Campbell, Cree make most of opportunities for Huskies in spring

The conversion to primarily a no-huddle, up-tempo offense may be the story of the spring for the Washington football team.

But along the course of those 15 practices some smaller subplots have also developed. Two of the more intriguing are the emergence of receiver DiAndre Campbell and defensive lineman Connor Cree.

When the Huskies concluded their practice Saturday with about a 65-play scrimmage, Campbell and Cree were each working with the first unit – Campbell as one of three receivers, along with Kasen Williams and Jaydon Mickens, and Cree at defensive tackle.

Neither would necessarily have been expected to be at those spots when the spring began. For the moment, Campbell has moved ahead of senior James Johnson, a former starter who is back healthy after missing last season with an elbow injury. Cree played last season at end but has moved inside this spring and is working as a starting tackle (another candidate, Sione Potoa’e, is limited with a broken finger).

Each turned in big plays during the scrimmage to validate the coaches’ faith as Campbell caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Keith Price while Cree had a sack to help stop a long drive, among several notable plays.

Each is also playing at spots where UW signed several touted recruits who will arrive in the fall, putting a little urgency on making an impression on the coaches in the spring.

“Springtime is when we have a chance to state our case for the fall, and I feel like I have done good there so far,” said Campbell, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Oakland.

UW coach Steve Sarkisian said the move to the no-huddle offense, which puts a premium on quickly processing information, has helped Campbell.

“He’s a great example for our team that when you just keep doing things right, especially when you are in this style of play and playing this up-tempo of an offense, the ability to focus on your job and your task for that next snap, regardless of how tired you may be, that’s something that DiAndre has done a really good job of,” Sarkisian said.

Cree, a Skyline High grad, played sparingly last year as a redshirt freshman, and didn’t record any statistics. But Sarkisian said he’s an example of a player who may simply have needed some time to find his way on the field.

“Sometimes it takes guys a little longer to develop and when they do they can still end up having a really good career,” Sarkisian said.