When Kalen DeBoer took over as the brand new College of Washington soccer coach, Jaxson Kirkland was headed for ankle surgical procedure, Zion Tupuola-Fetui was popping out of concussion protocol, Kuao Peihopa was nonetheless limping round on a foul foot and Michael Penix Jr. was midway throughout the nation nursing a shoulder harm.

Little did DeBoer know on the time, however these 4 explicit gamers seemingly could be a very powerful items in what he prefers to name a Husky reload relatively than a rebuild. 

If anybody ever doubted the worth that Kirkland brings to the UW soccer panorama, contemplate the magnitude of the video — it had the build-up of a Hollywood film trailer — the college produced for saying his return. 

All it wanted was an NFL movies narration from the soothing voice of now deceased John Facenda, somebody who at all times made all the pieces sound a lot extra necessary together with his memorable descriptions.

“From the sting of Lake Washington, Jaxson got here out of his stance with a fury, decided to make the Kirkland title one which no Husky fan would ever overlook … “

That stated, we have picked out 10 Huskies who we expect could have the most important impression on this yr’s workforce, whether or not it’s with their bodily instruments or management skills, something to drag this system out of its 4-8 funk of 2021, return it to the higher echelon of the Pac-12 and put it again within the postseason.

The 2022 TOP 10 HUSKIES

1) Jaxson Kirkland, OT — He’s essentially the most embellished returning Pac-12 participant at any place, a two-time, first-team all-conference choice. Going again to 2018, he has 39 faculty begins, essentially the most of anybody on the roster. He is considered one of a pair of 2019 Rose Bowl starters nonetheless on the workforce. He seemingly would be the Huskies’ highest drafted participant in 10 months, a first-rounder if all goes effectively. Kirkland’s return for a sixth season was crucial with the intention to repair an underperforming UW offensive line and provides DeBoer’s high-powered offense its greatest probability to succeed. 

2) Zion Tupuola-Fetui, DE — ZTF has the catchy branding essential to be a well-compensated NFL soccer participant; he simply wants a 12- or 14-game season pattern to again it up. Pretty much as good as he is been at instances, the Hawaiian hasn’t performed in additional than 5 video games in a season since 2019. He has extra profession sacks (8) than begins (7). This one-time, first-team All-Pac-12 participant is pretty much as good because it will get as a playmaker when wholesome and the Husky protection is a distinct animal when he is at his greatest.

3) Kuao Peihopa, DL — The Huskies went out and bought a portal switch improve for each place space in want besides the line of defense, deciding on a JC addition. The brand new workers will use Peihopa just like a newcomer, too. He would have performed lots as a real freshman, but he injured a foot that restricted him to sporadic appearances in 4 video games. DeBoer did not cover the truth that he and his workers felt they’ve a difference-maker on this Hawaiian. ZTF and Peihopa, facet by facet for a whole season, could be a particular step for the protection in a yr’s time.

4) Michael Penix Jr., QB — Sometimes, the No. 1 quarterback could be rated larger on an inventory corresponding to this one. Penix actually brings a particular cool below strain, mobility not seen in a UW quarterback since Keith Worth or Jake Locker, and a repute for profitable large video games after beating Huge Ten pillars Michigan and Michigan State. Nevertheless, the sensation is the offensive-minded DeBoer, ought to he must go with out the oft-injured Penix, would have Dylan Morris and/or Sam Huard able to go at a minute’s discover. He is a stickler for preparedness.

5) Alex Cook dinner, FS — Just like Elijah Molden and Trent McDuffie earlier than him, that is Alex Cook dinner’s secondary. He is a veteran man, the sixth-year senior, the security with essentially the most begins (9) final season among the many seven guys who opened video games again there for the Huskies. He is additionally the reply to the earlier trivia trace: Who’s the opposite man in addition to Kirkland to begin the 2019 Rose Bowl towards Ohio State? Cook dinner did it at extensive receiver.  

6) Rome Odunze, WR — So large and athletic, this 6-foot-3, 201-pound may elevate himself greater than some other Husky within the eyes of the convention. The UW is fortunate that Odunze, after coping with two seasons of the John Donovan offense catastrophe, did not switch out. A current checklist declared there are 4 USC receivers higher than this man… one possibly.

7) Carson Bruener, LB — He is a legacy participant, a budding star and the bedrock of a second row in fixed transition since Edefuan Ulofoshio bought injured twice and Jackson Sirmon headed for a household reunion in Berkeley. The Huskies went out and bought confirmed expertise in Cam Vivid at Pittsburgh and Kris Moll from UAB, and have introduced Alphonzo Tuputala alongside to the purpose he may begin, however all of those gamers will work round Bruener.

8) Jalen McMillan, WR — Put this man in a DeBoer offense, and he has a great opportunity to be a first- or second-team All-Pac-12 decide, similar as his buddy Odunze. The one distinction between him and Rome is slightly little bit of dimension. The place he has an in together with his new coach is he hails from Fresno.

9) Troy Fautanu, OG — He and Peihopa have been the break-out stars of Husky spring follow, one on both sides of the road. The one query surrounding Fautanu is will he begin at left guard subsequent to Kirkland, corresponding to he did within the Apple Cup, or will he open at proper deal with?

10) Tuli Letuligaseno, DL — Even with the protection giving up 200 yards per recreation, this man was named All-Pac-12 honorable point out final season by the coaches and now first-team all-conference by Athlon this preseason. What that claims is possibly these round him have been actually gentle. You must like a lineman who comes out of a stance and intercepts a go like Tuli did at Arizona. Letuligasenoa and Peihopoa, each with tempers exhausting to cover, collectively might be as imply and nasty as any pair of down linemen within the convention. 

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