Pac-12 Football: Each team’s most important newcomer for 2020

These days in college football, there is an expectation of a five-star recruit. Coming on campus this highly touted means you are expected to contribute day one. Sav’ell Smalls comes to the Huskies as their lone five-star player.

He instantly upgrades their defensive line group. He should come in and compete for snaps right away. Smalls is a superior athlete playing offense, defense, and special teams in high school. The Under Armor All-American is the prototypical hybrid defender.

Smalls played all over the field in high school. He played receiver on offense and lined up both at defensive end and linebacker as well. He is comfortable playing standing or with his hand in the turf and he’s athletic enough to drop into coverage as well.

Jimmy Lake and the Huskies’ staff will love his nose for the football. He is an instinctual player who diagnoses early and reacts to what he sees. His eyes rarely deceive him as well. He plays with burst and pace.

Smalls enhances an already impressive group of pass rushers led by Ryan Bowman and Joe Tryon. Since Bowman and Tryon got most of the sacks last season, Smalls’ addition to the rotation will be welcomed.