SEATTLE — This time last year, Darin Harris was wondering if he even had a football future.
On Saturday, he’ll be starting at free safety when the Huskies travel to Arizona State. After seeing significant playing time as a freshman and sophomore, the Federal Way native missed all of last season because of a cracked vertebrae in his back. Until April, he was unsure if doctors would clear him to play again.
“It’s just a great feeling,” said Harris. “You’re really not sure if you’re going to play football again, then you’re starting. That’s crazy. I give thanks to God for letting me get back from my injury and blessing me with that opportunity.”
Harris had only played sparingly in one game — Washington’s loss to UCLA — before an injury forced him into action. Starting free safety Jason Wells injured his knee in the second quarter against USC, and Harris played the rest of the game in Wells’ spot.
Harris, who had spent most of his practice time playing strong safety, has spent the last week and half adjusting to the switch at free safety. He said being forced into action against USC was interesting, because he was trying to appreciate the moment, while at the same time trying to do his job.
“It was a little bit of both,” he said. “It was like, ‘Wow, I’m playing football again.’ But then it was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to mess up.’”
Cornerback spot filled? While the starting cornerback spot opposite Roy Lewis is still officially listed as a three-man battle between Byron Davenport, Vonzell McDowell Jr. and Matt Mosley, it appears that Davenport may be close to winning the job.
The most experienced of the trio, Davenport is now healthy from a pair of hamstring injuries that kept him out of Washington’s first three games. Defensive backs coach J.D. Williams and defensive coordinator Kent Baer both mentioned Davenport’s return as a big addition to the secondary.
“I thought Byron really helped us in the SC game,” said Baer. “He’s healthy and that’s nice to see, because he’s had some experience and he’s played in some big games in the Pac-10.”
Folk fracture: It turns out the back problems that have sidelined kicker Erik Folk stem from a stress fracture. Folk has recently resumed kicking, said Willingham, but will almost certainly redshirt this season. Folk’s brother, Nick, kicked the 53-yard game-winning field goal in Dallas’ Monday Night Football win over Buffalo.
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