SEATTLE — Steve Gervais, Washington’s new running backs coach, says that running back is a position where talent and athleticism can overcome inexperience.
Husky fans had better hope he’s right.
Sophomore Brandon Johnson is the only returning tailback with game experience, and he has only 51 carries and 196 yards on his college resume. Beyond that, the Huskies will rely on freshmen and redshirt freshmen at one of the most important and visible positions on the team.
“I think running back is one of those positions in college football that you can be young,” Gervais said. “If you have those natural instincts and great athleticism, speed, you have that ability to be a great player young. It’s a little bit different than the physicalness that linemen have to have. I think we have a couple of people there that, even though they are young, will rise up and complement Jake Locker very well.”
Brandon Yakaboski and Willie Griffin both redshirted last year, and will be in the battle for playing time, but a talented group of freshmen also hope to get in the mix. Chris Polk, who graduated high school early and participated in spring football, has impressed coaches, but it’s still uncertain if he will stay at tailback or move back to slotback, where he spent the spring. The other freshmen are Johri Fogerson, Terrance Dailey and David Freeman.
“I think Chris Polk is doing some very good things at the running back position,” Gervais said when asked about the freshmen. “It’s still a thing where we’re trying to figure out how we’re going to utilize him best, but he’s definitely done some things well there. Both Fogerson and Freeman have shown some really good signs. Terrance Dailey, he’s a little bit behind, but he’s learning also.”
Johnson came into fall camp as the likely starter, but injuries have slowed him and he has not practiced since last Thursday. Even though coaches have said they hope to start establishing a pecking order this week, Johnson isn’t too worried about the time he’s missing.
“Kind of, but I feel like I’m the starter, so I don’t really have to worry about my spot as much,” he said. “I understand that we’re going to rotate, I’m fine with that, but as far my spot being taken, I’m not worried about that.”
Johnson might not be worried, but the young backs behind him are eager to challenge for playing time.
Polk, as long as he is being used as a tailback, seems to have a good shot of earning carries. A running back and receiver in high school, Polk originally committed to USC before later choosing Washington and he has been drawing rave reviews from coaches and teammates about his athleticism.
Asked if he though he could break into the top-two at tailback, should the team use him there, Polk responded, “If I continue to work hard, yeah I can.”
Still, despite everyone’s high hopes, at least a couple of those freshmen are likely to redshirt and be pushed out of the rotation as coaches start to figure out the depth chart.
“I don’t really know how far away (that decision is), that’s for the coaches to decide,” Freeman said. “I just try my best to make that decision easier. But whatever they need me to do I’ll do it, either redshirt or play right away.”
Despite the tense competition, the tailbacks say there is no bitterness amongst the group.
“It’s good camaraderie,” Yakaboski said. “All of the running backs feed off of each other. If someone’s doing good, we all want to see them doing good, because that means we’re winning games. Regardless of who’s playing, as long as they’re productive, then so be it.”
Of note
Another day, another injury: Center Matt Sedillo, the likely starter if Juan Garcia’s foot injury is still an issue when the season starts, didn’t practice Wednesday after suffering a minor concussion Tuesday. Tyrone Willingham said he doesn’t anticipate Sedillo being out long.
Sedillo joins a long list of potential impact players that have suffered or aggravated injuries during fall camp. The others are quarterback Jake Locker (hamstring), tight end Michael Gottlieb (hamstring), cornerback Byron Davenport (ankle) and tailbacks Brandon Yakaboski (hip flexor) and Brandon Johnson (lower leg). Johnson’s injury, it turns out, is a new one and not a lingering knee problem, as it was believed to be.
“This really, I don’t think, has anything to do with his knee,” Gervais said. “It has to do with his lower calf, his leg. I think when he comes back and they get this figured out, he’s going to be fine.”
Johnson said the injury is more to the side of his leg than in his calf, but agreed with Gervais’ assessment that his knee, which underwent a minor surgerical procedure after spring football, is not the problem.
Despite the growing list of injuries, Willingham said this is nothing unusual for this time of year.
“Any injury is a concern, but no, I’m not overly concerned right now,” he said. “These things happen. In football, the next guy’s got to be prepared to step up. I think we’ll be OK come game time.”
A visit from a legend: Former Husky coach Don James was on hand to observe Wednesday morning’s practice, and spend a bit of time afterward talking with Willingham and his staff.
“I’m not sure if the full team knew that he was there,” Willingham said when asked about James’ presence at practice. “Obviously the coaching staff was fully aware of it, and it’s always great to have the legend come back and watch and look at things. You’re always seeking feedback from somebody that’s been that successful. It was great for me to have him out there.”
Willingham declined to comment on what type of feedback James might have given.
Return game shaping up? Special teams/tight ends coach Brian White said sophomore receiver D’Andre Goodwin is the likely candidate to return punts this season, and also indicated that freshmen Jordan Polk and Chris Polk could return kicks.
As for the kicking game, White said that competition is still going strong, and could take another week or more to sort out with Ryan Perkins, Erik Folk and Jared Ballman all battling for kicking duties. Ballman, however, seems to have the punting job locked up.
Another freshman joins the team: Senio Kelemete, a defensive lineman from Evergreen High School in Seattle, practiced with the Huskies for the first time today.
Kelemete, who was Washington’s first commitment in the class of 2008, was academically ineligible when the team opened camp. The Huskies now have 103 players on their roster with Monday’s departure of Curtis Shaw and Wednesday’s addition of Kelemete.
Contact Herald Writer John Boyle at jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more on University of Washington sports, check out the Huskies blog at heraldnet.com /huskiesblog
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