze for another 60-yarder down the sidelines, where he beat cornerback Jordan Perryman. His short and intermediate passing game was also much improved, and to cap off the day, he found his former high school teammate Jabez Tinae for a 70-yard touchdown with a perfectly placed ball between two defenders towards the end of practice.
Michael Penix Jr. and Dylan Morris didn’t have as many big plays on the day, but the quarterback battle looks like it’s going to be a formidable one throughout the entirety of fall camp. Part of the reason they didn’t have the best day was there was pressure in the backfield all day, Jeremiah Martin’s progression from when he stepped on campus in 2021 has been in leaps and bounds, and there was pressure in the backfield on a lot of the dropbacks for all three quarterbacks. Co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell said after practice that Martin, along with Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui are “three high-end edge rushers” that they’re excited to utilize in 2022.
Notes
Linebacker Cam Bright and defensive lineman Voi Tunuufi both got credit for sacks during full team periods, but the biggest winner of the day defensively might have been defensive back Kamren Fabiculanen, who recorded a sack in the team period, and made an impressive diving play in a one on one drill with Denzel Boston to secure an interception.
Converted offensive lineman Ulumoo Ale got credit for a batted pass in the team drills, and he seems to be settling into his role on the other side of the trenches very nicely.
One of the biggest takeaways on the day was Devin Culp, he looks like he has the potential to be a matchup nightmare in Kalen DeBoer’s offensive scheme. While he had a couple of drops on the day, he made up for them with some athletic grabs. If he continues to progress as a pass catcher, he could be a defense’s worst nightmare over the middle of the field.
Co-defensive coordinator William Inge was very complimentary of his inside linebackers after practice, which has been a position of concern in previous years for Husky fans:
On Alphonzo Tuputala- “He has it in him. He can be great and do everything we need him to do, and that’s because his level of preparation is elite.”
On Cam Bright: “He’s light years ahead of when he got in here. He came in a week before spring ball, and we’re very excited about where he is now.”
On Daniel Heimuli: “He’s poised for a big year… we’re very happy with what we’re getting from him, and he just has to keep going and keep progressing.”
Morrell also had some good things about transfer linebacker Kris Moll. He said the UAB transfer and former All-American knows the scheme, but is still getting comfortable with the language, but once he does, “he’s going to be a playmaker.”
