Washington Football: 5 Huskies Making an Impact in 2016

Azeem Victor

After you watch Washington’s defense play, you may not remember much (they’re not typically on the field for very long), but you remember the number 36.

He seems to be everywhere. Azeem Victor. There he is, on the edge, waiting to meet the running back trying to slant around the end. There, in the middle of the pile on third and short, now fourth and short. And now there, elevating into the air in front of a crossing receiver, batting the football away.

The linebacker is big, and he plays even bigger. At 6’3″, 230 pounds, Victor glides across the field–glides and then smashes. He has 31 solo tackles. When he puts his hands on a ball carrier, the ball carrier goes to the ground. It’s as simple as that.

Almost a third of Victor’s solo tackles came in one game, the most significant game the Husky’s have played this year. All by himself, he recorded 10 tackles against an Arizona team that nearly upset Washington’s season. Without him, heaven only knows what could have happened on the field that day. With him, the Huskies prevailed.

Next time you watch Washington’s defense play, watch carefully or don’t. Either way, you’ll remember the number 36.