With their roster stocked with NFL prospects and different skilled veterans, the UW Huskies had no use for contributions from their true freshmen throughout the 2023 soccer season.
A glance again on the UW Huskies' NFL mix 13 invitees
Former coach Kalen DeBoer signed a 2023 recruiting class that ranked twenty sixth nationally and included eight blue-chip prospects, however solely three of the category' 21 signees performed sufficient final season to bypass redshirt standing jerseys: operating again Tybo Rogers, offensive lineman Landen Hatchett and edge rusher Jacob Lane.
Whereas DeBoer's departure to Alabama prompted many UW gamers to enter the switch portal, the Huskies misplaced solely two from their 2023 class: quarterback Austin Mack, who joined DeBoer at Alabama, and receiver Taeshaun Lyons, who entered the portal earlier than DeBoer's departure and landed in Utah.
Who among the many returning gamers in 2023 has an opportunity to contribute beneath first-year coach Jedd Fisch after redshirting? Along with Rogers, Hatchett and Lane, listed below are 5 to remember.
• OL Zachary Henning
The previous three-star inside O-line prospect from Aurora (Colo.) Grandview wasn't too far off the sphere final season, showing in two video games and simply an harm or two away from seeing much more motion. The coaches have been excessive on Henning's potential throughout his first spring practices when he enrolled early, and with UW's O-line depth decimated by transfers, Henning may have each probability to show himself to the brand new teaching workers this spring. Even when UW provides three or 4 extra veteran linemen between now and September, Henning ought to have some position for the Huskies in 2024.
• LB Deven Bryant
The 5-foot-11, 216-pound linebacker from Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco might need burned his redshirt final season if the Huskies weren't so deep at his place. He’ll return a lot of that have in 2024, so it received't be simple for Bryant to interrupt the No. 2 mark this 12 months both. However he impressed the earlier teaching workers sufficient to look in 4 video games and may at the least contribute on particular groups this 12 months.
• CB Leroy Bryant
Leroy Bryant is in an analogous scenario to Deven Bryant (no relation) as he’s a promising younger participant at a place nonetheless stocked with veteran expertise. Leroy appeared in seven video games final season, totally on particular groups — 4 within the common season after which three within the postseason, which doesn’t rely in opposition to the redshirt restrict. In 2024, he ought to solely improve his position at this stage of the sport and compete with a handful of different younger defensemen for a spot on the depth chart.
• WR Rashid Williams
Williams, from Pittsburg (Calif.) Excessive, was one in every of two blue-chip recruits within the class (the opposite being Lyons). He solely performed in a single redshirt sport, in opposition to California, however caught two passes for 30 yards. With UW's high 4 receivers shifting on, the Huskies will want a younger participant or two to step up and be a part of the rotation. There's no motive it will possibly't be Williams, who at present has simply three extra skilled scholarship gamers forward of him within the receiving room: seniors Jeremiah Hunter and Giles Jackson and third-year sophomore Denzel Boston. The identical goes for redshirt freshman Keith Reynolds. Fisch might all the time exit and get one other playmaker on the switch window, however proper now Williams ought to like his probability to contribute.
OL Elishah Jackett
Admittedly, that is extra of a wild card, because the tall, lanky sort out should must bulk as much as compete within the Huge Ten (the 2023 roster listed him at 6-foot-7 and 259 kilos). However Jackett was a blue-chip prospect for a motive, and his athleticism at the least makes him an intriguing choice because the Huskies proceed to deal with the O-line scenario. Assuming full well being, the Orange (Calif.) El Modena product ought to get an extended look this spring.
This column by UW Huskies soccer insider Christian Caple is unique to Seattle Sports activities. Subscribe to OnMontlake.com for full entry to Caple Husky's in-depth protection.
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