Huskies Accomplish Their Goals

Rick Neuheisel wanted speed, defensive linemen and depth on the offensive line.

Looking at the University of Washington’s football recruiting class of 2000, Neuheisel said he got exactly that.

With 12 of the 26 recruits coming from within the state, Neuheisel also sent a message that the program is constructing a fence around the state to keep other programs away.

“By and large, we got all those things accomplished,” Neuheisel said.

Led by offensive tackle Dan Dicks of Bellevue High School, the Huskies made perhaps their greatest strides in the offensive line. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Dicks, along with Ryan Brooks (6-6, 290) of Richland, Aaron Butler (6-4, 290) of Lakes, Brandon Lockheart (6-6, 330) of Compton, Calif., and Andre Reeves (6-5, 340) of Wilson, UW has more than enough size up front for a next few years.

The Huskies need it. Elliot Silvers, Dominic Daste, Chad Ward, Matt Fraize and Zach McCall all will be seniors next season. And if someone can step in and help immediately, it will give Neuheisel a chance to redshirt Wes Call, a promising JC transfer last year.

“We could lose as many as six guys (next year) in our offensive line,” Neuheisel said. “Those guys we got are going to be a formidable line for us.”

Speed comes from the new wideouts, a position that could use it. Recruits RayShon Dukes of Carson, Calif., and Justin Robbins of River Ridge both can break big plays.

Running back Derrick Johnson of Riverside, Calif., cornerback Roc Alexander of Colorado Springs, Colo., running back Sean Sweat of Oceanside, Calif., and cornerback Robert Maddox of Compton, Calif., all have track in their backgrounds and can flat fly.

That, more than anything, may earn them early playing time.

“Some of the speed guys we would love to come in and figure into our depth chart next fall,” Neuheisel said. “Speed and big plays are areas where we can become much better.”

The Huskies also signed Marcus Roberson, a 6-4, 285-pound defensive lineman from Mount San Antonio (Calif.) College rumored to be leaning toward Oregon. He, along with Khalif Barnes (6-4, 240) of Spring Valley, Calif., Junior Coffin (6-4, 245) of Olympic and Graham Lasee (6-5, 235) of Sehome have ample quickness.

Grady Sizemore of Cascade, Neuheisel said, would get a look at quarterback, simply because of his athletic ability.

Notes

Offensive tackle Adis Davtyan, who came to Washington last year out of Glendale Community College, has transferred to Portland State… . Quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo has elected to quit the baseball team and concentrate solely on football. Tuiasosopo, a baseball standout at Woodinville High School, had been practicing with the baseball team since Jan. 16.