Washington Football: 3 Takeaways from Fiesta Bowl loss to Penn State

3. Jake Browning needs one more year

Jake Browning looked otherworldly during his incredible sophomore season that netted the Huskies a berth in the College Football Playoff. He posted 43 touchdown passes with nine interceptions, throwing for 3,430 yards. That made a drop off understandable, if not expected.

The severity of his statistical decline was surprising. Entering the Fiesta Bowl Browning had thrown for 2,544 yards with 18 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He did an excellent job of protecting the football, but without NFL speedster John Ross set up out wide Browning couldn’t get the offense clicking. Rather, Washington became a more run dominant team this year.

The teams that were able to shut the Huskies down on the ground were the ones that beat them. Arizona State, Stanford and Utah held the Huskies under 150 yards on the ground; Washington lost two of those three as Browning was held to two combined touchdown passes, both in a 3-point victory over Utah.

Next: Latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft entering bowl season

Browning was just okay against a superb Nittany Lion defense. He completed 18 of 28 for 175 yards and one touchdown. He did not throw an interception. The 2018 NFL Draft is going to have plenty of quarterback depth. It might be wise for Browning to return to school and continue to hone his craft.