SEATTLE – Apparently Shelton Sampson’s move from running back to cornerback wasn’t what the junior was really looking for.
Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald
Sampson, who had been expected to work his way into the running back picture because of his excellent speed, instead has left the team. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder from Lakewood’s Clover Park High School, quit earlier this week, apparently because he was unhappy with being moved from offense to defense.
Sampson was unavailable for comment and Washington coach Tyrone Willingham declined to answer specific questions about the situation.
“It always affects the team,” Willingham said of Sampson’s departure. “Anytime you have someone leave the team, it affects the team because there are relationships that are established. He’s been a friend to guys. The good news is hopefully he’ll stay in the university and get his degree. But the loss is always something you don’t like.”
Sampson was moved to cornerback last week after seeing limited action at running back, a position that’s been manned by Louis Rankin and Kenny James, who both return next year along with impressive freshman J.R. Hasty. That meant the likelihood that Sampson would see time in the backfield was slim.
Sampson was a major recruit out of high school, where he won three-straight state 110-meter hurdles championships (beating Nate Robinson as a senior). His redshirt freshman year, Sampson was third on the team with 274 yards and led all running backs with eight touchdowns, and last year was again third with 189 yards, but developed a reputation for fumbling.
This year, most of Sampson’s playing time came at kick returner, getting just four carries for 20 yards. Sampson was moved to defense to help at a position that is thin on depth, but Willingham said he has no plans “at this time” to switch another player to corner.
Injury update: Willingham said offensive tackles Joe Toledo (ankle) and Chad Macklin (leg) are progressing well and he hopes they will be available next week. The only injury this week came to receiver Charles Smith, who hurt a shoulder which, Willingham said, could affect his availability for the Oregon game.
Hasty impressive: Hasty, Washington’s top recruit last season out of Bellevue High School, continues to impress Willingham. Last week, Hasty traveled with the team to UCLA, a rarity for a guy unlikely to play. On Wednesday, Hasty was impressive during a 20-minute scrimmage.
“If you talk with anyone who was there yesterday, the kids, myself, J.R. Hasty really jumped out,” Willingham said. “He did some wonderful things.”
Willingham said he still hasn’t come to a decision on if he will redshirt Hasty, but said Sampson’s situation would not affect that decision.
Knudson rewarded: Willingham said he put kicker Evan Knudson on scholarship last week. Knudson, a former walk-on from North Thurston High School, is 6-for-9 on field goals and 12-for-12 on extra points.
Frisbee switch: Willingham said sophomore Jordan White-Frisbee may be moved from defensive tackle to offensive line. White-Frisbee has been out all season with a broken foot after starting eight games as a true freshman last year. The move to offense, Willingham said, would likely mean White-Frisbee would redshirt this season.
On the road: Willingham said seven of his assistant coaches, the maximum allowed, were on the road recruiting this week. Coaches are allowed to go to prospects’ games, meet with their school counselors but can not have contact with a recruit.
Three coaches remained with the team, and Willingham said because of that, his involvement would be greater. He said he would be working with the defensive line and wide receivers.
Practice update: Willingham said practice this week has been typical for a bye week. A little more easy-going than a regular week, with the need to raise the intensity level. But he said he is getting what he had hoped for.
“We’re on track to reach our goals for the week,” Willingham said. “Get healthier. Have an opportunity to work on our opponent, we’ve done that. Give some younger guys an opportunity to play a little more football.”
Palaita impressing: Senior fullback Mark Palaita has earned more playing time because Willingham said he is performing his role better than any other fullback. Palaita, a walk-on, who played in seven games primarily on special teams last year, has two carries for three yards and a touchdown while playing in all five games.
“He’s doing very well,” Willingham said. “He’s taken a role, that has been lead blocker and receiver from our backfield, and he’s done that role better than the other guys at his position.”
A free Saturday: Willingham said he would spend this Saturday watching a lot of football.
“There’s some good stuff on,” he said.
Oregon game time: The game time for next week’s Oregon game will be 12:30 p.m. and will not be televised. There has been talk of moving the game to a later date for television reasons.
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