Washington Football: Chris Polk and the Huskies' Top 8 Strengths
It turns out that we are only a few days from June (not that Seattle weather would serve as any indication), meaning that the college football season is essentially already upon us, and opening weekend is a mere three months away.
The Washington Huskies are coming off a convincing win over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl, and will be looking to improve for the third straight season.
While the departure of a certain popular quarterback may understandably lead to worries about the upcoming season, the Huskies quietly have strengths developing all over the football field. They should be considered sleepers in what is looking like a very competitive Pac-12.
If the UW is indeed going to compete this year, here are some candidates that will likely carry them back to significance.
Chris Polk, RB
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Is there any question that the junior running back will be the focal point of this offense?
Polk ran for over 1,400 yards as a sophomore behind an offensive line that had trouble protecting quarterback Jake Locker. The man who never seemed to go down after the first hit got even stronger as the season progressed, as he combined for over 450 yards in his last two games.
This preseason All-Pac-12 member should enjoy his best season yet as the leader of the offense, and will likely have fans begging him to stay one more year.
Polk's backup, home run threat Jesse Callier, will also have another year under his belt after averaging 5.6 yards per carry as a true freshman. He will be effective in giving Polk breaks.
Receiving Corps
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They struggled with drops at times last season, but another year of experience should only help this talent-heavy group.
Senior Jermaine Kearse is the obvious No. 1, as he was also selected to Phil Steele's preseason All-Pac-12 first team, and has an outside shot at making the All-American first team.
Alongside Kearse should be senior Devin Aguilar, who had a very productive sophomore season in 2009, but struggled with injuries last year. If he stays healthy, look out for a monster season from the senior.
You may remember junior James Johnson from two years ago, or you may have forgotten about him after he recorded just one catch last year. According to receiving coach Jimmie Dougherty, Johnson will get more reps as the slot receiver this year, and hopefully he can get back to what he was as a freshman.
On top of those three developing weapons, the Huskies have incoming freshman Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who figures to get plenty of playing time at tight end.
Whether Keith Price or Nick Montana line up behind center, there will be plenty of weapons both behind and around them to help ease them into action.
Austin Seferian-Jenkings, TE
3 of 8Speaking of incoming freshmen Austin Seferian-Jenkins, he should develop into an immediate strength for this team. He blocks like a tackle and catches like, well, like a decent tight end that might need a little improvement.
According to ESPN, Seferian-Jenkins uses his body to catch the ball too often, but he sometimes displays the ability to catch the ball away from his body, as well. At 6'6", he's going to be a great target across the middle for either Price or Montana. He's not elusive, but will be a tough guy to bring down.
According to Sporting News' college football preview, Sefarian-Jenkins will be the freshman that has most impact on the Pac-12.
Again, both Keith Price and Nick Montana have to feel a little more comfortable knowing they have this big guy as a check-down option.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Alameda Ta'amu, DT
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The big senior defensive tackle showed his brilliance in the Holiday Bowl, recording a sack, recovering a fumble and forcing a holding call that resulted in a safety.
Ta'amu, who was also picked as an All-Pac-12 preseason first-teamer, appears to be feeding off his late season success, as he dominated the spring game earlier this month.
Not only is Ta'amu one of the Huskies' biggest strengths, he is arguably the most important player on the defense. If he can consistently be a force inside and draw double teams, he will make things a lot easier for the rest of the less-than-stellar defensive line.
If Ta'amu has his expected successful year, look for senior Everrette Thompson and possibly freshman Josh Shirley to wreck havoc on the outside all year long.
Nate Fellner, FS
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As just a sophomore last year, Fellner started every game and lead the team with five interceptions, including an incredible pick against UCLA, and also one in the Holiday Bowl. He recorded 79 tackles, good for fifth on the team.
Apparently, Fellner looked very good during the Huskies' spring game. Expect big things from the junior who seems to improve just about every game.
The secondary has been—how do i put this nicely—pretty terrible the past few years, but couple Fellner with returning starting corners Quinton Richardson and Desmond Trufant, and the Huskies are suddenly on their way up.
Cort Dennison, MLB
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The senior in the middle of this defense had a nice season last year, finishing fourth in the Pac-10 with eight tackles per game. He also sprinkled in some interceptions and sacks, proving that he is a legitimate playmaker.
The Huskies have had a slew of terrific linebackers over the last few years, and Dennison should continue that tradition, shoring up the middle all year long.
Special Teams
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Although he struggled a little bit near the end of last season, Erik Folk has established himself as an incredibly clutch kicker. He has hit plenty of game winners in the past two years, including one at USC last year.
Over at the punter position, senior Kiel Rasp filled in admirably last year for Will Mahan. Not only did Rasp set a Husky record with 43.76 yards per punt, but he achieved a 352 quarterback rating (1-1, 30 yards).
Not bad. Not bad at all.
As far as return men go, the Huskies have plenty of talented options. Devin Aguilar and Jesse Callier have done well in the past, but youngsters Kevin Smith and Sean Parker figure into the mix as well. The new holder of the state triple-jump record, Kasen Williams, might be an option to return kicks, as well.
For the first time in years, the Huskies have talent throughout the whole special teams unit.
Coaching
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It's pretty obvious by the now the job that head coach Steve Sarkisian has done—leading the Huskies to a Holiday Bowl victory just two years removed from a zero win season is nothing short of re-"sark"-able.
Sarkisian has been terrific, there is no doubting that, but defensive coordinator Nick Holt also deserves a mention.
Holt, while looking like possibly one of the scariest men alive, did an admirable job last year. He certainly didn't have the most talent on his defense, but he turned them into a ball-hawking machine during the Holiday Bowl. Nebraska, who dropped 56 on the Huskies earlier in the year, gained only 189 yards of total offense, which was good for third fewest in Holiday Bowl history.
As the pieces start falling into place all over the field for the Huskies, it will be exciting to see what Sarkisian and Holt can do, especially after seeing what they've done with a lot less in the past.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
