Breaking out the crystal ball
The Washington Huskies 2011 campaign was an impressive one. Although the season ended in a disappoint Alamo Bowl loss, the team still put up some big numbers.
In fact, it’s going to be hard for this year’s team to top those numbers.
With some key losses, the offense will need to gain ground in other areas and some younger players will have to step up in a big way.
Not only that, but last year’s horrendous defense seems to be immediately turned around after the firing of Nick Holt and hiring of Justin Wilcox.
Let’s break out the crystal ball and try to predict how these 5 Huskies will do in 2012.
Keith Price
Keith Price will have a hard time topping what he did last season. With key losses of Chris Polk, Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar, Price will have to look to his corps of young receivers and tight ends to make ends meet. He shouldn’t have any issues with that.
Price threw for a school record 33 touchdowns in 2011 and will try to break his own mark this season. He spent the offseason working out in different camps and with QB guru Steve Calhoun.
Calhoun got Price admitted to the Manning Passing Academy, where he worked with several starting QBs around college football under the guidance of instructors and advice from the Manning brothers themselves.
In 2012, he will benefit from sophomore Kasen Williams and tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Michael Hartvigson.
2011 stats: 242 of 362 for 3,063 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. 56 carries, 162 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns
2012 Prediction: 235 of 345 for 3300 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is poised for an even bigger 2012 season
Austin Seferian-Jenkins burst onto the scene in 2011 as a top tight end in the country…as a freshman. The local product impressed many and showed his prowess as just a flat out receiver. With some of the key losses that this Husky team endured, ASJ will have many more opportunities to rack up yardage in this potent offense.
Seferian-Jenkins spent a big portion of his offseason playing basketball. For the Washington Huskies basketball team. In the process, he gained 20 pounds to play basketball and lost it again to get ready for the 2012 football season.
With his new physique, ASJ is already setting himself up for a big year.
- 2011 stats: 42 receptions for 538 yards and 6 touchdowns
- 2012 Prediction: 56 receptions for 986 yards and 11 touchdowns
Kasen Williams
Kasen Williams had a very good showing in 2011 as a freshman. And that is a scary thought because he was the third option in the passing game.
With the graduation of Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar, Williams jumped straight into the #1 spot on the depth chart. While he may get extra coverage now, he still has giant playmaking ability and is extremely athletic.
Going from #3 to #1 receiver will greatly boost his stats. He is already being touted as the best receiver since Reggie Williams. And Husky fans know that’s a big honor.
- 2011 stats: 36 receptions for 427 yards and 6 touchdowns
- (Kearse in 2011: 47 rec/699 yds/7 td, Aguilar in 2011: 41 rec/611 yds/6 td)
- 2012 Prediction: 77 receptions for 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns
Josh Shirley & Andrew Hudson
I know this is supposed to be player predictions, but I am going to predict a unit’s stats. This duo of Josh Shirley and Andrew Hudson are going to be tenacious in 2012.
The defense was poor in 2011, but 2012 is going to be a big improvement with the new coordinators and coaches in place.
Shirley and Hudson are extremely athletic, quick and strong. With a little extra help from the rest of the defensive line, they should have more opportunities to get to the opposing quarterback.
Sean Parker is looking to help bring legitimacy back to the Husky defense
- Shirley’s 2011 stats: 23 solo tackles, 5 assists for 28 total tackles. 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 pass defended, 2 forced fumbles
- 2012 Prediction: 36 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks
- Hudson’s 2011 stats: 10 solo tackles, 14 assists for 24 total tackles. 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass defend, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
- 2012 Prediction: 29 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 6 sacks
Sean Parker
The Husky secondary was pretty bad last year. Even the players will admit it. One of the very few shining lights on defense, though, was safety Sean Parker.
His speed and tenacity made him a force to be reckoned with when offenses were crazy enough to throw in his direction.
With a new look in 2012, Parker is set up to have even more potential to better his 2011 stats.
Which will be hard to do, but if anyone can do it…it’s Parker.
- 2011 stats: 47 solo tackles, 44 assists for 91 total tackles. 4 interceptions, 1.5 tackles for loss, 6 passes defended
- 2012 Prediction: 103 total tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 8 passes defended
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