Washington football has made it through spring ball and it’s time to look forward to the 2018 season. What’d we learn about the Huskies this spring?
Although Washington finished its 2017 season with an 10-3 record, many fans feel like the Huskies didn’t quite live up to their potential. They made the Fiesta Bowl, losing to Penn State and ending the season without a playoff berth or conference title.
Just one season after making the College Football Playoff as the Pac-12 champ, Washington fell short of its goals and Chris Petersen had to settle for a New Year’s Six bowl appearance.
The Huskies bring back All-Pac-12 quarterback Jake Browning and top running back Myles Gaskin, along with one of the best defensive backfields in the nation. They had a strong showing this spring, flashing playoff potential for the 2018 season.
What’d we learn about the Huskies this spring?
5. Keith Taylor is a budding star in the secondary
As a freshman, Keith Taylor played minimally in Washington’s elite secondary. He finished the year with just eight total tackles and a pass deflection, but he stood out this spring as one of the team’s breakout stars.
Washington was ranked No. 32 in the nation in passing yards allowed per game last season, but the Huskies return just about everyone, including JoJo McIntosh, Taylor Rapp, Austin Joyner, Byron Murphy and Jordan Miller. This could be the best defensive backfield in the Pac-12 and add in Taylor and you may have the deepest as well.
The former four-star cornerback from Anaheim, Calif., stands 6-2 and weighs in at 193 pounds. With Joyner hurt this spring, Taylor has been practicing with the first-team defense, which is a great sign for the Huskies.
Looks like another budding star for Washington.