Husky camp begins with some key players missing

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 8, 2006

SEATTLE – The University of Washington football team began its fall camp Tuesday missing four players, including two who were expected to compete for playing time, if not a starting spot.

Coach Tyrone Willingham said the players – including three junior college transfers – are all dealing with academic issues and it is unclear when or if they would be available to the team. The four players are offensive lineman Aaron Mason, safety Ashlee Palmer, defensive lineman Anthony Atkins and freshman running back Leilyon Myers.

Willingham said Mason, Palmer and Atkins are simply finishing up work that would make them eligible, while Myers is being held up by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

The news is especially significant for Mason and Palmer, two players being counted on to at least provide depth at spots where it is badly needed. Mason, a 270-pounder, played the last two seasons at Santa Monica Community College and was ranked the 17th-best junior college lineman in the country by Rivals.com. Mason was expected to provide depth at tackle for a line that is replacing four starters.

Palmer, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from Compton Community College, was considered a potential starter at free safety. Palmer committed to both Oregon and Nebraska before signing with Washington. He was a Junior College Athletic Bureau first-team All-American and was ranked No. 33 among JC prospects by JCFootball.com.

Atkins played with Palmer at Compton CC and participated in spring drills. He was rated as the No. 2 junior college linebacker in the country by Scout.com, but will play on the defensive line for the Huskies. Myers, one of two freshmen running backs signed by Washington, played with Palmer at Lynwood (Calif.) High School. Last season, he ran for 818 yards and nine touchdowns.

Where’s Locker?: Willingham surprised the gathered media by hinting that prized quarterback recruit Jake Locker, who led Ferndale High School to the Class 3A state title last season, could be used in a position other than quarterback.

“I’m looking for putting our best players on the field,” Willingham said. “If he identifies himself as one of our best players, then we need to have him on the field. If he’s our best quarterback, he needs to be at quarterback. If he can help us somewhere else and that makes a difference on this football team, I’m quite sure he’ll be delighted to do that, because he’s a winner.”

Locker presumably would be used at safety or as a return man if he were moved from quarterback. But later, Willingham said Locker’s future is at quarterback, and that it is not “realistic” that he would be anywhere but that spot.

“That’s where we see him and I want to make sure he gets all the development time that he needs to,” Willingham said.

Goldson limited: The biggest-name player who is limited due to injury is senior cornerback Dashon Goldson. Goldson, who is making the move from free safety to corner, sprained his ankle a few weeks ago during a jumping drill. He said he should be back to full speed in 1-2 weeks.

“It’s just sore right now,” Goldson said. “It’s not that bad, but I need to rest it so that I’m ready for games. It shouldn’t take too long for me to be ready to go.”

RB spot “bone thin:” Willingham referred to Washington’s running back position as “bone thin.” The position already lost redshirt freshman J.R. Hasty for the year due to grade problems, and Kenny James will miss a couple of weeks with a broken arm. Myers also was expected to compete for time. For now, the healthy players are Louis Rankin, Shelton Sampson and freshman Matt Mosley, who Willingham said will be given a strong look. Willingham also said that fullbacks Mark Palaita and Luke Kravitz could also become part of the running game this season.

“We will manage it and make sure to the best of our abilities that we get it healthy, provide some depth and do some restructuring,” Willingham said.

Kirton to stay put: With the depth problem at running back, there was speculation that former Jackson High star running back Johnie Kirton would be used in short-yardage running situations. But Willingham said that will not happen and Kirton will remain at tight end, where he is behind Michael Gottlieb and Robert Lewis on the depth chart. Last year, Kirton started two games at tight end, making 14 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown in his first year at the position.

Linebacker competition: Two of the three starting linebacker jobs seem to be up for competition. Tahj Bomar apparently has the starting spot at middle linebacker, but Scott White and Dan Howell are competing for one spot, and E.J. Savannah and Chris Stevens will compete for the other.

Mateaki at tackle: Willingham said senior Donny Mateaki, the team’s most experienced defensive lineman, will play defensive tackle and is unlikely to play defensive end. Mateaki has played both spots in the past. Last year, he finished with 21 tackles and three sacks.

Tackle tangle: Willingham said Ben Ossai is set to start at left tackle, but said the backup tackle spots could change throughout camp as coaches will move players around to see where they fit best. Willingham lauded the intelligence of 390-pound redshirt freshman tackle Morgan Rosborough, who Willingham said picked up the offense quickly and is now just trying to get his body in playing shape.

Saturday the big day: After going through its acclimation period, the Huskies will have their first full-pad workout on Saturday.