Washington Huskies: Replacing NFL-bound corners

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Mar 13, 2022
Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies football.

With three cornerbacks headed to the NFL, the Washington Huskies defense has some big holes to fill for next season.

Washington Huskies defensive backs Trent McDuffie, and Kyler Gordon decided to enter the 2022 NFL Draft. The duo most likely realizes their draft value won’t be any higher than it is right now.

Knowing that injuries can happen and professional careers don’t last long it was time for both to make the jump. While it may be the right move for them, it does make things difficult for the Husky program.

A third member of the starting defensive backfield, Brendan Radley-Hiles also entered the draft early. A transfer from Oklahoma, Radley-Hiles primarily played last season at nickel back.

The choice was somewhat unexpected given that Radley-Hiles is not projected as high as McDuffie and Gordon. Those two are expected to go in the first two rounds. He is more likely to go in the middle to late rounds. That makes three NFL-caliber players from Washington’s defensive backfield headed to the pros. So what happens now?

 Same but different

The Huskies under Kalen DeBoer will likely play the same general defensive formation as they did with Jimmy Lake. The biggest difference is that DeBoer may use his defensive backs more as blitzers. A system like that not only requires quality starters but depth as well. With the drain of talent, do the Washington Huskies have players ready to step up into larger roles?

Choose your weapon

A pair of talented sophomores come back for the Washington Huskies in 2022. Jacobe Covington, the backup to McDuffie, and Mishael Powell who backed up Kyler Gordon will be tasked with stepping up. It’s easier said than done, but necessary for the team’s success.

Another question to answer is who will backup Covington and Powell. First up is Kamren Fabiculanan who backed up Radley-Hiles last year. Fabiculanan, a sophomore as well, has been in the Huskies program for three years.

A starter for the 2021 opener against Montana, he played in eight games. His versatility means he could either start at nickel back or provide depth both in the slot and outside.

Other options

The Huskies have five safeties with lots of experience, Alex Cook, Dominique Hampton, Asa Turner, Cameron Williams, and Julius Irvin. One of them could move to nickel back.

Washington expects Jordan Perryman, a senior transfer from UC-Davis, to add depth at safety or outside linebacker so he can also help in coverage at times.

The Huskies have other young players contending for playing time, however, they lack experience. There’s always the chance one of the true or redshirt freshmen makes a leap and takes on a larger role. This spring the coaches will see who steps up in camp.

Go Dawgs!

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