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Washington Football: 5 players to watch in 2017 spring game

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP semifinal at the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) scores a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) scores a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Lavon Coleman is still on the roster this year, and the senior tailback was second in the Pac-12 last year with 7.5 yards per carry. But he’s still probably going to be the change-of-pace option behind junior workhorse Myles Gaskin.

After rushing for over 1000 yards as a true freshman in 2015 and as a sophomore last year, Gaskin should top the depth chart yet again. For Washington to take the next step, he’ll need to elevate his performance against teams like USC and Alabama.

What you’ll want to avoid is reading too much into the amount of practice time Gaskin gets this spring. Like Browning, Gaskin will probably have his time scaled back as they try to keep him fresh for the carries that count. Coleman will probably see more work in the spring game, and it will be tempting to interpret that as a shift in workload.

Watch to see what Gaskin does with the carries he does get, as it will tell a lot not only about his condition but also the state of the offensive line.

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