Spring practice number one is in the books. With the earliest start to Spring Football in recent memory, there was zero rust apparent on anybody. The practice was held inside Dempsey Indoor Arena with the offense in purple and the defense in white.
Rome Odunze caught everything in sight—in part because senior quarterback Michael Penix was in mid-season form.
In fact, it didn’t matter who was throwing the ball, Penix or backup Dylan Morris, the ball was not only on the money, but in spots where the only player with a shot at it was in a purple jersey.
Several plays happened in front of a helpless newly minted strong safety, Dom Hampton. He spent the 2022 season in the “Husky Position” and is adjusting to the communication and eye-discipline nuances of his new spot.
“In the Husky Position I was talking to me and my outside corner. Now I’m communicating work 4 or 5 guys,” he said.
He pointed towards the list of conference championships under coach Kalen DeBoer’s office and said, “My expectation is that we’re trying to get another conference up top there and then a natty.”
Hampton appreciates his daily matchups with Odunze and how much it is helping the defense grow.
“We are going against one of the better offenses in the country,” he said. “But at the same time going against them is going to make us better.”
He understands and appreciates the process and is looking forward to the growth as a defender.
“It’s crazy to see. He puts balls in different areas. Once we start getting some picks on Mike (Penix) then we know we’re doing the right thing,” Hampton said.
—Quentin Moore made a great catch with heavy pressure by Dom Hampton.
—A rifle from Michael Penix to Denzel Boston
—A fade to Devin Culp on a crossing route pulled in beautifully by Culp
—Giles Jackson dropped a pass difficult pass that was overgrown. He was lucky to get his fingers in it.
—Receiver Taj Davis newcomer Thaddeus Dixon. The Long Beach City College DB made his presence felt throughout practice, especially close to the line of scrimmage.
—The tight ends had a great day as a position group, regardless of contact. On one play Jack Westover was clearly interfered with by Dom Hampton but made the catch
Every Dawg Had His Day
With Penix at QB there was a torrid sequence of pass completions:
—A great catch by Rome Odunze on a back shoulder throw for 15 yards.
—Jalen McMillan on a crossing route gets 18 yards pass from panics.
—Germie Bernard, with Antonio Hill draped all over him made a very difficult catch and went 40 yards after the catch in for the score.
—Denzel Boston shakes off some press coverage for a beautiful completion of over 20 yards.
—Ryan Otton with a clear mismatch and nearly halls in a one handed catch.
—Giles Jackson with an overthrown pass, but was surrounded by 3 defenders. It was difficult to tell if the ball was tipped.
—Ja’Lynn Polk caught a back shoulder throw that was on top of him before he turned around. It was a perfectly thrown ball, perfectly-timed pass-and-catch. The defender was absolutely helpless.
—Taj Davis under heavy pressure was moved off of his route and the ball thrown over his head.
—Jack Westover with a comebacker over the middle, under heavy pressure from Dom Hampton, couldn’t haul it in.
—McMillan and Odunze wide left. Penix found Cam Davis over the middle for about an 8-yard pickup.
—Rome Odunze Jalen McMillan out wide left Zion Tupuola-Fetui nearly jumps off sides and the offense quickly changes the formation. Culp who was spit out wide moves to the tight end spot and Penix hands off to Cam Davis.
The defense had a very good day but Washington’s offense was just virtually unstoppable with Penix at the helm.
This doesn’t even account for the plays of the day which include a 90-yard touchdown, a 75-yard touchdown, and a 65-yard touchdown—which I’ll cover next.
