While the Washington Huskies might not be the favorites to land four-star safety Anquon Fegans out of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, they have a sales pitch that no other school in the nation does. Thanks to defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, the Huskies can utilize the nation’s No. 92 overall player in a way unlike any other.
Fegans, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, has a similar frame to one of New England’s best defensive players in recent years, safety Kyle Dugger. Matching Belichick with Fegans, if he were to commit to Washington, would be an exciting match for both.
“The scheme will fit the players,” Belichick said during his press conference last week. “Whatever they’re good at, we’ll find a way to make it work.”
If Fegans were in the room, it would be easy to ask him to play a role similar to what Dugger has done in New England and then some.
In run support, as he continues to add weight and muscle to his frame, Fegans has the chance to be the same sort of player as Dugger against the run. He can line up in the box, has great eyes and is able to identify gaps quickly before making strong tackles, wrapping up ball carriers before they can pick up a head of steam.
Where Belichick would really be able to utilize Fegans is in pass coverage, as he displays better range and ball skills than the Patriots star, while also showing a willingness to come down and play man coverage anywhere in the formation. He’s also an incredibly gifted defender in zone coverage who has become very good at baiting quarterbacks into making difficult throws.
Belichick did a great job playing to player’s strengths during his time in New England, with one of his biggest accomplishments being revitalizing the career of safety Jabrill Peppers. With the opportunity to develop Fegans and play to his strengths right away at the college level, he could help turn him into one of the best safeties in the country.