Jacob Eason, Washington Huskies NFL.
Hunter Bryant, Washington Huskies.
For the Washington Huskies, this year’s NFL Draft was highly disappointing. Only two players, quarterback Jacob Eason, and center Nick Harris were selected, neither of which were on the first two days. That left several former players trying to fight their way on to rosters as undrafted free agents.
Both cut down day, and practice squad signings are over. How did the Huskies 2020 rookie class fare?
Considered raw but talented, quarterback Jacob Eason was an early season favorite to be a potential first or second-day draft selection. His draft stock, however, fell in proportion to the Huskies 8-5 record. The Indianapolis Colts took him in the fourth round and, by all accounts, are quite happy with the pick.
We’ve seen some good things out of Eason. Now, Jacob’s not getting the amount of reps because of Philip (Rivers) and Jacoby (Brissett), but we’ve seen some really good things out of Eason. He’s very attentive, he’s got really good poise, he’s probably a better athlete than you think — probably a little better athlete than I probably gave him credit for. And he’s got a great room to learn in. – Colts GM Chris Ballard on SiriusXM NFL radio
The coaching staff has been nothing but complimentary when asked about the young signal-caller. There is a chance that Eason could be the Colts quarterback of the future. It’s on him to mature and refine his game.
Eason impressed one key person at Colts training camp, starting QB Phillip Rivers.
The Browns love their fifth-round pick, Nick Harris. With incumbent center J.C. Tretter injured in camp, Harris took most of the reps with Cleveland’s first-team offense. Tretter won’t be ready to go in the opener, which leaves the man who started 50 games for the Washington Huskies as a starter in his pro debut. Due to his poise, confidence, and grasp of the team’s offensive system, the Browns are very comfortable with him in that role.
“He has been impressive in the sense that he can communicate all of the various sequences of communications along the line, whether it is the point system or the call system. He can get us in and out of the protection calls that we need to make.” – Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan on clevelandbrowns.com
In a very short time, undrafted tight end Hunter Bryant made a very favorable impression on the Detroit coaching staff. Coming from a pass-oriented Washington Huskies offense, Bryant is an excellent tight end to have as the Lions try to air it out more in 2020. He made the Lions 53-man roster, but a pulled hamstring will keep him on the sidelines for the first few weeks of the season.
Aaron Fuller, Washington Huskies.
Aaron Fuller didn’t need to go far to find a home. After going undrafted, he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks. It was always going to be hard for him to make the opening day roster because Seattle is deep at receiver. Then they signed Josh Gordon two days before camp ended, and Fuller’s chances went out the door. He was cut on Saturday and signed on to the Seahawks practice squad the following day.
2019 Second-team All Pac-12 defensive back Myles Bryant got cut by the New England Patriots, where he signed as an undrafted free agent. Myles was re-signed to the Patriots practice squad shortly after. Due to several opt-outs among Pats DBs, the 5-9 former Washington Huskies standout has a good shot at playing this season.
Benning Potoa’e got the sad news he wasn’t on the opening roster by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The defensive lineman did make the Bucs practice squad after passing through waivers.
Junior running back, Salvon Ahmed left school early to enter the NFL Draft. He went unselected and signed as a UDFA with Sanfrancisco. The Niners waived him, but Miami picked him up. Ahmed didn’t make the Fins opening day roster either. Miami did sign him to the practice squad, so his life in professional ball continues at this time.
Left tackle Trey Adams was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection during his sophomore season of 2016. He looked like a sure first-round pick, but two years of injuries cost him dearly. He fought his way back into the Washington Huskies starting lineup but wasn’t the same in the eyes of the NFL. Buffalo signed him as an undrafted free agent. Adams didn’t make the Bills opening day roster, but they added him to their practice squad a day later. With a little more time to heal, Adams could be a diamond in the rough.
Andre Baccellia, Washington Huskies.
Some of these players were hurt by the league’s decision to cancel preseason games. They never got a chance to show what they could do against similar competition.
Wide receiver Andre Baccellia also signed with New England (after Kansas City cut him). However, he was waived and not brought back the Patriots practice squad. We will have to see if any other team picks him up. There is always room for someone who can run a 4.28 40-yard dash.
Undrafted free agent inside linebacker Brandon Wellington didn’t make the Indianapolis Colts. He wasn’t signed to the team’s practice squad either, leaving him a free agent. Expect Wellington to get a few calls as the season progresses.
Jared Hilbers was a versatile offensive lineman during his four seasons with the Washington Huskies. Signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, they waived him over the weekend and didn’t sign him to their practice squad.
Former Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker became the highest-paid safety in NFL history. He signed a four-year, $59M contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals last week.
So Jake Eason, Nick Harris, and Hunter Bryant have made NFL opening day rosters. We wish them the best in their NFL careers, while rest looking to make their way either on the practice squad or trying to find their way forward. Go Dawgs!