SEATTLE – With one cornerback in legal trouble, and another nursing a sore hamstring, the already inexperienced University of Washington secondary is looking especially thin these days.
Still, despite the news that Jordan Murchison is away from the team indefinitely facing assault charges, and that Byron Davenport hurt his hamstring Tuesday, the remaining cornerbacks remain optimistic they can do the job if called upon.
Senior Roy Lewis, one of only two returning starters in the secondary, is all but a lock to be the starter at one cornerback position when the Huskies play their first game at Syracuse. But the other cornerback race was wide open coming into camp, and now the Huskies could possibly be turning to freshmen or a walk-on to help stabilize the position.
Willingham said he has no time frame for making a decision on Murchison, who was expected to compete for the other starting cornerback spot, along with the hobbled Davenport, and sophomore Matt Mosley.
The much-needed good news for the Huskies was that Davenport suited up for practice Thursday and was on the field at the beginning of practice. He was not, however, participating at full speed, and Willingham said he did not take part in practice beyond warmups.
In the absence of Davenport and Murchison, the Huskies would have four scholarship cornerbacks: Lewis, Mosley, and freshmen Vonzell McDowell and Marquis Persley.
Another option for the Huskies would be to move a safety to cornerback, but so far that is not being considered.
“As of right now we’ll work with the core that we’ve got back there,” said Willingham.
Another option for the Huskies is Cory Nicol, a walk-on from Woodinville High School who previously played at Orange Coast College.
“I came in here with the mindset that I can play and I can help this team,” he said. “We obviously hope for the best for both Byron and Jordan, but while they’re gone we’ve got to be able to step up and help the team.”
If called upon, McDowell, a graduate of Rainier Beach High in Seattle, said he will be ready.
“I’ve been studying my playbook and getting a lot of reps, and I believe that with a couple more weeks and lot of study, and could be ready to go,” said McDowell, who could be used on kick and punt returns. “But it’s not my decision, it’s the coaches’ decision. I’ll just do my part, study my playbook and play hard.”
With all the inexperience in the secondary, the young cornerbacks are turning to Lewis for advice.
“Roy is kind of like our big brother,” said Mosley. “We look up to Roy, and he kicks us in the butt if we’re not doing the things we need to be doing.”
Mosley, like the others, is confident that a young group of corners can shine if needed.
“I’ve always had the mindset to be ready,” he said. “I always think in my mind that I’ve got to be ready to be a starter. Now it’s time to step up for me and the other guys.”
Savannah ineligible? Linebacker E.J. Savannah, who figured to be a starter this fall, has been running with the second team all week. On Thursday, Willingham hinted for the first time that he may have some sort of eligibility issues.
“It involves something in school,” Willingham said when asked about Savanna’s spot on the depth chard.
When asked if Savannah was eligible, Willingham was vague, saying only, “We’re working on that.”
Full contact: Thursday was first practice in full pads, something Willingham and his coaching staff have been looking forward to.
“The game takes on a different aspect,” he said. “Then you really see what young men are made of when you’re playing a complete game.”
Today is the first day of two-a-day practices.
More gold for Rankin: Senior tailback Louis Rankin wore a gold jersey in practice for the third straight day Thursday, an honor Willingham gives to players for their hard work in practice. So far Rankin is the only player to earn a gold jersey.
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