Washington Football: 5 reasons Huskies will win 2017 national title
By Zach Bigalke
3. Defense should be fine despite several major departures
In 2016, the Huskies ranked eighth nationally as they allowed fewer than 18 points per game. Teams managed just 316 yards on average against the Huskies, as the secondary gave up fewer than 185 passing yards and the front seven held teams under 135 rushing yards per game.
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No team forced more turnovers than the Huskies did in 2016. Their 33 turnovers gained were the product of a team that ranked eighth with 19 interceptions and fifth with 14 fumbles recovered. They also ranked 19th in red zone defense, seventh in opponent third-down conversion rate, and finished 19th in team sacks.
At first glance, Washington’s defense could be in a bit of trouble this season. The team lost four starters in the 2017 NFL Draft and a fifth to graduation. Three starters from the Huskies’ game-breaking secondary were called in the second round of the draft in April. Defensive tackle Elijah Qualis also landed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round.
But the team does have back six of its seven top linebackers, and the defensive line has a relatively deep two-deep across the board led by tackles Vita Vea and Greg Gaines. There is also plenty of young talent ready to step up in the secondary. A trio of four-star talents are waiting in the wings from this year’s recruiting class, ready to challenge safeties JoJo McIntosh and Ezekiel Turner and cornerbacks Taylor Rapp and Jordan Miller for playing time.