Questions aplenty for Huskies

SEATTLE – Before Jake Locker can begin his quest to live up to the Heisman hype, Steve Sarkisian can try to knock USC and Oregon off the Pac-10 hill or the University of Washington football team can start talking about the rebirth of a program, the Huskies have some baby steps that await them in the coming days and weeks.

When UW’s training camp opens up Monday at Husky Stadium, Locker and Co. will have plenty of work to do just to get back to where the 2009 Huskies finished. The all-out enthusiasm that has hit the program for the first time in about seven years will take a backseat to some pressing issues that await the 2010 squad.

Here are several questions the Huskies must answer as the season approaches.

Who’ll lead the defense? The inconsistent unit has plenty of players who have seen extensive action, but the UW defense is also trying to figure out how to replace senior leaders Donald Butler and Daniel Te’o-Nesheim. Some obvious candidates are vocal seniors Nate Williams, Cameron Elisara (Ferris High) and Mason Foster, but the bigger question involves who will emerge as the playmakers now that Butler and Te’o-Nesheim have taken their talents to the NFL.

What’s my line? UW’s offensive line has seen some serious shuffling since last season, and that could be a good thing. The group wasn’t physical enough last season and needed a shakeup. Left tackle Senio Kelemete (from guard), left guard Ryan Tolar (from center) and center Drew Schaefer (from tackle) are among the projected starters who have changed positions.

How healthy are they? Sophomore running back Chris Polk (shoulder) is among the key contributors coming back from injury. Polk didn’t participate in spring practices, but Sarkisian pronounced him “100 percent healthy” and ready to go. If he can make it through the camp with a clean bill of health, it would be a huge plus for the UW offense.

Who’s got the job? As many as six starting jobs on defense are up for grabs as camp opens, including both defensive end positions. Untested players like safety Will Shamburger, defensive lineman Chris Robinson and safety-turned-outside-linebacker Victor Aiyewa could find themselves in battles for starting jobs from the outset.

Who’ll rush the passer? Te’o-Nesheim has been the Huskies’ only consistent pass rusher in recent memory, so his loss could be immense. Injuries at defensive end, along with the indefinite suspension to projected starter Andru Pulu, further hampered UW’s defensive front.

Will Middleton be missed? By all indications, junior Chris Izbicki was outperforming starting tight end Kavario Middleton at spring practices. But when Middleton got kicked off the team for an undisclosed violation of team policy last month, it pretty much cemented Izbicki’s spot as a starter.