If the first season under Kelen deBoer is going to be the norm, then his hiring might be the best in the history of Washington Huskies football.
The Dawgs were in turmoil under the previous regime and the program was on a downward trajectory. But when Athletic Director Jen Cohen hired deBoer away from Fresno State, that trajectory immediately turned.
One of the first things he did was to convince an athletic and accurate quarterback by the name of Michael Penix, Jr. to come to Seattle after having a difficult experience at Indiana. As a result, Penix realized his potential and unleashed it on the rest of the Pac-12.
Now players want to stay on Montlake instead of trying to figure out how to get out of there the quickest way possible.
“With the momentum we carried out throughout the end of the year and finishing strong, it’s a big deal,” deBoer said at Pac-12 Media Day. “I think it helped with the energy around the program and it played an impact in retention and guys moving on to the NFL. They wanted to experience a bigger and better year.”
Not only is Penix back for one more season, but perhaps the best receiving duo in the Pac-12 also returns in Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan. The entire support staff, including assistant coaches also all return.
But now the Huskies have to prove they were not a one-hit wonder.
“We’re thankful we have a leader like Mike (Penix), who knows he’s not there yet,” deBoer said. “We’re always building … building leaders and building our program each and every day. I think the No. 1 characteristic of that is humility and Mike certainly has that.”
The Pac-12 media doesn’t think the Huskies are a one-hit wonder as they were picked to finish second in the Pac-12, only behind the overwhelming favorite of USC.
It’s easy to think that as the majority of the 11-2 squad is back. Defensive end Bralen Trice, one of the best edge rushers in the country returns as does linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio. He is joined by former Trojan Ralen Goforth.
Washington does have an “easier” schedule, but they do go to East Lansing to take on Michigan State, a team that was stunned by the Huskies in 2022. If everything goes according to plan, the Dawgs and Ducks could both very well be undefeated when the two meet Oct. 14 in Seattle.