Washington Huskies 2022 Offensive Player of the Year candidates
It’s a new era for Washington Huskies football. As the UW players go through spring practice, who will be their next offensive player of the year?
Halfway through spring practice, the Washington Huskies are learning their new offensive system. Who will take the mantle and become the team’s offensive MVP? We look at the leading candidates.
Quarterback
Right now, the starting quarterback job is up for grabs. All three candidates, Michael Penix Jr.., Dylan Morris, and Sam Huard, are getting equal time playing with the first unit.
There is a good case to be made for any of the three. Penix was electrifying at times at Indiana when he wasn’t injured. Meanwhile, Morris is a two-year starter at UW but struggled in former offensive coordinator John Donovan’s system last year. Huard was the top quarterback prospect in the country in 2021. The Huskies’ legacy has all the raw tools to be a breakout star. The competition might not be decided until the end of fall camp.
Receiver
UW has a talented group of receivers. No matter who the quarterback is, the top offensive player could come out of this group. Sophomores Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk are the likely starters. Odunze and McMillan are the headliners. Polk, a transfer from Texas Tech, fractured his sternum in the opener and missed all but the final two games.
All three are considered deep threats. However, the Washington Huskies’ will be using more of a west coast offense under head coach Kalen DeBoer. Success could come down to who breaks through for long gains.
Their’ second unit of receivers is pretty good as well. Giles Jackson, Taj Davis, and Lonyatta Alexander can make plays. Last season Jackson’s job was primarily as a punt and kickoff returner. He also ran the ball several times on sweeps and caught a few passes as well. Now in his second season at Washington after transferring from Michigan, Jackson hopes to make an even bigger impact.
In Polk’s absence, Davis started in 6 of the 11 games he played. Last spring, he wasn’t listed on the depth chart but made a huge impression in the fall. Alexander is a local kid coming home to play for the Huskies after transferring from Arizona State after playing two games as a true freshman. He was Huard’s high school teammate, and the two had good chemistry.
Jalen McMillan coming out party 10-175-1 #Devy pic.twitter.com/IqJxEQoFjA
— Greg Brandt (@devywarehouse) September 18, 2021
Running Back and Tight End
Running back is a position in flux. Richard Newton and Cameron Davis are the top returners. Both are injured right now. While they are out, walkon Camden Sirmon and New Mexico transfer Aaron Dumas are taking the majority of reps. This week, Will Nixon announced he was transferring to UW after two seasons at Nebraska. Any of them could emerge as the Washington Huskies’ lead back.
Don’t forget about tight end Devin Culp as an outside candidate for offensive MVP. He did well last year replacing injured Cade Otten.
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The Washington Huskies should have a better team in 2022 with a new coach and new systems after a disappointing 2021 season. We look forward to seeing who emerges as the biggest offensive threat. GO Dawgs!