DC Ryan Walter's Husky defense enters year three of the Jedd Fisch rebuild with a unit that looks stacked with proven veterans on paper, such as LB Jacob Manu, LB Xe'ree Alexander, S Alex McLaughlin, and transfer CB Manny Karnley. However, there are handful of younger and previously injured players who have turned heads this fall camp, and many of them will be stepping into bigger roles the Big Ten. Here are five defenders worth watching closely for a potential breakout season this year.
Before getting into it, it's worth defining what "breakout" actually means for this list. For the true freshmen, that bar is Freshman All-American. For everyone else, it's earning first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors. To the list!
Rainey-Sale arrived on campus as one of the more talented linebacker recruits in recent Husky history, but a torn ACL derailed his momentum from his freshman season. Now healthy again, he's pushing for the starting job next to Jacob Manu, and his physical tools at 6-2 and 240 pounds make that an enticing pairing. If he can stay on the field, Rainey-Sale has the kind of, speed, range and instincts that could make Washington's linebacker corps one of the best in the country. His ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage make him a valuable ****** et.
Dillard-Allen started three games as a true freshman last season, so he's already established himself somewhat within the program. What he showed was a player who was physical, confident, and unafraid of contact, which earned him the nickname "Batman." Dillard-Allen is another highly rated recruit looking to become a full time starter in his second season, but his fly-around-the-field physical playing style has seen him crossing the line into foul territory a few too many times during fall camp. As reported by many close to the program, safeties coach Taylor Mays continues to work with him on playing up to the line, with discipline.
A year behind Dillar-Allen and Rainey-Sale is the true freshmen duo of Coleman-Brusa and Fruean. These two true freshmen represent the kind of immediate talent infusion up front that many programs hope for. Colman-Brusa was basically handed a starting defensive tackle job once he arrived on campus and he profiles as a disruptive, versatile player who can win from multiple alignments up front. Fruean, meanwhile, has been in the mix pushing for reps as an edge rusher, with his length and speed. Washington doesn't have a clear number one guy at edge rusher so there's a big opportunity for Fruean to really establish himself. Between the two of them, there will be plenty of snaps to go around.
#allen #fruean
Before getting into it, it's worth defining what "breakout" actually means for this list. For the true freshmen, that bar is Freshman All-American. For everyone else, it's earning first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors. To the list!
Rainey-Sale arrived on campus as one of the more talented linebacker recruits in recent Husky history, but a torn ACL derailed his momentum from his freshman season. Now healthy again, he's pushing for the starting job next to Jacob Manu, and his physical tools at 6-2 and 240 pounds make that an enticing pairing. If he can stay on the field, Rainey-Sale has the kind of, speed, range and instincts that could make Washington's linebacker corps one of the best in the country. His ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage make him a valuable ****** et.
Dillard-Allen started three games as a true freshman last season, so he's already established himself somewhat within the program. What he showed was a player who was physical, confident, and unafraid of contact, which earned him the nickname "Batman." Dillard-Allen is another highly rated recruit looking to become a full time starter in his second season, but his fly-around-the-field physical playing style has seen him crossing the line into foul territory a few too many times during fall camp. As reported by many close to the program, safeties coach Taylor Mays continues to work with him on playing up to the line, with discipline.
A year behind Dillar-Allen and Rainey-Sale is the true freshmen duo of Coleman-Brusa and Fruean. These two true freshmen represent the kind of immediate talent infusion up front that many programs hope for. Colman-Brusa was basically handed a starting defensive tackle job once he arrived on campus and he profiles as a disruptive, versatile player who can win from multiple alignments up front. Fruean, meanwhile, has been in the mix pushing for reps as an edge rusher, with his length and speed. Washington doesn't have a clear number one guy at edge rusher so there's a big opportunity for Fruean to really establish himself. Between the two of them, there will be plenty of snaps to go around.
#allen #fruean
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