Husky Trails | Academics and Injury Affect Washington Running Backs

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Leading into the 2009 season it looked like head coach Steve Sarkisian was going to suffer the same problem he had at USC, an overabundance of running backs. A committee system seemed just as likely at Washington.

The difference, of course, at Washington is that the running back who proved the least bad was going to get it. At USC it was the the player who was the best, and in truth it almost didn't matter who was played, they were all just as good.

Well, it seems that Sarkisian now has three less backs to worry about in his equation.

David Freeman and Brandon Johnson have both been declared academically ineligible and Brandon Yakaboski has had a setback on his knee injury.

Freeman is the biggest hit. A true freshman last season, he showed the most promise of all the backs played. He ran with the most purpose despite his small frame.

Johnson's career at UW has shown flashes of being quite promising, but has been held up by injury over the last two years.

Yakaboski has yet to suit up for the Huskies in a game situation. 

It leaves the Huskies with four backs instead of seven, which could be more than enough if one of the remaining backs asserts himself.

Freshmen Chris Polk and Demetrius Bronson, along with sophomores Willie Griffin and Curtis Shaw are the only remaining backs.

Chris Polk is the most probable starter, after being listed at the top of the depth chart after spring along with Griffin.

Bronson as well made a good impression on the new staff during spring and there is no doubt he will see the field if the two starters in front of him falter.

This news affects two areas on the team, off the field, as well. 

It frees up some scholarship room for players, with the current cap being 85 for the team. This has become a challenging issue for coaches across the country and has made recruiting a much more acute challenge.

That leads to the second part that this news affects, the recruiting front. Sarkisian has stated on several occasions that recruiting running backs is a priority in this class. Especially since none were signed in the last one.

Now with the loss of two, plus worrying injury problems for another, you can imagine the staff is redoubling efforts to sign more.

Currently the 2010 class only holds two running backs, with Zach Fogerson being slated as a fullback. This leaves Melvin Davis, of Harbor City, CA, has the only true running back slated to be signed.

It will be interesting to see how this saga plays itself out. It will also be interesting to see, if these players can get their academics back on track, if they can play for UW in the future.

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