OLYMPIA – Trenton Tuiasosopo didn’t get where he is by being passive.
While many freshmen in Division I football programs are quick to accept that they’ll probably sit out their first season as a redshirt, Tuiasosopo simply doesn’t want to hear it.
“If I can help it, I’m not going to redshirt,” said the all-state linebacker from Mariner High School in his first days practicing as a University of Washington Husky. “I want to at least play some special teams. If I don’t make it, I’ll just wait my turn, but I want to be on special teams, at least.”
Listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Tuiasosopo already has the frame for the position. However, he has much to learn. The playbook is the size of a Seattle phone directory. Proper technique takes on Biblical importance at this level.
Complicating things is a pulled hamstring that will keep him out of action for two or three days.
Tuiasosopo finds himself among veterans who have a load of experience.
Senior Tim Galloway, junior co-captain Joe Lobendahn and sophomore Scott White anchor the middle of the Husky defense. Junior Evan Benjamin, a converted strong safety, moves to outside linebacker, giving the defense a great pass-coverage player in the pass-happy Pacific-10 Conference.
Behind them is Kyle Trew, a redshirt freshman from Edmonds-Woodway, who has been a standout at camp so far. Sophomore Tahj Bomar, one of nine true freshmen to see playing time last year, has impressed with his quickness and aggressive play.
Tuiasosopo has gotten little feedback from coaches in terms of their plans for him this season. For now, they encourage him just to do his best, make an impression and leave the planning to them. Tuiasosopo does, however, receive regular instruction in meetings and on the practice field from his position coach, Chris Tormey.
“They just tell me to run as hard as I can, jump as high as I can and do whatever I can do to impress them and they’ll go from there,” Tuiasosopo said.
There are times when he looks the part of a veteran. One such occasion came Wednesday on 11-on-11, full-pad mini-scrimmage, when he correctly read a running play, ran full-bore into the hole and slammed into tailback Kenny James for no gain.
None of that should surprise Mariner Marauder followers. Tuiasosopo was a three-year starter at linebacker and tight end in high school, where he was a Class 4A all-state pick by The Associated Press as a senior.
Tuiasosopo had five sacks as a senior and helped Mariner shut out four opponents. SuperPrep ranked him the No. 8 prospect in the state and was on PrepStar’s All-America team.
Yet, there is much work to be done. The Huskies’ week-long camp at The Evergreen State College is a grind that offers little else other than football during waking hours.
On the practice field, Tuiasosopo has to get accustomed to the increased speed of the game. Off the field, he has to study as he’s never studied before.
“Getting used to college speed and really, learning the plays are a pain in the butt right now,” he said. “Besides that, I’m doing OK.”
With the exception of his hamstring.
Boxing Illustrated: Wednesday’s afternoon practice was marked by more than a few skirmishes, highlighted by a roundhouse-filled donnybrook between defensive tackle Manase Hopoi and offensive tackle Clay Walker.
Both simply took turns taking wild swings at each other’s helmets, until tackle and co-captain Khalif Barnes knocked Walker down and screamed at him to aim at anything else, to just protect his hands.
The chippiness continued during an 11-on-11 scrimmage, prompting head coach Keith Gilbertson to unleash a screaming, cap-waving tirade at the players after practice.
“A couple guys lost their composure,” Gilbertson said. “I know they want to do well, but that’s stupid. We had one instance where we had a second and goal from the 2 to a third and goal from the 17 because of a dead-ball personal foul. We cannot have that. That’s a selfish act.”
One explanation: Winners in the scrimmage got barbecued ribs, the losers pasta for the night’s dinner. The offense and defense tied.
Defensive line adjustments: Defensive tackle Casey Tyler’s exit from the team this week moved redshirt freshmen Jordan Reffett and Wilson Afoa up the depth chart a bit. Sophomore Dan Milsten and senior Hopoi have been running with the first defense most of the time, but sophomore Donny Mateaki figures to be in the mix. Mateaki, however, has been slowed with a pulled hamstring.
Sophomore Brandon Ala and junior Ty Eriks appear to be the frontrunners at defensive end, although should someone emerge at tackle, Hopoi can shift outside.
Two freshman ends to watch in the future are Caesar Rayford (6-7, 230), who can run all day but has to add muscle, and Jordan White-Frisbee (6-7, 290), from Inglemoor High School. White-Frisbee has been a handful to block even at this early stage of his development.
Injuries: Mateaki isn’t the only one with hamstring problems. Fullback Zach Tuiasosopo, guard Clay Walker and wideout Charles Smith also have similar injuries. Walker and Zach Tuiasosopo were back Wednesday; Mateaki and Smith were not.
Wideout Quintin Daniels (toe) was held out of practice, as was linebacker Joe Lobendahn, who had four wisdom teeth pulled.
Cornerback Derrick Bradley, who sat out last season because of shoulder surgery, has been again bothered by the shoulder and will miss an undetermined number of practices.
“They want to look at it again,” Gilbertson said. “He took a pretty good shot on it (Tuesday).”
Tight end Ben Bandel’s arthritic knee has forced him to practice about every other day, which may be the story the entire season.
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