Washington Huskies

SEATTLE -- When recruits make the decision to enroll early, they face a tough task.

They make a quick transition from high school to college. They trade weightlifting sessions with high school teammates for training time with players who have spent years in the system.

They go from living at home to taking care of themselves. And then, right when they start to develop a routine, spring practice starts.

“For the guys that enroll early, they don’t get that summer to get acclimated with the campus and college life and used to living on their own,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said. “They jump on campus and, bang, they’re plopped right into classes with every other kid on campus. They’re going to workouts with our veterans right off the start. And then they get thrown into spring practice.”

This is the challenge Washington freshmen Troy Williams and Trevor Walker face this week.

The four-star quarterback out of Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne and the three-star safety from Arlington (Texas) Mansfield Timberview started their college careers in January when they enrolled at the university. Now, after two months in Seattle, the two prospects are practicing with the Huskies.

When asked about what the freshmen face this week, Sarkisian said the biggest challenge is finding a way to keep from getting too “wide-eyed.”

“For Troy and Trevor, I would just like to see them stay composed, keep their competitive nature and not be too hard on themselves,” Sarkisian said. “They’re going to have some ups and downs in the spring. That’s all part of it.”

Williams and Walker didn’t enroll early to stand on the sidelines and watch. The recruits want to find ways to contribute early in their careers.

As a safety, Walker fills a position of need for the Huskies and will get a chance to earn a spot to play in his first season.

“He’s a natural guy who is going to have some opportunities,” Sarkisian said. “That’s why he chose to come here, for the opportunities at that position.”

Williams will be thrust directly into a quarterback competition, one of several players who will get the chance to push senior Keith Price.

The goal is for the competition in the spring and fall to get Price to the point where he can regain his sophomore form. But Williams will get his share of snaps in spring practice and fall camp.

Back in 2010, running backs Deontae Cooper and Jesse Callier enrolled early. Then in 2011, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins decided to get a head start on his college career. After watching those players go through the experience, Sarkisian said he wants to see the freshmen maintain their composure through the good and bad.

“They’re going to have some really flashy, high-flying plays that we’re all going to want to talk about and then they’re going to have some rough days where they aren’t at their best,” Sarkisian said.

“That’s all part of the process.”

SEATTLE -- After an eventful three weeks of fall camp, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said the “volume gets turned up” this week as the Huskies prepare for the season opener against San Diego State.

“I thought the guys brought a real sense of energy and enthusiasm, a little bit of an edge to practice today,” Sarkisian said Monday during his weekly news conference.

Whether it was injuries or position changes, Sarkisian said the adversity has shaped the team that will take the field at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CenturyLink Field.

“We got dealt our fair share of things early on, obviously, from some injuries to guys moving around to some different positions, but the end result, I believe we’re better for it and excited to go play,” Sarkisian said.

Callier, Sankey to split reps: Jesse Callier said his father always told him it’s best to “come from the bottom.”

With Chris Polk in the NFL, Callier gets his chance to force his way into the spotlight as a junior.

“Come from the bottom and no one is expecting you and, next thing you know, you’re on them,” Callier said.

Callier is listed at the top of the depth chart with sophomore Bishop Sankey. Both backs will get carries. Both backs will get a chance to prove they can play.

“I think we’ve got a good plan in place for both those kids to, hopefully, put them in position to do what they do to be successful,” Sarkisian said. “We’ll get a better feel for them as the game goes on.”

Sophomore captain John Timu: Only a sophomore, linebacker John Timu was named one of the Huskies' three defensive captains over the weekend.

When asked about the decision, Sarkisian praised Timu’s maturity.

“He’s a really mature guy,” Sarkisian said. “Sometimes he doesn’t show as much emotion as maybe we would all like, but that calming effect that he has, I think, is why he has been able to persevere so much in his own personal life with some of the injuries and things.

“There’s some natural leadership that comes out of him that guys really recognize. I think it speaks volumes to the maturity that he possesses.”

Injury report: No new injuries were reported Monday.

Steve Sarkisian listed Hau’oli Jamora, Deontae Cooper, Nate Fellner, James Johnson, Jamaal Kearse and Cooper Pelluer as the six players out for Saturday’s season opener.

Pelluer and Cooper are already dealing with season-ending injuries. Cooper (knee) and Jamora (knee) will have surgery on their respective injuries Thursday.

Quotable: When asked about his goals for the Huskies in 2012, quarterback Keith Price said, “We’re trying to win the Pac-12; that’s our goal. Obviously we’ve got to earn respect and we have to win games.”

Other notes

 

• Washington released its depth chart Monday and Derrick Brown and Cyler Miles were both listed as backup quarterbacks. “I wanted them to keep battling, keep competing,” Sarkisian said.
• Walk-on Tre Watson won the starting cornerback spot opposite Desmond Trufant. “It’s hard to deny a guy who keeps making plays,” Sarkisian said.
• Erik Kohler is listed as the starting right guard. After suffering a knee injury on the first day of camp, Kohler has now worked his way back to a point where he can rejoin the first unit.
• Sarkisian said at least five freshmen will play this season -- punter Korey Durkee, safety Shaq Thompson, receiver Jaydon Mickens, receiver Kendyl Taylor and defensive end Pio Vatuvei. As far as the rest of the class, “time will tell,” Sarkisian said.

SEATTLE -- It has taken the better part of four years, but Washington coach Steve Sarkisian feels like his program finally has flexibility on the offensive line.

With offensive lineman Erik Kohler working his way back into the lineup after suffering a knee injury on the first day of fall camp, Sarkisian has the interchangeable parts he has been looking for since he became the Huskies’ head coach.

“This is where you’re supposed to be and it just took us a little while to get here,” Sarkisian said.

After returning to practice Monday, Kohler went through both practices Tuesday, spending some time at center.

While Kohler recovered from the injury, Micah Hatchie and Ben Riva worked as the starting tackles, while Colin Tanigawa and James Atoe were the guards. Drew Schaefer is the starting center.

Kohler, who was recruited to Washington as a tackle and has spent time at guard, can play any spot along the line, giving the Huskies options. Sarkisian said he would have up to an eight-man rotation on the offensive line early in the season.

“I feel like our offensive line has had a nice training camp up to this point and, now with more healthy bodies, the expectations should only become greater,” Sarkisian said. “I think we’ll perform even greater with the lack of fatigue.”

With redshirt freshman Dexter Charles also having a strong camp, the Huskies the kind of depth that allows them to look at redshirting more freshmen.

Injury report

The Huskies continue to get good news with linebacker Travis Feeney returning to practice Tuesday, although he is still limited to the non-contact yellow jersey.

Linebacker Thomas Tutogi is also back practicing, adding more depth to a position that had been hit hard by injuries.

“It feels like another day we’re getting another guy back,” Sarkisian said. “As bad as it was early in camp, we’re doing pretty good right now.”

• Sarkisian said defensive end Hau’oli Jamora and running back Deontae Cooper should both undergo surgery on their knee injuries this week.

• Washington will play Montana at Husky Stadium in 2017, the university confirmed Tuesday.

It was the very first open gym of Katie Collier's college career. The forward was on the floor with fellow Washington freshman Heather Corral and a few players from the program’s past.

The scrimmage was supposed to be a simple step forward in her transition from McDonald’s All-American to college freshman. It was part of the process of moving beyond a senior season spent battling post players and chemotherapy.

After playing her senior season while overcoming acute promyelocytic leukemia, Collier was ready to have her life back. She was ready to focus on basketball, not her health.

But 15 minutes into that first scrimmage, she felt the pop that sent her back to the sideline.

Collier caught the ball in the paint. She faked one way, then turned the other. She planted her right leg. It locked. When she heard the pop, she fell down.

“I was just hoping and praying it wasn’t my ACL,” Collier said. “It ended up being my ACL, MCL and meniscus.”

(Read full post)

SEATTLE -- Deontae Cooper walked over to face the media for the first time since suffering his third ACL injury early in fall camp.

He was still smiling. His message was simple.

“Don’t sleep on me,” he said.

The 6-foot, 201-pound sophomore admitted a few tears welled in his eyes when he first heard the news that, after back-to-back left-knee injuries ended his 2010 and ’11 seasons, he had suffered a third, this one to his right knee during a non-contact drill.

But any self-pity was fleeting.

“I’ll be all right,” he said.

Cooper said he suffered the injury when he planted his right leg while making a cut on Monday. He thought he hurt his calf. After two knee injuries, he didn’t think much of a sore calf. As time went on, though, the pain shifted to his knee. An MRI revealed the tear.

Even after everything he has been through and the surgery and rehab that awaits, Cooper is already planning his return.

“I’m going to be fine,” Cooper said. “I’m going to rehab hard, like I did the other two, and I’m going to be right. I’m going to be physically in shape and ready to go next year.”

There is no doubt in his mind he will return to the field. It is still hard, but he is still smiling.

“As soon as I get this surgery, I’m going to be ready to go, ready to train and get right,” Cooper said.

“It’s unfortunate luck. I can’t be unlucky forever. I’m going to catch a break sooner or later.”

SEATTLE -- Here is a quick-hitting look at Washington’s fourth day of fall camp.

Cooper still smiling

One day after learning he had suffered a third season-ending ACL injury, running back Deontae Cooper was back on the field with his teammates.

His season was over before it had a chance to get started for the third year in a row – but he was still smiling.

“He’s just an absolute stud,” Sarkisian said. “He was, obviously, shook up, like anyone would be, but you just see that guy’s will inside, why he’s so unique and special and why people love him so much – he’s back out here today with a smile on his face.”

When Cooper saw Sarkisian, he had a simple message.

“Coach, I’ll be back,” he said.

When Sarkisian first heard the news, his reaction was, “How could it happen again?” He broke the news to his team after Wednesday’s practice, setting a somber tone to the Huskies’ post-practice meeting.

“It was hard as a team, because you get attached to people as a program and as a family,” said Sarkisian, who added this is the first time he’s seen three ACL injuries to one player. “You see a guy with Deontae, the work ethic that he has, his ability to persevere, not only through one ACL, but he comes all the way back and then another. He had himself in great shape, ready to go. It’s extremely difficult.”

If there is a player capable of returning from a third ACL injury, Sarkisian is confident it is Cooper.

“I don’t know if there’s anybody that will handle it better than Deontae will,” Sarkisian said.

With Cooper looking on, the Huskies went back to work Thursday.

“We’re here to work,” running backs coach Joel Thomas said. “There’s no doubt about it. The thing that we do all realize is that injuries are part of the game. It’s a brotherhood that we have through the group. We talk about taking care of him and making sure we’re there for him, but they’re here to work. They got better today.”

Recruiting update

Washington commit Daeshon Hall spent the afternoon at practice. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound defensive end was one of seven players to give Washington verbal commitments on June 29.

He spent his first two seasons at Seattle (Wash.) Garfield before transferring to Lancaster (Texas) as a junior.

Injury issues

Sarkisian called them “fluke” injuries.

Through four days of practice the Huskies have suffered several injuries during drills with very little contact.

Receiver James Johnson sprained his foot. Defensive end Hau'oli Jamora sprained his knee. Linebacker Nate Fellner suffered a foot injury.

“Some stuff is obvious, when you see the big collision or a guy getting pulled down in an awkward way,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve just had some bad luck. The good thing is, I think we’ve finally got a roster with the depth where we can withstand some of these injuries.”

Jamora will have an arthroscopic procedure as a precaution. He is expected to miss about two weeks.

“I would rather him miss two weeks now than down the road it affect him for the season,” Sarkisian said.

Walk-on cornerback making plays

Tre Watson keeps making plays.

The 5-foot-9, 183-pound walk-on junior corner back has been impressive throughout the first week of fall camp.

“He’s a scrappy guy,” Sarkisian said. “He’s got a very high football IQ. He has a knack for understanding where the ball is going to go. Even when a guy is catching the ball, he has a unique understanding of where the ball is going to go to the tuck and he gets in there and finds a way to punch it out.”

No more “dumb penalties”

For the second day in a row, Sarkisian was forced to send a message about “dumb penalties.”

After some extra pushing and shoving between running back Willis Wilson and corner back Desmond Trufant at the end of a play, safety Sean Parker knocked Wilson down.

It happened out of bounds, well after the play was over.

“What bothered me about Sean’s deal today, that was a huge point of emphasis after yesterday’s practice and last night’s meeting,” Sarkisian said. “To come out today, his emotions got the better of him. That’s not OK. That’s a selfish move.”

When Washington running back Deontae Cooper met with the media Monday, he was thrilled to be back on the field.

“I’m just ready to strap ’em on and go, ready to grind till the doctor tells me I can’t play,” Cooper said. “If I tear my ACL five more times, I’m going to keep going.”

After missing back-to-back seasons due to ACL injuries to his left knee, he was ready to move beyond the injuries and restart his career. However, he suffered a third setback Wednesday, tearing his right ACL during a non-contact drill.

Here is a statement from Washington coach Steve Sarkisian that was posted on CoachSark.com:

“I am saddened and dismayed to report that Deontae Cooper has torn the ACL in his right knee while participating in a non-contact drill during practice. Deontae has done everything we have asked of him, and has been an example to his teammates with his hard work in the classroom, and the dedication he showed in returning from two previous ACL surgeries in his left knee. Our football program will do everything we can to support him in this tough time.”

SEATTLE -- When Deontae Cooper took the field for Washington’s first practice Monday afternoon, he looked around at his teammates. The 6-foot, 201-pound running back took a long look at framework of Husky Stadium being built in the background. He couldn’t help but look at all of the purple and white jersey, the gold helmets.

After back-to-back knee injuries ended his first two college football seasons before he could play a game, Cooper was back on the field as the Huskies opened fall camp. He took the time to enjoy the moment.

“I’m just ready to strap ’em on and go, ready to grind till the doctor tells me I can’t play,” Cooper said. “If I tear my ACL five more times, I’m going to keep going.”

As a highly touted freshman out of Perris (Calif.) Citrus Hill in 2010, Cooper’s first injury happened during a practice early in camp. As he worked to prepare himself for the 2011 season, he pushed himself too hard and suffered a second injury before the season started.

“We’re kind of in uncharted waters with Deontae at this point,” Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said. “He’s going to get in. We’re going to monitor him closely, but I think it’s important, not only physically, but from a mental standpoint, from a psyche standpoint, he gets into the flow of it.”

Cooper said he feels fine physically, but he now needs to regain his feel for the game after missing two full seasons. While he works his way back, teammates Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey will compete to fill the void left by Chris Polk, who rushed for 4,049 yards at Washington, finishing No. 2 on the school’s career rushing list behind Napoleon Kaufman.

“I’m just going out there each day, trying to get better at what I do, perfecting my craft,” said Sankey, who rushed for 187 yards and a touchdown as a freshman. “I’m just trying to be the best all-around player I can be to help the team out and get done what we need to get done this season.”

Sankey said Polk took the time to teach him about patience and technique in 2011, which helped prepare him for the larger role he stepped into during spring practices.

While it remains unclear who will get the bulk of the carries as Polk’s replacement, Cooper is confident the competition will make Washington's running backs better.

“You want to compete against the best,” he said. “Chris set a standard here. We’re going to try to build off that. It’s going to be a great competition. I’m looking forward to it.”

On day one, Cooper was just happy to be healthy. Now he plans to figure out where he fits among the running backs on Washington’s roster.

“He’s running around,” Huskies quarterback Keith Price said. “He’s looking good. I can’t wait. I can’t wait until we get in pads and he can really show what he’s got.”