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Unprompted and with deceptive nonchalance, Jimmy Lake dropped a casual bombshell in the first minute of his first news conference after the Huskies' first workout of summer. And in the process, changed everything you thought you knew about Washington's football prospects in 2021. Linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui, the pass-rushing wunderkind who burst on the scene like a blazing comet last fall, only to suffer a devastating Achilles tear in April, will play this season for Washington. Or, at least, so insisted Lake.

Lake's declaration wasn't conditional, mind you. He didn't say, "We really hope ZTF will be back" or, "He'll play this year if his rehab continues to go as well as it has been." No, Lake was about as definitive as one can be when assessing an injury that happened less than four months ago and is routinely gauged as having a six- to 10-month recovery time. "He will for sure be seeing the field in 2021," Lake said. Those two words, "for sure," are doing a lot of heavy lifting and piling a ton of expectations on Tupuola-Fetui's eventual return. And also on the Huskies' place in the college football hierarchy. If ZTF's recovery hits any roadblocks or setbacks, it will now be viewed as a huge letdown. But if Lake is right, the Huskies have a chance to make a leap from good to great. The first day of camp is always an optimal day for dreaming. For Husky fans, Lake managed to increase the magnitude of that dream immeasurably. - Seattle Times

(DS#16 DE) rSr/2024

DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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08/10/21 - Zion Tupuola-Fetui, rSr/2024, Washington, 6-3, 255 (DS#16 DE) + More +

Less than four months after tearing his left Achilles tendon, Zion Tupuola-Fetui wore a jersey and cleats while he watched his teammates practice on Friday, gripping a football and walking without any hint of a limp. When he suffered the non-contact injury during a practice on April 16, the expectation was that Washington's All-American outside linebacker would miss 6-10 months - likely swallowing the entire 2021 season. On Friday, UW head coach Jimmy Lake dramatically reset expectations - declaring that "ZTF" will play in the upcoming regular season. "Zion, who I'm sure you saw out there, is way head of schedule. He will for sure be seeing the field in 2021," Lake said. "It's been exciting watching him. We knew he was going to attack his rehab, and he is way ahead of where our doctors thought he was going to be. So we're excited about that."

When asked for a specific timetable for Tupuola-Fetui's return, Lake smiled and said: "I'll just say, our opponents better be ready for him." Opponents did not appear ready last fall, when the sophomore from Pearl City, Hawaii, exploded for seven sacks and three forced fumbles in just four games - leading the nation with 1.75 sacks per game. And, despite the injury, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound pass-rusher also shed 20 pounds this offseason - landing at what Lake described as a more desirable weight. "I think he's going to be even more explosive," Lake said. "It's also going to limit his injuries, being at that weight. You guys saw that explosion that he had in 2020. It's going to be pretty scary to see even more explosion now with about 18 pounds off of him. "His diet is better. His training is better. He's locked in. He's going to be ready to go. As soon as he's full go, watch out." - Seattle Times

(DS#16 DE) rSr/2024

DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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08/08/21 - Sean McGrew, rSr/2022, Washington, 5-07, 176 (DS#84 RB) + More +

McGrew is so much more than his measurables. The sixth-year senior and preseason Doak Walker Award candidate led the Huskies with 227 yards, 5.3 yards per carry and four touchdowns last season, while contributing as a kick returner as well. He's a deceptively tough runner and a good blocker with burst in the open field. And equally important, he's durable, having appeared in 29 of the Huskies' last 31 games. - Seattle Times

(DS#84 RB) rSr/2022

RB Sean McGrew, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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08/07/21 - Michael Penix Jr., rSr/2024, Washington, 6-2, 216 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. won't take part in live periods early in training camp as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. The expectation is for Penix to be ready by the opener Sept. 4 against Iowa. Penix already has worked on timing with new receivers such as transfers D.J. Matthews (Florida State) and Camron Buckley (Texas A&M) over the summer, but establishing that timing is different when facing live defenses. "It's definitely a progression, and he's right where he needs to be, where the medical staff has put him," Indiana coach Tom Allen said. "To me that's going to be very important, for sure, to get him in those positions and get him comfortable and get him around. But he's not going to get hit until Sept. 4. That's not really different from any year. But just keep building, building until he's full bore Sept. 4." Allen said the communication with Penix will be constant during fall camp to make sure he's fully healthy. "He's a mature young man," Allen said. "He's been here. He knows his body. He's going to communicate with us in how he feels. He doesn't have to have as many (reps) as a couple of years ago because of his experience, but he's got to be sharp and crisp." - Herald Bulletin

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2024

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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08/01/21 - Giles Jackson, rSr/2025, Washington, 5-08, 187 (DS#74 WR) + More +

Maybe they'll call him "The Maserati on Montlake." After all, Giles Jackson can really move. In two seasons at Michigan, the 5-foot-9, 188-pound wide receiver registered 24 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown, adding 26.4 yards per kick return and two special-teams scores. Before that the former four-star recruit from Freedom High School in Oakley, California, recorded a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical jump at The Opening Finals in July 2018.

Jackson - who was expected to contend for a starting role at Michigan before announcing an April transfer to Montlake - will have to earn a role in the UW offense. But already, his attributes are exceedingly clear. "You can't teach his speed, his twitchiness. He is fast as all get-out," UW coach Jimmy Lake said at Pac-12 media day Tuesday. "It's so funny, when he finally came in the building I saw him, and he's one of those guys that just looks fast. When you guys see him in person you'll be like, 'That guy looks fast. He looks like a Maserati." - Seattle Times

(DS#74 WR) rSr/2025

WR Giles Jackson, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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07/29/21 - Cade Otton, rSr/2022, Washington, 6-5, 245 (DS#6 TE) + More +

The Washington Huskies have been chosen to finish second behind rival Oregon in the Pac-12 North in the upcoming 2021 football season, the conference announced Tuesday morning. UW received 189 points and a total of two first-place votes, with the Ducks garnering the other 38. Oregon (238 points) was also chosen to top South Division champ USC (27 first-place votes, 227 points) in a rematch of the 2020 Pac-12 title game. The vote was completed by 40 media members who cover the league. The media has correctly predicted the Pac-12 champion in 32 of 60 preseason polls, including five of 10 since the conference instituted a title game.

Eight Huskies also received preseason All-Pac-12 honors: left tackle Jaxson Kirkland (first team), tight end Cade Otton (first team), defensive back Trent McDuffie (first team), linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (second team), center Luke Wattenberg (honorable mention), right guard Henry Bainivalu (honorable mention), defensive back Kyler Gordon (honorable mention) and kicker Peyton Henry (honorable mention). - Seattle Times

(DS#6 TE) rSr/2022

TE Cade Otton, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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07/27/21 - Michael Penix Jr., rSr/2024, Washington, 6-2, 216 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Michael Penix gave the 2020 college football season one of its enduring Images - a headfirst lunge toward the end zone to beat Penn State in overtime (where'd his knee hit?). It ignited a special season in Bloomington. Now, nine months later, Indiana fans are worried about that same knee. How is Penix recovering from the ACL tear he suffered last season? Is there any additional lag in rehabilitation since he's now torn it twice? Will he be ready for the season opener at Iowa?

Speaking during Indiana's turn through Big Ten media days Friday, Penix was dead sure of two things: He got the pylon that night against the Nittany Lions, and he'll be ready for the start of the season. "I'm right where I need to be right now," he said. "100% Sept. 4 (at Iowa)." No question has lingered over the Hoosiers' inflated ambitions this offseason more than Penix's health. When fit to play, Penix is perhaps the best quarterback in the conference, certainly since Justin Fields departed for the NFL. Penix can make NFL throws at all three levels, he possesses one of the best deep balls in the FBS and across his career, he's shown the ability to be both efficient and explosive. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2024

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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07/26/21 - Michael Penix Jr., rSr/2024, Washington, 6-2, 216 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. received another preseason accolade as one of 10 players to earn preseason All-Big Ten honors on Thursday morning. A media panel selected the 10-player list, with five players from the east and west division. Penix Jr., passed for 1,645 yards with 14 TDs and 4 interceptions and scored two more rushing TDs before going down with a torn ACL on Nov. 28 against Maryland. He averaged a Big Ten-leading 274.2 yards per game (18th nationally) and recorded a 136.54 pass-efficiency rating. Penix has been ahead of schedule on his rehab and is expected to be under center for IU's season opener Sept. 4 at Iowa. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2024

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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07/18/21 - Michael Penix Jr., rSr/2024, Washington, 6-2, 216 (DS#5 QB) + More +

Penix might be the best quarterback Ohio State faces this season. Until the eventual OSU starting QB gets some games under his belt it's wise to assume the former three-star recruit is the best field general in the Big Ten. He torched the Buckeyes last season, throwing for a career-high 491 yards and five touchdowns. Most of that came in the second half after Ohio State had already built a 35-7 lead, but it still allowed the Hoosiers to get back into the game. If Shaun Wade doesn't take an interception back for a touchdown to close out the third quarter, that 42-35 victory might've been headed to overtime. Now he's back with one of his best weapons at wide receiver - Ty Fryfogle - paired with a defense still talented enough to maximize Tom Allen's aggressive approach. He'll be the first thing Ohio State sees coming off a bye week. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2024

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
News Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
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05/21/21 - Julius Irvin, rSr/2024, Washington, 6-1, 179 (DS#999 FS) + More +

Six players - Dominique Hampton, Cameron Williams, Asa Turner, Alex Cook, Julius Irvin and Brendan Radley-Hiles - could realistically start at safety in 2021. Of that group, Williams and Turner are the most established talents, toting 16 combined starts since 2019. Cook - a converted wide receiver - also started three of four games last season, but failed to stand out in the most significant opportunity of his college career. It's worth noting that both Turner and Cook were limited through much of the spring due to injury, which made it difficult to assess where they stand alongside the other Husky safeties.

The wild card of this group is the 6-1, 185-pound Irvin, a redshirt junior who arrived in 2018 as a highly touted four-star recruit but has contributed just two total tackles in 12 career games. Still, the Anaheim, Calif., product flashed in the second half of the spring and was one of the more consistent hitters in the Purple vs. Gold game as well. "Julius has had a really good camp. He's taken strides mentally," said UW assistant defensive backs coach Terrence Brown. "One thing that we stress in our room is, when you really start to understand the game mentally and increase your football IQ, you'll feel that the game will slow down. I think he's really bought into that - watching extra tape, doing extra stuff out there on the field. I actually just came in from doing extra stuff with him out there on the field. "We're excited about him. I know he's excited about where he is right now in terms of his development, and we're looking for some good things from him in the future." - Seattle Times

(DS#999 FS) rSr/2024

FS Julius Irvin, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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05/19/21 - *Kyler Gordon, rSo/2022, Washington, 6-0, 198 (DS#7 CB) + More +

So we know how good Trent McDuffie is, and we know how good Kyler Gordon could be. But could UW's current cornerback duo surpass the 2016 tandem of Sidney Jones and Kevin King? "With Trent McDuffie, who has obviously played a bunch of football and made a lot of plays around here, in a lot of ways he's ahead of those corners that played back then in 2016," Lake said. "He's played at a high level really since he's been on campus. "Kyler Gordon still has to go out there and do it. Now, he has all the athleticism, all the speed. He's finally honing in on his technique and learning the defense. But I think it remains to be seen where he's going to be when we enter into the fall. He reminds me a lot of when we moved Kevin King to corner. Kevin King had played nickel and safety, and then he played corner all spring ball, figuring out how to play corner, and then he goes in and has an amazing fall and of course becomes the 33rd overall pick right after that. "Kyler Gordon is in a very similar situation, where the light has clicked on. He's playing his position at a high level. Now he's got to go out there and go do it in the fall." - Seattle Times

(DS#7 CB) rSo/2022

CB *Kyler Gordon, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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05/14/21 - Michael Penix Jr., rSr/2024, Washington, 6-2, 216 (DS#5 QB) + More +

For as injury prone as Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been throughout his college career, he's also proven to be a quick healer. Video surfaced last week of Penix throwing in his native Tampa, Florida, and IU coach Tom Allen said Thursday the All-Big Ten signal caller remains on track to be ready in time for IU's season opener Sept. 4 at Iowa. Penix is less than seven months removed from a torn ACL he suffered Nov. 28 against Maryland on a scramble going out of bounds at Memorial Stadium that sidelined him for the rest of the season. "We feel good about it," Allen said. "I mean, it's like anything else. You've got to stay progressing each month, watching it very carefully. He's got his doctors that had the surgery there monitoring everything very carefully, and they are very cautious -- as they should be."

Indiana offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said the plan is for Penix to start throwing to some of his IU teammates when he returns to campus in July. "I feel good where he's at and again in July start throwing with the guys and expect him to be, you know -- he won't be hit or anything throughout fall camp, so that gives him another whole month of August as well to be able to continue to heal," Allen said. "But he'll be full bore when we get into fall camp. There won't be any restrictions on him other than just not hitting." - Herald Bulletin

(DS#5 QB) rSr/2024

QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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05/12/21 - Tuli Letuligasenoa, rSr/2024, Washington, 6-1, 295 (DS#51 DT) + More +

Throughout the Chris Petersen era, UW depended on a steady stream of dominant defensive linemen: Danny Shelton, then Vita Vea, then Greg Gaines, then Levi Onwuzurike. It's unclear if anyone on Washington's current roster is capable of taking that torch. But Letuligasenoa - a 6-foot-2, 310-pound redshirt junior - certainly seems like the most likely candidate. "He's very, very passionate," Lake said. "He's obviously a really good football player. He does bring a lot of emotion to the defense. And now, he's actually even better at keeping his poise. He was probably one of the main ones I had to hold back (from fighting) a few times here during training camp last year. But I love it. I love the guys that bring the energy, that bring the juice. That just is infectious to the other players around him."

In his fourth year on campus, Letuligasenoa is learning to channel that emotion. And most importantly, he's healthy, after missing two of the Huskies' four games last fall. Dubbed "the twins" because of their instant connection, Letuligasenoa and Taimani both flashed this spring and will be counted on to stone the run and collapse opposing offensive lines. Tuitele and Jacob Bandes - a pair of sophomores and former four-star recruits - will likely contribute as well. - Seattle Times

(DS#51 DT) rSr/2024

DT Tuli Letuligasenoa, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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05/08/21 - Cade Otton, rSr/2022, Washington, 6-5, 245 (DS#6 TE) + More +

Cade Otton's importance can't be overstated. In his first four games as a full-time starter, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end from Tumwater led the Huskies in catches (18), receiving yards (258) and touchdown receptions (3) - establishing himself as Dylan Morris' go-to target. And, besides his soft hands, route-running and penchant for carrying undersized, overmatched opponents for extra yards, he separated himself as a run-blocker as well. Still, Otton's value transcends his considerable on-field contributions. "We're really fortunate to have him back," Cato said. "Obviously the big part is as a player, he's a game-changer. But the other thing is just getting one more year for those young guys to see how it's supposed to be done - everything from off-the-field preparation, to a mental and physical standpoint, how to come out to practice every day and attack every day. "We talk a lot about stacking days around here, and he's kind of an epitome of that." - Seattle Times

(DS#6 TE) rSr/2022

TE Cade Otton, Washington
News Source: Seattle Times
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04/23/21 - Zion Tupuola-Fetui, rSr/2024, Washington, 6-3, 255 (DS#16 DE) + More +

Washington outside linebacker Zion Tupuola-Fetui, a third-team AP All-American selection last season, will miss the next six to 10 months after tearing his Achilles tendon in practice last week. Washington coach Jimmy Lake said Wednesday that the Huskies are not ruling Tupuola-Fetui out for the entire 2021 season as of yet. Tupuola-Fetui is expected to undergo surgery later this week. Despite playing just three games last fall, Tupuola-Fetui was a revelation in his first season as a starter for the Huskies. He had seven sacks and 13 tackles. He also forced and recovered one fumble. The loss of Tupuola-Fetui is another big blow for Washington's defense heading into the 2021 season. - Seattle Post Intelligencer

(DS#16 DE) rSr/2024

DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington
News Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer
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