Husky Trails | A Change In Attitude Brings Recruits

Well, it's been a couple spring practices since I lasted posted something up, but so goes life when you are searching for a job in this economy. 

The exciting news however is that I've been working to finalize a column on Husky football called Husky Trails. I'll be writing two to three articles a week on my beloved Huskies and I would love any feedback you guys can give me.

If it's alright with you all, this will be my first post under the new banner, so enjoy!

A Change in Attitude Brings Recruits

Spring arrived finally for the Seattle area this Saturday and the campus is abuzz with the sounds of spring; the shedding of the winter layers of clothing, the cherry trees blossoming on the quad, and of course Washington Huskies football practice.

I had a chance to stop by Husky practice yesterday, April 6, to catch the first full pads practice and of course to catch some rays of sunshine.

Practice looks intense as ever, and it was great to the see the players going at it. More than once there were a few loud cracks due to some good hits. 

I watched Steve Sarkisian try and pull back a player who was beating him as they ran from practice field to practice field. It's good that with the intensity there is a jovial nature as well.

Ball security was one of the biggest issues that when through a lot of the offensive coaching. I saw both wide receivers coach Jimmie Dougherty and running backs coach Joel Thomas giving pointers on that aspect.

Thomas also did a bunch of the footwork drills while trying to strip the ball out of his players hands. No one dropped a ball, so that was a good sign.

Jake Locker had a pretty solid day at quarterback, connecting on a couple deep passes, even though he also threw a few interceptions. His biggest highlight was a fake hand-off keeper that he busted off for 70 yards and a touchdown.

EJ Savannah was back after a slight knock and continued to look impressive at linebacker. Having him could be a huge boost to a horrendous defensive unit as a whole from last year.

Daniel Teo'nesheim continues to garner head coach Steve Sarkisian's praise. Defensive coordinator Nick Holt and defensive line coach Johnny Nansen have moved him inside to provide a spark to the interior defensive line. From all accounts he should thrive there.

The biggest news coming out of the last two practices, however, is the addition of two new recruits from the state of Washington. In total, the Huskies had two recruits from in-state; now they have six with another coming from California in running back Melvin Davis.

Ben Riva, an offensive tackle from O'Dea high school (the same school as Taylor Mays for anyone not familiar with the Seattle high schools) committed at practice. He is the first of what could potentially be many, with offensive lineman and running backs being a priority for this class.

Riva is a tall lineman, he's 6'7" and 285 pounds, he said that he really liked the intensity of the coaches and the pace of the practices. He also liked the amount of one on one competition that permeates the practice.

Jamaal Kearse, younger brother of current Huskies receiver Jermaine Kearse, also committed today. He's bigger than his brother, listed at 6'2" 200 pounds, and figures to fit that big bodied receiver that coach Sark prefers.

He claimed that he loved the new staff and the intensity of practice as well, along with the environment on campus the most. Even though he may take a few trips he says he is a solid commit.

Kearse makes it the third commitment from Lakes high school in Lakewood Washington, following Darius Waters and Sione Potoe. Highly prized tight end from 2008 Kavario Middleton was also from Lakes and the four of them give the high school a growing reputation for grooming talent.

With many of the state's top recruits in attendance for the practice sessions, including jewel of the northwest Jake Heaps of Skyline high school, the atmosphere is bringing high praise, and some new faces to the program.

Considering the Huskies didn't have a single recruit until well into fall last season, the fact that UW has seven now is a testament to the effort the new coaching staff is putting in.

If I were to use one word to describe each coaching staff from my point of view I would say Tyrone Willinghams attitude was dour, while Sarkisians is electric. There is just an energy buzzing around practice that I feel like was lacking in the last four years.

Obviously some of the recruits can sense it too, which is a very good sign.

Well, until my next column, happy trails, or should I say Husky Trails! Too cheesy? Probably, but I love my Dawgs, so I'm OK with it.