Washington’s Tevis Bartlett reacts to an extra point in a game against UCLA on Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

Washington’s Tevis Bartlett reacts to an extra point in a game against UCLA on Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

Senior LB eager to do more in the middle of UW’s defense

Tevis Bartlett is ready to take on a new role after moving to inside linebacker.

  • Adam Jude The Seattle Times
  • Monday, August 6, 2018 7:56pm
  • SportsHuskies

By Adam Jude

The Seattle Times

The Huskies want more out of Tevis Bartlett, and the senior linebacker believes he’s capable of doing just that.

“Absolutely. We all want to play, right?” Bartlett said. “If you can get more in the action, that’s even better. I’d love to have more of the responsibility. Now I’ve just to go help my teammates and produce.”

In shifting Bartlett to inside linebacker, Washington coaches have indeed given him more responsibilities and put him in better position to have a greater influence on the defense and be around the ball more.

“He’s one of the smartest guys we have … and I think he helps our overall defense inside and it helps him, maybe his skillset even more,” UW coach Chris Petersen said. “I’m excited to see how this one progresses.”

As a starting outside linebacker in 2017, Bartlett had 48 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. This spring, he moved to weakside linebacker, replacing the graduated Keishawn Bierria — now in his first NFL training camp with the Denver Broncos — and will play alongside returning middle linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven in an all-senior inside combination.

During the offseason, the 6-foot-3, 233-pound Bartlett studied film with linebackers coach Bob Gregory, and studied more on his own of how Bierria and Azeem Victor manned the position the past two seasons.

“I’m still working through (some details). Like today, there was a play when I needed to sit back on RPO (run-pass option) and was playing the run a little too fast,” Bartlett said over the weekend. “Just things like that, getting more reps at it and watching more film, and then it will become second nature. Once we get there, we’ll be in good shape.”

The Huskies have limited depth inside — and they got even thinner when five-star freshman linebacker Ale Kaho asked for his release from the program.

Junior DJ Beavers, held out of spring ball with various injuries, is back working with the No. 2 defense, along with senior walk-ons Matt Preston and Jake Wambaugh. Junior Brandon Wellington has been going through some position drills, but he’s still limited after having surgery to repair a torn ACL late last fall.

Unheralded underclassmen

Sophomore Amandre Williams is the new No. 1 strong-side linebacker, having studied under Bartlett there last season. Sophomore Myles Rice has been working with the second-team defense at SAM.

“It was cool to learn from someone like Tevis Bartlett. He’s a big mentor of mine. He’s real smart and I’m just taking in every little thing he has to say,” Williams said.

Sophomore Ryan Bowman and junior Benning Potoa’e are 1-2 at the other outside linebacker spot (Buck). Two intriguing up-and-comers are redshirt freshmen Joe Tryon — listed at 6-feet-5 and 267 pounds — and Ariel Ngata, long and lean at 6-2 and 217 pounds.

“There’s going to be a role for all those guys,” said co-defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, who coaches the outside linebackers. “We’ve got good depth, and all those guys are hungry. They all want to play. It’s going to all work itself out in these next 20-something practices.”

Ngata has at times feasted on the third-team offensive line through three fall-camp practices.

“He’s really quick, fast, twitchy,” Kwiatkowski said. “He’s going against some younger guys (on the offensive line) and he was working them pretty good. It’s going to be interesting to see how he does when he gets the pads on. I know he cares — he cares about it and wants to be really good. We’ve got high hopes for him.”

5-star linebacker released from NLI

The Huskies have granted Kaho, the highest-rated recruit to join Chris Petersen’s squad, a release from his National Letter of Intent after he made the request last week, according to The Athletic’s Christian Caple.

Kaho will have no restrictions on which school he signs with next.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on June 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks make rare deal to sign Nick Emmanwori for camp

How much do the Seahawks already value Nick Emmanwori, months before he… Continue reading

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) hits a home run during a game between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh becoming known for more than his nickname

Cal Raleigh endured the busiest all-star “break” in the history… Continue reading

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.