By Todd Milles
The News Tribune
SEATTLE — In only two days of University of Washington preseason football camp, one thing is apparent.
True freshman Salvon Ahmed looks the part.
Much like in his debut Monday, Ahmed was lining up all over the field in live work for the Huskies, who intend to find out quickly what he can do with the ball — in the backfield and out on the perimeter.
“Obviously, as a staff, we are really happy with what we’ve seen so far,” said UW running backs coach Keith Bhonapha. “He just has to keep working.”
With co-starters Myles Gaskin and Lavon Coleman returning at tailback, finding playing time might be a challenge for any of the younger guys on the depth chart.
Sean McGrew and Kamari Pleasant are next in line for action, and play more of the traditional running back role.
Ahmed is different. He can line up as a wide receiver and run efficient routes, as well as being a threat on the fly sweep with his speed — much like Chico McClatcher.
“He has been coming to me and asking questions, and I’ve been helping him out with all the routes and recognizing coverages,” McClatcher said. “I like where his mind is right now.”
Bhonapha recalls first watching film of Ahmed in 2014 from his ninth grade year at Juanita High School.
And he kept pressing the rewind button, just to see if he was comprehending what he was viewing.
“Everybody was like, ‘Are you sure you want to offer this guy?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I am 100 percent sure,’ ” Bhonapha said.
In his final two seasons at Juantia, the 5-foot-11, 189-pound speedster rushed for 3,100 yards and 42 touchdowns. He was a News Tribune “Northwest Nuggets” and “Western 100” recruiting selection.
One thing that Ahmed has in his favor at UW is that coach Chris Petersen and his staff have shown they are not afraid of playing true freshmen.
“The thing that is most impressive about him is how football smart he is, how he picks things up, that he’s not afraid of coaching, and not afraid of asking questions,” Bhonapha said. “For a young guy, if he can keep that up over the next three or four years, he has a bright future.”
Extra points
On a blustery afternoon, offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith said he was pleased with how top three quarterbacks — starter Jake Browning, and backups K.J. Carta-Samuels and Daniel Bridge-Gadd — threw the football. Browning was certainly clicking with McClatcher and sophomore Andrew Baccellia in the first-team offense. … Jarryn Bush is an invited walk-on, and has a new jersey number — No. 93. Bush, a defensive lineman, even made an interception Tuesday on a tipped ball.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
