Washington Huskies Football: Who Will Start at Running Back in 2012?

Over the past three seasons, Washington has had fabulous production out of its quarterbacks.

Jake Locker had a breakout season and a follow-up season that put him in the first round of the NFL draft. Keith Price recently had one of the best seasons that a Husky passer has ever had. And while the passing game has been tremendous, the constant was always running back Chris Polk.

After Polk declared that he would be leaving for the NFL, Husky nation had a lot to wonder about. 

Polk's three seasons were record-setting; he almost set the career rushing-yard total for Washington in only three years. His performances in games like the 2010 Holiday Bowl supported and drove Washington's offense.

So, with Polk's absence next year, who will start, and what will the rushing attack look like?

The Huskies bring back four quality running backs who all have a shot at contributing during the 2012 season. Johri Fogerson, Deontae Cooper, Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey all will return and compete for the starting job in 2012.

Fogerson returns as undoubtedly the most experienced player. A red-shirt senior, Forgerson has played both safety and running back for the Huskies over his career, but now has himself focused on running the ball. Fogerson's most successful season came in 2009 when he had about 350 all-purpose yards. Unfortunately, his career has been laden with injuries and off-the-field incidents.

Last year, Fogerson's year was cut short after the game against Hawaii due to an injury requiring season-ending surgery. He had two touches all season. Fogerson is talented, but he's too fragile and distracted to be the starting running back for the Huskies next year.

Bishop Sankey is a very attractive prospect for the 2012 season. A blue-chip recruit out of Gonzaga Prep High School, Sankey played in eight games his freshman year. The true sophomore averaged almost seven yards per carry in a limited role last year.

Sankey's best game came against Colorado in which he mustered 71 yards on only eight carries and scored his only touchdown of the season. Sankey's role last year was very much that of a backup, but when given the opportunity, he made the most of it and proved he deserves his carries. His rushing style reminds many UW fans of, well, Chris Polk. Sankey is a physical runner who will vie for the starting role and serve as a change-of-pace back next year.

Deontae Cooper also returns for the Huskies. Cooper was a red-shirt freshman last year who sat out the entire season with a knee injury. He has not been able to play for the Huskies in a game situation and has not played football since 2009 as a senior in high school.

Regardless, Cooper comes in as another possible contributor. Cooper will have a very limited role in 2012, likely not playing often. His potential, though, is largely unknown.

Jesse Callier will be the Huskies' starting running back next year. A talented lighting-in-a-bottle-type runner, Callier returns as the most exciting of all UW running backs.

The true junior has rushed for almost 650 yards in his two seasons as Polk's backup. In that time, Callier has shown flashes of absolute brilliance, dodging and juking his way onto highlight reels. The California native is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and also spends time as a punt and kick returner, scoring from these positions as well. Callier has proved that he has the talent to replace Chris Polk, and in 2012, he should be the starting rusher for the University of Washington.

The Huskies return a talented group. Between Johri Fogerson, Bishop Sankey, Deontae Cooper and Jesse Callier, UW has what it takes to build off of last season's attacking offense and move into the upper echelon of the Pac-12. Callier should be the starting running back, but all three backs will help Washington rush into the next generation of notable Husky runners.