Thursday, November 30, 2006

A Thin Defensive Secondary

The Husky defense was improved for the most part last year as the secondary played better than they have played over the last four years. The bad news is the Huskies are losing All Pac Ten Stud S CJ Wallace, and CB Dashon Goldson. Look for them both to be playing somewhere on Sunday's next season. Fountaine graduates after getting a lot of playing time during his career. Chris Hemphill, and Durrell Moss won't be returning for a 5th year. Hemphill will be missed and many have questioned Ty's decision to send him packing after playing very well the last three games of the season.

Jason Wells, and Mesphin Forrester will be the starting safeties going into Spring. Ashley Palmer is still in limbo, and it is uncertain if he will get his academics in order to enter school this Winter. Roy Lewis who has all league potential return's as the lone experienced CB. Jordan Murchison, and Matt Mosley who redshirted last season will battle it out for the other CB spot. What you see is what you get, Washington will only be returning five defensive backs and that could spell trouble if Palmer doesn't get in, and Ty is unable to find some JC's, or Frosh ready to play to bolster the defensive backfield. In a perfect world Palmer gets in, Forrester moves over to CB, and UW picks up a couple of JC's.

Safety (3-4)

UW doesn't have a commitment yet from a safety per se, but they do have commitments from Nate Williams, Brandon Yakaboski, and Quinton Richardson who could all end up back there. Dion Bland from the Central Valley is the top guy on the Washington board so far. You can also count Palmer as a potential recruit since he hasn't made it in yet. Since UW showed Hemphill the door, you would think they must be pretty sure about Palmer. Don't be surprised if UW picks up a JC here. Tim Mixon is a JC name that has been thrown around but he would be a very late qualifier which means UW probably isn't interested.

Cornerback (3)

With only one starter with experience coming back, if Forrester ends up at Safety, you would think Washington would be combing the JC ranks for a guy that could play right away. McDowell from Rainier Beach is the lone signee at this point. UW is in on a couple of top California kids and you would think that the prospect of early playing time would appeal to a HS recruit. the Dawg's could really use a JC kid here who can come in and push for starting time and be able to return some kicks. Word is UW is currently in on one and is checking to see if he can get in mid year.

What do they need to do?

If there is one area of the team that needs some JC help it would be corner, and safety. UW needs a couple of guys that can come in and play right away. While Ty won't sign more than a handful of JC's this year expect him to sign a couple here if they can get in mid year. Ashley Palmer getting in would be a huge plus too!

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