Top 10 Huskies

[D-train]

By Mike Vorel
Seattle Times staff reporter
We finally made it.

Before UW officially commences fall camp Friday, let’s cap off our daily ranking of the 2021 Huskies roster. Imaginary drumroll, please …

10. Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles, jr., 5-9, 180
Position: defensive back

Potential role in 2021: Elijah Molden’s successor at nickelback.

Why he’s ranked here: A former three-year starter at Oklahoma, “Bookie” made an immediate impact after arriving on Montlake last spring. “He’s a Dawg, simple as that,” UW head coach Jimmy Lake said at Pac-12 media days. “We talk about what Dawgs are. They’re big-time people but also big-time football players. This guy loves football, high football character, a great person. You can already tell he’s going to make a bunch of plays for us. He’s a leader for us. He’s going to energize our stadium when he does it. We are very thankful that Bookie decided to come to the University of Washington.”

9. Henry Bainivalu, jr., 6-6, 330
Position: offensive line

Potential role in 2021: Starting right guard and purveyor of pancakes.

Why he’s ranked here: Jaxson Kirkland and Luke Wattenberg have earned much of the attention, and rightfully so. But on the right side, the 6-6, 330-pound Bainivalu earned Pro Football Focus first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2020, and should improve in his second full season as a starter. The junior colossus and former Skyline High School standout has surprisingly nimble feet and could emerge as an NFL prospect with a convincing 2021 campaign.

8. Kyler Gordon, so., 6-0, 200
Position: defensive back

Potential role in 2021: Starting cornerback and all-around athletic anomaly.

Why he’s ranked here: Kyler Gordon is the most athletic defensive back Lake has ever had — more athletic than Budda Baker and Taylor Rapp and Kevin King and Sidney Jones, and on and on and on. Only now, he’s paired those physical advantages with technique and play recognition. “We all knew he was an extraordinary athlete, and now finally he feels it,” Lake said. “You can see the smile on his face. He’s like: ‘Coach, I know what I’m doing now. I know the techniques. I know the plays are coming before they’re being executed against us.’”

7. Luke Wattenberg, sr., 6-5, 300
Position: offensive line

Potential role in 2021: Starting center and underappreciated technician.

Why he’s ranked here: Wattenberg has played left tackle and left guard. Now, he’s playing center. And though he doesn’t inspire the same excitement as some on this particular list, the sixth-year senior provides a steady presence in the middle of what could be an elite offensive line. UW offensive line coach Scott Huff said last spring that “it’s tough to find someone that’s worked harder going all the way back to the beginning of this pandemic.” That work will continue to quietly pay dividends for UW.

6. Ryan Bowman, sr., 6-1, 280
Position: outside linebacker

Potential role in 2021: Starting outside linebacker and do-everything defender.

Why he’s ranked here: In his last full season in 2019, Bowman produced 34 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 13 games. And, if the value of his presence wasn’t apparent enough, note how the UW defense disintegrated when Bowman missed the final two games of the 2020 campaign. Without All-American outside linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Bowman’s return for a sixth season in 2021 is all the more important. Expect the perpetually underrated outside linebacker to answer the call.

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5. Edefuan Ulofoshio, so., 6-1, 235
Position: inside linebacker

Potential role in 2021: Starting inside linebacker and unabashed defensive leader.

Why he’s ranked here: It seems like a decade ago that Ulofoshio arrived as an anonymous walk-on linebacker in 2018. Since, he’s earned a scholarship, a starting position, All-Pac-12 honors and a whole lot more. The Anchorage, Alaska, native and pre-med student was a Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele Honorable Mention All-American last season, and without departed DB Elijah Molden, he’s now UW’s defensive leader. The fourth-year sophomore is ready to ascend.

4. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, so., 6-4, 260
Position: outside linebacker

Potential role in 2021: Will likely (but not certainly) miss the entire season with a torn Achilles.

Why he’s ranked here: “ZTF” came out of nowhere to lead the nation with 1.75 sacks per game in 2020. The All-American outside linebacker and first-team All-Pac-12 performer might be ranked even higher, had a torn Achilles tendon in April not likely wiped out his 2021 season. Still, Lake said last week, “I have no doubt he’ll be back sooner than our doctors think he’ll be back.” Perhaps a late season return for the pearl from Pearl City, Hawaii, is not out of the question.

3. Jaxson Kirkland, jr., 6-7, 310
Position: offensive line

Potential role in 2021: Starting left tackle and eater of worlds.

Why he’s ranked here: After starting his first four games at left tackle in 2020, the 6-7, 310-pound former right guard might have sneaked into the first round of the 2021 draft. Instead, Kirkland decided to return for a fifth season in Seattle and continue to anchor an experienced Husky offensive line. “The reason I came back is to leave a legacy at the University of Washington,” he said at Pac-12 media days last week. “The college experience is huge to me, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

2. Cade Otton, jr., 6-5, 250
Position: tight end

Potential role in 2021: UW’s most trusted pass-catcher and an elite blocker at tight end.

Why he’s ranked here: Cade Otton led the Huskies in catches (18), receiving yards (258) and receiving touchdowns (3) in 2020. He snared the go-ahead 16-yard score in a thrilling 24-21 comeback win over Utah. He also separated himself as a bruising blocker in the run game. In an offensive system that utilizes its tight ends in myriad ways, Otton is perfectly suited to expose an overmatched opponent up the seam or seal the edge on a walk-in touchdown run. In other words: he’s essentially an NFL tight end. Enjoy him while you can, Husky fans.

1. Trent McDuffie, so., 5-11, 195
Position: defensive back

Potential role in 2021: Shutdown corner. Don’t go throwing his way.

Why he’s ranked here: After a practice last spring, UW assistant defensive backs coach Terrence Brown was asked just how good Trent McDuffie is. “I think we all know the answer to that,” Brown said with a loud laugh, before repeating himself for added emphasis. “I think we all know the answer to that.” As a cornerback, as a punt returner, as an NFL prospect, McDuffie is the best that Washington has to offer. And the best should still be yet to come.

[Captain 97]

So the number one Pro Stye QB recruit in the country isn't even in the top 10 on his own team?

[D-train]

LOL I didn't even notice that

[Michael K.]

So the number one Pro Stye QB recruit in the country isn't even in the top 10 on his own team?

Or the guy that apparently is going to start at QB instead?

[D-train]

Lake has already made the announcement. Morris is the starter.

[Michael K.]

Lake has already made the announcement. Morris is the starter.

Well, they had a big QB once during his time here. He must not have liked it. Watch Huard transfer to another PAC 12 school and shove it up our ass three times before going pro.

[57reasons]

that was always the thing about Sam - because of his last name and the strong local ties, they didnt have to worry about him transferring if he didnt win the starting job day 1 like they would anyone else of his same pedigree.

on kind of a related note, i like what i've seen so far from Lake in his decision-making (2-DL defense aside) - similar to the rep that PC/JS have of "always compete" and few roster spots are safe, Lake seems undaunted by fans & media's expectations, not rushing 5-stars Huard or Smalls into the lineup until they earn it, and tapping the portal to reel in more talented WRs than the overhyped underperformers he didnt deter from leaving.
same could be said of his choice of OC, though the jury is still out on the wisdom of that hire.

[Michael K.]

that was always the thing about Sam - because of his last name and the strong local ties, they didnt have to worry about him transferring if he didnt win the starting job day 1 like they would anyone else of his same pedigree.

on kind of a related note, i like what i've seen so far from Lake in his decision-making (2-DL defense aside) - similar to the rep that PC/JS have of "always compete" and few roster spots are safe, Lake seems undaunted by fans & media's expectations, not rushing 5-stars Huard or Smalls into the lineup until they earn it, and tapping the portal to reel in more talented WRs than the overhyped underperformers he didnt deter from leaving.
same could be said of his choice of OC, though the jury is still out on the wisdom of that hire.

A buddy of mine coached on the staff's with Gilby and Neuheisel. Was always fun to listen to him tell stories. Listening to him talk about what Brock could do with a football is silly. I think it was 97 or 98, and the Huskies were ranked high, definitely in the hunt for a Rose Bowl. He got us some awesome seats for the USC game and we just flat out kicked the shit out of them. Brock made a throw late in the game, off his back foot for a TD that was flat out ridiculous. My buddy talked about that for years.

He was also on staff later, for with Tui. I had a ball from the Stanford game where Tui threw for 300 and ran for 200. Made the mistake of giving it back because he was going to have Tui sign it. I don't have it anymore. He was in the booth when we lost at Autzen Tui's the Rose Bowl year. Apparently he had a few choice words, in the headset, for the OC that told Tui to audible. In Autzen, on 3rd down. Half the team missed the audible, the play broke down...can't remember if we settle for three or punted, but it cost us the game. That doesn't happen? We are undefeated and go to the Ship. Then I wouldn't have to listen to those fuckers in Miami act like they got screwed out of the Ship. We only had one loss. Yeah, to us, and we only had one loss too! Fuck I hate Miami.

Man, I could go on and on. He got me on the field for the AZ game when they wheeled Curtis Williams out in the pre game. His dad is a coach too and was standing next to me in the corner of the endzone. We are screaming at each other and can barely hear....you could feel the sound come through your chest! My buddies dad says "If I am AZ, I take the wind out of this place, go deep." Orteze Jenkins (sp) goes deep, they score like two plays later, and it looks like we are going to get routed. When Willie Hurst scores the go ahead TD, I was literally standing in front of him as he points at all of us and screams "FUCK YEAH!" Damn, typing about that game gives me goosebumps!

Anyway, sorry, that went from young Huard, to Brock, to my buddy, to memory lane. My bad. I honestly believe Sam will be the real deal. I watched him absolutely dissect Wenatchee in the playoffs. A couple of the freaking bombs he threw were literally just the flick of a wrist. It looked like he never even planted his feet! Just backpedal and fling....and they were dimes!

[D-train]

Just hard for me to understand how Browning can start as a freshman but Sam can't when he is being blocked by Dylan Morris.

[Michael K.]

Just hard for me to understand how Browning can start as a freshman but Sam can't when he is being blocked by Dylan Morris.

Yeah, can't disagree. I have visions of the Oregon State game we should have lost, the first half against Utah and pretty much every snap against Stanford. We played four games last year, and the only game Morris and the offense weren't mediocre to shitty was against a REALLY bad AZ team. So, either Morris has REALLY improved, Huard is vastly over rated, or we are in trouble.

I mean, really....think back to just about every quarter he played besides the 4th against Utah and that shit show that was AZ? He was pretty bad.