UW secondary full of pups

SEATTLE – To say that the University of Washington’s secondary has been in constant movement would tell only half the story.

It’s been in constant youth movement.

By the end of last season, the UW football team had two freshmen starting in the secondary. Both of those freshmen, now sophomores, have since been replaced by a new pair of true freshmen.

In a secondary that has seen nine different starters already this season, youth is king.

“It’s not because we’re looking to the future,” defensive coordinator Nick Holt said. “We’re playing the guys that we have right now, and they’re doing a good job.”

The Huskies’ current starting lineup includes three freshmen defensive backs: Desmond Trufant at one cornerback, redshirt freshman Adam Long at the other cornerback, and safety Nate Fellner.

Sophomore Quinton Richardson, junior Vonzell McDowell and redshirt freshman Greg Walker have all seen their starting spots get filled by younger teammates during the first eight games of the 2009 season.

“I’ve never seen so many different people start for a team,” Long said.

When Long arrived at training camp in August, the depth chart included five cornerbacks fighting for two starting jobs. Long and Trufant were not among them.

But because of a combination of injury, position changes and subpar play, the players in front of them dropped by the wayside as the two freshmen moved into starting roles.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Long said this week of his role as a starter. “Obviously, I hoped for it. But I never expected to be starting. With Quinton and Vonzell and everyone else, I didn’t think I’d get to.”

In a two-game stint as starter, Long has already impressed the coaches.

“He needs to get more physical, and stronger, but he’s gotten more confidence,” Holt said. “He’s played pretty well, he really has, for someone that hadn’t done much. I’m pleased with him.”

Five different players – Long, Trufant, McDowell, Richardson and Justin Glenn – have started at cornerback this season. The team could get converted wide receiver Anthony Boyles into the mix this weekend after the 6-foot-3 freshman took some snaps with the No. 1 defense Tuesday.

Junior Matt Mosley and freshmen Anthony Gobern, who were initially projected as possible starters, have yet to play cornerback this season.

“Some of those guys, you can’t wait forever,” Holt said about Mosley.

When asked three weeks ago about Richardson’s descent from a starting position, Holt said: “Sometimes he’s his own worst enemy. He gets down on himself. He has to have more confidence.”

The safety position has been almost as unsettled this season. Fellner is the latest starter at a position that has already seen Glenn, Walker, Victor Aiyewa and Nate Williams serve as starters.

The latest youth movement might bode well for the Huskies’ future, and the coaches hope that the future is now.

“A year from now, it’s going to pay off,” Holt said. “But we’re not doing it because of the future. We’re doing it because of necessity. They’re better than the guys that are older than them, quite honestly.”