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Washington Football: 5 bold predictions for the Huskies in 2017

By Andrew Miller

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies runs off the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning #3 of the Washington Huskies runs off the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Paris Penn #2 of the Portland State Vikings rushes against linebacker Azeem Victor #36 of the Washington Huskies on September 17, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Paris Penn #2 of the Portland State Vikings rushes against linebacker Azeem Victor #36 of the Washington Huskies on September 17, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

4. Huskies have best linebacking corps in Pac-12

The anchor of the Washington defense should be their linebackers. Led by senior inside linebacker Azeem Victor, the Huskies return three seniors and one talented redshirt freshman in Amandre Williams. Even if Williams does not perform as expected, junior Trevis Bartlett sits in waiting.

Victor will be a top three round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He possesses all the talent in the world to become the next great Washington linebacker in the NFL. As long as both outside linebackers (Williams and redshirt senior Connor O’Brien) hold up their end, every opponent that faces Washington will have trouble against all four of their linebackers.

The other linebacker to watch is redshirt senior Keishawn Bierria, who will start alongside Victor at the inside linebacker spot. Bierria is a four-year starter that has 180 total career tackles and 6.5 career sacks.

With so much turnover in the secondary, the linebackers will help ease the overall transition for this Washington defense.

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