OFFENSE: Raising The Bar

BY BOB SHERWIN - CONTRIBUTING WRITER

They are the so-called ‘skilled players’ on a football team, ones who capture the fans’ fascination with the way they throw, carry or catch the football. Yet for any offense to be competently measured, it is not necessarily based on the quotient of ones who slash and flash but also on those who smash and mash.

Without the rigidity and resolve of experienced offensive linemen to open holes, block threats and impose their will, the skills of the clever ball-handlers would be suppressed. That is why, for the Washington Huskies football team this upcoming season, Dec. 28 was such a momentous day. That was the date when Jaxson Kirkland, the team’s 6-foot-7, 315-pound left tackle anchor and potential NFL first-round draft choice, announced that he was returning to the school for a fifth season.

Kirkland, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, wrote then on social media: ‘Got some unfinished business with my brothers…I’m coming back for another year Husky Nation!!! #Go Dawgs.’ His band of brothers include center Luke Wattenberg, who previously announced he was coming back for a sixth season, along with redshirt sophomore left guard Ulumoo ‘M.J.’ Ale, redshirt junior right guard Henry Bainivalu and redshirt sophomore right tackle Victor Curne. Veteran ruffians all.

“We have guys who have a lot of experience,’’ second-year offensive coordinator John Donovan said. “You do somewhat know what you’re getting with those guys. Guys who have been productive, good leaders, good people, good players. To have those guys come back, it’s definitely something you get fired up about.’’ According to various preseason publications, UW’s O-line is among the five best in the nation. Kirkland and Bainivalu are on the Outland Trophy (top collegiate lineman) watch list while Wattenberg is a candidate for the Rimington Trophy (top collegiate center).

“We have so much talent on our roster, so many great players, up and down the board, talent everywhere at each position. Depth is great, too,’’ Kirkland said. “I think great things are in store for this team.’’ Kirkland, son of three-year UW starter Dean Kirkland (1988-90), is the critical element on the line. He made the switch to the all-important protective left tackle spot last season and yielded just one sack. The line yielded just 0.25 sacks per game, second nationally.

Kirkland, who calls himself a ‘late bloomer,’’ was largely undervalued in terms of post-season honors his first two seasons at right guard. He said last season’s move to left tackle “fueled me,’’ making him determined “to make this team the best and myself the best. I hopped in the weight room and did it damn near every day — because I wanted to be great."

A measure of his greatness will come in the Huskies second game, Sept. 11 at Ann Arbor. He will be matched across the line from Michigan’s Aiden Hutchinson, one of the top defensive ends in the country. Further, Kirkland’s announcement was not the only impactful development on Dec. 28. Later in the day, tight end Cade Otton announced he also was returning for a fifth season with the Huskies.

“Jaxson and I talked a lot before, weighing our decisions,’’ said Otton, a first-team All-Pac-12 selection last season. “We came to the same conclusion. If we come back and have a great offseason, do things the way we want to do, work hard, execute, and focus on details, we could have a special season this year. That was a great reason to come back. “I think we have great potential to do big things this year,’’ he added, “and I wanted to be part of it.’’

Otton, the team’s 2020 Offensive MVP and a candidate for the John Mackey (top collegiate tight end) Award, is one who can both slash and smash. He led the team in receptions (13), yards (258) and scored three touchdowns in the four games. He’s also valued as a highly effective blocker, adding to what will be the most tenacious front six in the conference.

“We had a few players that had a chance to go on to the National Football League,’’ UW Head Coach Jimmy Lake said, “but they decided to come back and wear that gold Washington helmet one more time to end it the right way.’’

Otton is the latest in a chain of versatile tight ends (Mark Bruner, Jeremy Stevens, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Will Dissly and Drew Sample) developed by UW, which demands much from the position. The next TE wave on this year’s roster includes sophomores Devin Culp, Jack Westover and Quentin Moore. There’s also an array of freshman candidates such as Mark Redman, Mason West, Javon Forward, Zeke Pelluer, Carson Smith, Caden Jumper, Wilson Schwartz and Griffin Waiss.

No one will benefit more from this fortified and experienced forward wall than redshirt sophomore quarterback Dylan Morris. Morris threw for 897 yards and four touchdowns during UW’s truncated 2020 season.

Donovan, who doubles as the quarterback coach, didn’t know what to expect from Morris in his college debut Nov. 14. They opened with Oregon State, played in a downpour. “Oh my God, you've got to be kidding me,’’ he remembers, “first-year guy who had not played a snap and it’s raining! Let’s see what happens.’’

Morris was steady, throwing for 141 yards on 14-of-24 passing attempts with one rushing touchdown. Most importantly, he hung onto the ball, did not throw an interception and facilitated an effective running game as the Huskies rushed for 297 yards in a 27-21 victory. “He did a good job, handled himself very well,’ Donovan said. “He does not let things he can’t control affect him.’’

Morris, who had a solid spring camp, begins the season as the clear starter. Touted QB newcomer Sam Huard, son of former Husky signal-caller and former radio analyst Damon Huard, is an intriguing candidate. But barring inconsistencies or injuries to Morris, he likely will use this year as his redshirt season. The Huskies have an insurance backup in graduate transfer QB Patrick O’Brien, who began his career at Nebraska then played two seasons for Colorado State. “We’re happy to have him (O’Brien),’’ Donovan said. “He has played a lot. He kind of gets it. He’s good for our team. He’s smart; he throws a good ball. He’s going to play.’’

Two other transfers enhance the UW’s offensive potential where it has the most concern — wide receiver. Giles Jackson comes in from Michigan and Ja’Lynn Polk came through the portal from Texas Tech. They join the team’s most experienced WR in redshirt junior Terrell Bynum, who had eight catches for 130 yards in 2020. Other candidates include Jalen McMillan, Rome Odunze, Taj Davis, Sawyer Racanelli and incoming freshman Jabez Tinae.

The primary ball-carriers will be Sean McGrew, who had 234 yards on 43 attempts and a team-high four touchdowns, and RB Richard Newton, who had 123 yards on 23 carries in three 2020 games. “We have good depth at our skills (positions),’’ Donovan said. “We’ve had a lot of kids who have played and others who haven’t played but we foresee being good.’’

The Huskies’ offense will depend on the development of a young backfield behind a hard-nosed veteran front line. Linemen such as Wattenberg, Kirkland and Otton, who each decided to return to Washington for one more season they all hope will be special, have a combined 92 starts among them.

“We’re working hard as a unit, as an offense and as a team to get better,’’ Otton added. “We had a pretty good year last year, but we know that we want to raise the bar and be a team everyone remembers.’’