14 for ’14: Names to know on offense 
September, 11, 2012
9/11/12
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Watching third-ranked LSU maul Washington over the weekend emphasized that to compete against the nation’s best, it takes both talent and depth.
Since Steve Sarkisian took over as the Huskies' coach, he has worked to address both areas. He has tackled the talent gap by bringing in top-25 recruiting classes.
Moving forward, the Huskies are trying to continue bringing in blue-chippers, while ensuring they stock the stables with enough players to prepare the program for any scenario.
Since Steve Sarkisian took over as the Huskies' coach, he has worked to address both areas. He has tackled the talent gap by bringing in top-25 recruiting classes.
Moving forward, the Huskies are trying to continue bringing in blue-chippers, while ensuring they stock the stables with enough players to prepare the program for any scenario.
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Shaqquan Aaron transfers to Seattle HS
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
1:55
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Mike Bethea knows basketball talent.
The coach at Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach has worked with NBA players Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Terrence Williams, to name a few.
When Bethea first had a chance to watch Shaqquan Aaron during a recent open gym, only one word came to mind -- “Wow.”
The coach at Seattle (Wash.) Rainier Beach has worked with NBA players Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Terrence Williams, to name a few.
When Bethea first had a chance to watch Shaqquan Aaron during a recent open gym, only one word came to mind -- “Wow.”
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Two weeks into the 2012 season, Washington is still looking to find its flow on offense.
After scoring 14 points in the first quarter of a 21-12 win over San Diego State in Week 1, the offense has been kept out of the end zone for seven straight quarters.
With Portland State coming to CenturyLink Field this week, the Huskies have an opportunity to figure a few things out before No. 21 Stanford comes to town in three weeks.
After scoring 14 points in the first quarter of a 21-12 win over San Diego State in Week 1, the offense has been kept out of the end zone for seven straight quarters.
With Portland State coming to CenturyLink Field this week, the Huskies have an opportunity to figure a few things out before No. 21 Stanford comes to town in three weeks.
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2014 S Bishard Baker focused on winning
September, 10, 2012
9/10/12
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
BOTHELL, Wash. -- Two games into his junior season, the only thing Bishard "Budda" Baker is focused on is winning.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound safety (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue) is expected to be the most highly coveted 2014 prospect in his class to come out of Washington, but he doesn't want to talk recruiting until the Wolverines, ranked No. 6 in the nation, win their fifth straight Class 3A state title.
Baker has been electric so far, making plays in back-to-back wins. During a 35-7 victory over Bothell (Wash.) on Friday, Baker scored a 39-yard touchdown on a night that ended early. Baker talked about his season, and success, in this video interview.
Loss can't sway Caleb Tucker from UW
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Somewhere in a sea of more than 92,000 people at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., Caleb Tucker sat next to one of his friends, who turned to him and said, “Can you believe you’re going to be a part of this next year?”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish), who committed to Washington in June, looked around Saturday night and replied, “It’s going to be crazy.”
While the Huskies failed to find success in a 41-3 loss to No. 3 LSU, it didn’t dampen Tucker’s enthusiasm about his verbal commitment.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish), who committed to Washington in June, looked around Saturday night and replied, “It’s going to be crazy.”
While the Huskies failed to find success in a 41-3 loss to No. 3 LSU, it didn’t dampen Tucker’s enthusiasm about his verbal commitment.
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Recapping the weekend's prime-time performances from Washington's 2013 recruiting class:
Damore’ea Stringfellow (Moreno Valley, Calif./Rancho Verde): Stringfellow is having a huge senior season through three games. The four-star receiver had eight catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Mustangs to a 28-24 victory over Temecula (Calif.) Great Oak.
Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom): If Daniels has shown one thing this season, it is his knack for scoring touchdowns. After finding the end zone twice during the Falcons’ 31-21 loss to Elk Grove (Calif.) Franklin -- he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 27 yards four a touchdown -- the receiver has eight touchdowns through three games.
Damore’ea Stringfellow (Moreno Valley, Calif./Rancho Verde): Stringfellow is having a huge senior season through three games. The four-star receiver had eight catches for 198 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Mustangs to a 28-24 victory over Temecula (Calif.) Great Oak.
Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom): If Daniels has shown one thing this season, it is his knack for scoring touchdowns. After finding the end zone twice during the Falcons’ 31-21 loss to Elk Grove (Calif.) Franklin -- he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 27 yards four a touchdown -- the receiver has eight touchdowns through three games.
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DL Freeman aims to grow for coaches
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
BOTHELL, Wash. -- After watching film, college coaches wanted to take a closer look at Bellevue (Wash.) nose guard Darien Freeman.
When they got a chance to see the senior in person, though, they pointed to the one thing Freeman can't control -- his height.
“My parents are short,” said Freeman, who is 5-foot-11. “I’m short. I’ve just got to deal with it.”
When they got a chance to see the senior in person, though, they pointed to the one thing Freeman can't control -- his height.
“My parents are short,” said Freeman, who is 5-foot-11. “I’m short. I’ve just got to deal with it.”
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Watch: College Football Final (Week 2)
September, 9, 2012
9/09/12
7:34
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com College Football team deliver the highlights, analysis, and interviews from an exciting Week 2 of College Football.
Instant analysis: LSU 41, Washington 3
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
8:13
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By
David Helman | ESPN.com
No. 3 LSU's home date with Washington was one of the biggest nonconference games on the docket for Week 2 of the 2012 season. Unfortunately for football lovers it didn't live up to that billing, as the Tigers steamrolled the Huskies in a 41-3 white-washing. Here's the quick gist from Baton Rouge, La.
It was over when: LSU running back Kenny Hilliard dove into the end zone early in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 27-3 lead. The score gave LSU a lopsided scoreline to go along with what was an absolutely dominating box score. The Tigers outgained Washington 437 yards to 183 and limited the Huskies to a startling 26 yards rushing. Red zone woes forced the Tigers to settle for two field goals in the second quarter, holding them to a modest 20-3 lead at halftime. Hilliard's touchdown broke that open.
Game ball goes to: Alfred Blue continued his strong start to the season with a 101 yards on just 14 carries. On LSU's second possession of the night, he coasted untouched through the Washington defense for a 21-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead that the Tigers would not surrender. It was Blue's second straight 100-yard game, making him the first LSU back to open the season with two 100-yard games since Charles Scott in 2008.
Injury bug: Washington had already lost starting right tackle Ben Riva and starting running back Jesse Callier in the season opener. Those injury woes continued early on Saturday night when the Huskies lost another offensive tackle, Erik Kohler, to a re-aggravated knee injury. The Huskies' ability to protect quarterback Keith Price was already an issue, and the loss of Kohler only exacerbated that. Price was on the run for his life all night and finished with just 157 yards and an interception.
Dropping the ball: LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger had a solid night in his second outing. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. That said, the Tigers' receivers did him no favors by dropping five passes on the night. LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had an especially forgettable night, as he dropped several passes in addition to fumbling away the kickoff that led to Washington's lone field goal.
What it means: Not much we didn't already know. The Tigers took care of business with a 38-point win despite some sloppy mistakes, but this was never supposed to be a major test on the schedule. The Huskies look like they'll go as far as their quarterback can carry them this season -- but that won't be far if they can't find a running game to keep defenses honest and off Price's back.
Washington traveled to SEC country Saturday, looking to upset third-ranked LSU at Tiger Stadium. But, despite forcing a turnover on the opening kickoff, the Huskies haven’t generated much momentum against a program looking to extend an 18-game home winning streak.
Stat of the half: The Huskies were out-gained by 161 yards in the first half, after being held to 70 yards on offense, while surrendering 231 yards to LSU.
Player of the half: Tre Watson. The former walk-on continues to be a valuable asset on the Huskies’ defense. He broke up a pair of first-half passes and totaled three tackles.
What’s working for Washington: Little has gone right for the Huskies so far, but kicker Travis Coons seems to be healthy -- he had been dealing with a leg issue -- booting both kickoffs into the end zone and hitting a 34-yard field goal.
What’s not working for Washington: The offense. Dealing with drops and a non-existent ground game, the Huskies were unable to get much going early. Washington was limited to five first downs and negative-11 rushing yards.
Turning point: Taz Stevenson forced a fumble on the opening kickoff that was recovered by Thomas Tutogi to give Washington some early momentum. However, LSU forced the Huskies to settle for a field goal, so that momentum was short-lived.
Stat of the half: The Huskies were out-gained by 161 yards in the first half, after being held to 70 yards on offense, while surrendering 231 yards to LSU.
Player of the half: Tre Watson. The former walk-on continues to be a valuable asset on the Huskies’ defense. He broke up a pair of first-half passes and totaled three tackles.
What’s working for Washington: Little has gone right for the Huskies so far, but kicker Travis Coons seems to be healthy -- he had been dealing with a leg issue -- booting both kickoffs into the end zone and hitting a 34-yard field goal.
What’s not working for Washington: The offense. Dealing with drops and a non-existent ground game, the Huskies were unable to get much going early. Washington was limited to five first downs and negative-11 rushing yards.
Turning point: Taz Stevenson forced a fumble on the opening kickoff that was recovered by Thomas Tutogi to give Washington some early momentum. However, LSU forced the Huskies to settle for a field goal, so that momentum was short-lived.
Getty ImagesEric Reid and LSU expect to have their hands full against UW quarterback Keith Price.GameDay Wired: Steve Sarkisian
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
9:24
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By HuskyNation staff | ESPN.com
Conditioning key for OL Skyler Phillips
September, 7, 2012
9/07/12
11:37
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By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Skyler Phillips didn’t realize how tiring it would be to start on both sides of the ball.
Working at right guard and nose guard for the Lancers, the 6-foot-3, 338-pound lineman (Eugene, Ore./Churchill) has pushed himself on every play.
“I really underestimated how starting both ways was going to affect me physically,” Phillips said. “I didn’t realize it was going to be as tiring as it is. That’s definitely something I’m going to need to work on this season.”
Working at right guard and nose guard for the Lancers, the 6-foot-3, 338-pound lineman (Eugene, Ore./Churchill) has pushed himself on every play.
“I really underestimated how starting both ways was going to affect me physically,” Phillips said. “I didn’t realize it was going to be as tiring as it is. That’s definitely something I’m going to need to work on this season.”
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Broncos score RB Aaron Baltazar
September, 7, 2012
9/07/12
8:48
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By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Four-star running back Aaron Baltazar (Chula Vista, Calif./Eastlake), who originally committed to Washington, is now set to play for Boise State, multiple sources report.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Baltazar wants to study kinesiology, a program not offered at Washington. He also told the Union-Tribune, "I didn't feel wanted (at Washington). When I went up to Boise, I was like a rock star there."
Cincinnati, San Diego State and UCLA were the other schools to offer the 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect. California, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford and Utah showed early interest.
According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Baltazar wants to study kinesiology, a program not offered at Washington. He also told the Union-Tribune, "I didn't feel wanted (at Washington). When I went up to Boise, I was like a rock star there."
Cincinnati, San Diego State and UCLA were the other schools to offer the 5-foot-11, 185-pound prospect. California, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford and Utah showed early interest.
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A live Bengal tiger? At practice? Really?
It was an interesting week at Washington, as the program prepared to play third-ranked LSU. Coach Steve Sarkisian pulled out all the stops to prepare his team, including a surprise visit from Sheena, a 300-pound Bengal tiger.
The Huskies head on the road this week to the hostile confines of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., facing a loud crowd and tough team.
It was an interesting week at Washington, as the program prepared to play third-ranked LSU. Coach Steve Sarkisian pulled out all the stops to prepare his team, including a surprise visit from Sheena, a 300-pound Bengal tiger.
The Huskies head on the road this week to the hostile confines of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., facing a loud crowd and tough team.
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ABOUT HUSKY NATION
Mason Kelley
Mason Kelley joined ESPN.com in 2012 and covers Washington recruiting. Kelley came to ESPN after spending three years as the high school sports coordinator at The Seattle Times. He has written about high school, college and professional sports since 2004, working for newspapers in Florida, California, Idaho and Washington. He currently lives in Seattle and can be reached at masonkelleyESPN@gmail.com.