White, Sampson make most of second chances

For a time, it seemed that neither linebacker Scott White nor tailback Shelton Sampson would be around for their senior seasons as Washington Huskies.

For their own reasons, each had decided to give up the golden helmets, the walks down the stadium tunnel, and autumn afternoons at Husky Stadium.

Sampson walked away last season after being shifted to the defensive secondary. White did the same early in fall camp after being passed on the depth chart by junior Dan Howell.

Eventually, each asked to return.

In each case, coach Tyrone Willingham agreed.

“I wish I could quote this one correctly, but I think somewhere it is written, ‘He without sin, let him cast the first stone,’ ” Willingham said when asked to explain his decision. “Well said.”

Not only were the players allowed back, but each recently had something precious returned to them: Sampson’s scholarship was restored, and White will be back in the starting lineup Saturday when the season opens against San Jose State.

White received the news Friday, when he also learned he would be shifted to the weakside linebacker spot manned last season by Evan Benjamin.

“I had to move my position so we could get the best three linebackers on the field at the same time,” White said Wednesday. “I had a pretty good camp, worked hard. I missed a little bit of time with a concussion, but then I came back and did everything the coaches asked me to do.”

The coaches had a long list of requests – demands, really.

White was told he would have to start at the bottom as a third-team linebacker. He would have to take his turn on scout special teams. Willingham also encouraged White to lead, work harder, and mentor the young linebackers.

White agreed.

“I told him, ‘I’m here for you,’ White said. “And he told me I’m going to have every opportunity to be successful – just come in and work.”

Notes

UW defensive coordinator Kent Baer said the final starting job up for grabs on the UW defense – the tackle competition between Donny Mateaki and Jordan Reffett – remains undecided, although Mateaki would probably start if the game were today. … Previously injured defensive end Greyson Gunheim (knee) and cornerback Dashon Goldson (ankle) practiced Tuesday and looked good. … Willingham said the true freshmen most likely to play Saturday are fullback Paul Homer and linebacker Donald Butler.