Former Washington WR John Ross signs deal with Eagles

Former first-round pick John Ross has made his way back to the NFL.

Once known as the fastest man at the NFL combine, former Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross has come out of retirement and signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles following a strong showing at their rookie camp.

Ross will join an already loaded roster in Philadelphia with offensive weapons A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith at wide receiver, and running back Saquon Barkley, all led by All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts. He should fit nicely into new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s scheme thanks to his speed.

Head coach Nick Siriani and special teams coordinator Michael Clay could also be planning for Ross to act as a kickoff and punt returner. The NFL changed the special teams rules for the upcoming season to suit a speedster like Ross, who was clocked at a 4.22 in the 40-yard dash the 2017 NFL combine.

During Ross’ three seasons on Montlake, he collected 109 receptions for 1,701 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns during his college career.

Shortly after Washington’s 2016 Peach Bowl loss to Alabama, he announced he was foregoing his senior year to enter the NFL draft.  He was taken No. 9 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals, spending four seasons with the team before being released and picked up by the New York Giants.

After an injury plagued season he was once again released and spent the 2022 NFL season unsigned. In January 2023, Ross signed a futures contract with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but informed the team in July of his retirement.

Panini America details Rome Odunze’s journey to the NFL

After signing an NIL deal with the trading card company Panini America during his time at Washington, it detailed his remarkable journey to the NFL.

Throughout the NFL draft process, Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze was one of the most popular players among fans and draft analysts alike thanks to his on-field play and likable personality.

Before the NFL, that combination led to him signing an NIL deal with the trading card company Panini America in the summer before the 2023 season.

Now that Odunze’s journey to the NFL is complete after being selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 9 overall pick, Panini detailed his football career as they highlight their “Rated Rookies,” a group that also includes quarterback Michael Penix Jr..

One moment that the All-American keyed in on was his 8-catch, 128-yard, 2-touchdown performance against the Oregon Ducks, where he played through a broken rib and punctured lung.

“That game will always be engrained in my head,” Odunze said. “That was everything I dreamed of and wanted in college football. A packed stadium, rivalry game, the tension doesn’t get higher than that.”

“The overall environment is something I’ll never forget and being able to seal the game with that touchdown before the defense came out and made that stop, it’s a moment that I can replay in my head and I’ll cherish forever.”

Odunze etched his name in Washington’s record books during his final season. His 1,640 receiving yards were the most by any Husky in a single season, finishing his career No. 2 in receiving yards with 3,272, behind only Reggie Williams. He also finished No. 2 all-time in receptions (214) and tied for No. 3 in touchdowns (24).

As he moves to the next level, there are lots of big expectations around him. Combined with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, the two Pac-12 products could form one of the best young quarterback-wide receiver combinations in the NFL on a Chicago offense that desperately needed an infusion of life.

Former Washington Edge Bralen Trice signs rookie deal with Falcons

Former Washington Huskies star Bralen Trice has officially inked his NFL contract.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed their third-round pick, former Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice, to his rookie deal. It is estimated to be worth $5.9 million according to OvertheCap.com, with a projected cap hit of $1.07 million this season, a base salary of $795,000, and a signing bonus of $1.13 million.

“You won’t be regretting this pick at all, Atlanta. Just know I’m showing up and doing everything for you guys,” Trice said after he was selected.

He was the No. 74 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and one of ten Huskies drafted last month. The two-time All-Pac 12 honoree and team captain joins first-round pick and one of Washington’s other 2023 team captains, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta.

The 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge rusher is expected to be an important part of the rotation where new head coach Raheem Morris and Trice’s one-time Washington head coach and current defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake will look to him behind veterans Lorenzo Carter and Arnold Ebiketie.

“[Trice] is another versatile player, tough, instinctive, he can play the run, he can rush the passer,” general manager Terry Fontenot said. “He’s powerful, heavy-handed on the edge, and has an excellent, non-stop motor. I love the way he plays the game and the way he approaches the game.”

Penix remains unsigned at this time.

Washington alum McDaniels helps lead Timberwolves to Western Conference Finals

Former Washington basketball star Jaden McDaniels led the Timberwolves with 23 points in their Game 7 win, which advanced them to the conference finals. Anthony Edwards called him the series MVP.

The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched their spot in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years after defeating the defending champion Denver Nuggets 98-90 in Game 7 on Sunday.

Minnesota survived a poor shooting night from star Anthony Edwards, who was 6-24 from the field and 2-10 from three, as Karl-Anthony Towns and former Washington Huskies standout Jaden McDaniels stepped up to carry the Timberwolves to the win.

McDaniels and Towns each had 23 points to lead Minnesota. Edwards finished with 16. Six Timberwolves scored in double figures, with Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Mike Conley chipping in.

McDaniels has primarily been a defender for Minnesota since being selected with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2020 draft. But he stepped up with the Timberwolves’ backs against the wall, scoring over 20 points in both Game 6 and Game 7 against the reigning champion Nuggets.

After adding 2 blocks and 1 steal in Game 6, and 1 block and 2 steals in Game 7, McDaniels became the second youngest player to record 20 or more points and 3 or more combined steals and blocks in consecutive elimination games.

The youngest? Some guy named Michael Jordan.

McDaniels was also credited as the X-factor for the Timberwolves in a postgame interview with Edwards on TNT and again in Edwards’ postgame press conference with the media.

“Jaden McDaniels was the MVP of the last two series,” Edwards said.

With the win, McDaniels also became the only former Husky to advance to the conference finals this season.

The Timberwolves will face off with the Dallas Mavericks, who defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 on Saturday, in the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 tips off Wednesday evening at 5:30 PST on TNT.

Former Washington WR Ja’Lynn Polk looks comfortable in New England

Former Washington Huskies star Ja’Lynn Polk appears comfortable with the New England Patriots.

One of the most important parts of finding success in Boston is being comfortable in the environment. It appears Ja’Lynn Polk, who is very used to playing under pressure after his final two years with the Washington Huskies, is settling in nicely with the New England Patriots.

There are already high expectations around the No. 37 overall pick, as the organization doesn’t have a positive history of drafting wide receivers and will look for him to step into a major role from day one.

As the Patriots continue to rebuild, Polk looks like an important part of the team’s long-term plans, along with its first-round pick, quarterback Drake Maye. The pair attended a Boston Bruins playoff game on Sunday and went viral on social media for their noticeable chemistry.

That chemistry has already shown up on the field too, as Polk was one of the most impressive players on the field throughout New England’s rookie camp, along with his new friend and running mate Javon Baker.

“They look good,” Maye told Conor Roche of Boston.com. “They made some plays in 7-on-7, I threw a couple behind them, and they still made the catches. I don’t know if we’ve had one on the ground yet, knock on wood. That’s the goal out here: come out here, routes on air, and be 100%. Those guys are going to be some special players.”

Baker appears to be another player that has helped Polk settle in rather quickly, as the fourth-round pick out of Central Florida trained with him before the draft, where the two formed a bond that they now get to continue as they start their NFL careers.

Polk was well-known among Washington media members for his work ethic, as he spent an extra 10-15 minutes after every practice catching passes from a jugs machine and that hasn’t diminished at the NFL level, as the former Washington star said he and Baker spend 13-hour days at New England’s practice facility.

“Me and Javon, after we finish everything, we’ll get our food and before we go to the hotel … we’ll go in there, catch jugs, one of the equipment guys will go in there with us,” Polk said of his routine. “We try to find our routine and schedule and be the best we can be, lead the guys in the room and to feed off the vets and be able to pick their brains and the things they do. It’s exciting to be part of something like this.”

Success is never guaranteed at the NFL level, but if Polk’s track record and work ethic count for anything, he is on the right track heading into his rookie season. [lawrence-related id=3152]

Penix embraces role, adversity, that comes with Atlanta selection

Washington star Michael Penix Jr. is embracing the challenges that came with being selected by the Atlanta Falcons.

General manager Terry Fontenot put former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into a unique situation after the Atlanta Falcons selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in last month’s NFL draft. The team made a significant investment in veteran Kirk Cousins, signing him to a four-year, $180 million deal before using a top 10 pick on the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Cousins was not made aware of the pick before it happened and although the two have connected, many NFL fans still consider the Penix pick a bad decision considering the 35-year-old Cousins’ contract.

No matter his role in his first season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Penix appears to be taking it in stride.

“[Penix] said, ‘My goal is just to be an unselfish teammate. I’m not worried about when I’m playing, if I maximize my potential. All that stuff will get worked out,'” Fowler said Sunday on SportsCenter. “This is a player who embraces the spotlight. He said, ‘I know it’s going to be on me from the beginning. I’m part of the one percent who is in the NFL. I’m going to produce when my time is up.'”

Penix has started to fans over on social media through the first few days of rookie minicamp thanks to his impressive arm talent, as the Falcons have posted multiple clips of him making throws Washington fans are all too familiar with. [lawrence-related id=3373]

Odunze misses day two of Bears minicamp with hamstring tightness

The No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft didn’t participate in the second day of Chicago’s rookie minicamp.

The Chicago Bears made a significant investment in former Washington Huskies star wide receiver Rome Odunze, using the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on him in hopes of building a lethal combination for the foreseeable future with the No. 1 overall pick, USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

However, Odunze was held out of the second day of Chicago’s rookie minicamp with hamstring tightness. This doesn’t appear to be anything to be concerned about moving forward, as a Bears spokesperson called his absence “precautionary,” and general manager Ryan Poles would rather be safe than sorry with the former All-American receiver.

Chicago’s front office appears comfortable being careful with the minor ailment, as Odunze and Williams thrived together on Friday.

“Williams and Odunze looked the part Friday at Halas Hall,” NBC Sports’ Josh Schrock said. “Williams was on time and accurate with almost every pass during the 7-on-7 portion of the day. That included eight completions to Odunze, who moved all around the field during Day 1 of rookie minicamp.

“At one point during the 7-on-7 period, Odunze got jammed getting out of his break, which forced Williams to roll out of the pocket and buy time before hitting him along the sideline for a gain of 18-20 yards. It was the type of off-script playmaking from Williams and ad-libbing from Odunze that the Bears hope to see on Sundays, even if it’s not supposed to be featured in 7-on-7 work.”

Before practice, Odunze also described his relationship with Williams to the media.

“There’s definitely things you can build within a me-and-him relationship. But when considering the offense as a whole is installation and bits and pieces you’re learning together and communicating on together. As a wide receiver and a quarterback, of course, we can go out and build chemistry on timing. He can see where he wants to throw the ball depending on my speed of route and different things that I’m doing out there. When it comes to installation of the offense, that’s why we’re here today.”

[lawrence-related id=3373]

Washington’s best first round picks: No. 8 Desmond Trufant

Washington Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant had a long, successful career with the Atlanta Falcons after being selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Football runs deep in the gene pool of the family for the No. 8 player on our countdown of Washington’s best first-round picks. Desmond Trufant, who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 22 pick of the 2013 draft, is one of three brothers who all played in the NFL.

Mr. and Mrs. Trufant knew the recipe for cornerbacks since all three of their boys played the position. Marcus, the oldest, played for the Seattle Seahawks and was a founding member of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s “Legion of Boom.” His brother, Isaiah, found himself on several different NFL rosters as a cornerback and special teams gunner.

The youngest of the three, Desmond was a stand-out athlete in not just football, but in basketball and track at Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma, Washington. He earned first-team All-Narrows League and first-team All-State honors as both a running back and cornerback during his senior year.

Desmond was also the only member of the Trufant boys to play for Washington, with Marcus playing for Washington State and Isaiah with Eastern Washington. Desmond’s time at Washington that could be deemed by some as the start of UW’s emergence as the new “Defensive Back University,” or DBU.

Trufant proved himself immediately during his time on Montlake, playing in all 12 games during his freshman season, staring 9 of them. He won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman award at the team’s postseason banquet and was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention.

He started all 13 games during his sophomore and junior seasons and won the team’s Don James Perseverance Award as a junior, and started 45 straight games before a hamstring injury against Colorado sidelined him during his senior year.

Despite missing several games, he was still selected to the All-Pac-12 first-team and to the second-team All-America by FoxSportsNext.com. His teammates voted for him as a captain in the 2012 season, and he also won the Guy Flaherty Award, Washington’s oldest and most prestigious honor, at the team’s postseason awards banquet.

After being the third cornerback taken in the 2013 draft, he found himself immediately competing for a starting position in Atlanta. He and Asante Samuel were named the starters by head coach Mike Smith and after Samuel was released in 2014, he was named the team’s top corner.

He went on to play for the Falcons for a total of seven seasons, including in 2016, when Atlanta lost the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots.

He was released by the Falcons in March 2020 and just a week later, Trufant was picked up by the Detroit Lions, who signed him to a two-year $21 million contract. He was released at the end of the season after he was placed on injured reserve.

Desmond signed with the Chicago Bears in 2021, but had to leave camp after the death of his father. He wound up playing 10 games that season with the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders .

At his peak, Trufant was one of the best defenders in the league and became a dynamic cover corner, tallying some impressive numbers in his career with 366 tackles, 6 sacks, 14 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries.

Former Washington WR John Ross invited to try out with Philadelphia Eagles

Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross could be making a return to the NFL, as he accepted an invite to try out with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Former Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross, who has been out of the NFL since 2021, has been invited to try out with the Philadelphia Eagles at their rookie minicamp this week.

Ross was well known for holding the title of the “fastest man at the NFL combine” until early March when Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy claimed the title from him with a blazing 4.21 40-yard dash.

During his time on Montlake, he missed the 2015 season after an ACL tear during spring camp, but returned in 2016 with a historic year, reeling in 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. He decided to forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft after it was discovered he had a torn labrum in his shoulder, which he suffered during the 2016 Peach Bowl in a loss to Alabama.

Ross was selected with the No. 9 pick in the 2017 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and spent four seasons with them before signing as a free agent with the New York Giants. During his five seasons in the league he amassed 62 receptions for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In January 2023, he signed a futures contract with the Kansas City Chiefs but in July, Ross announced he was retiring. It appears this invite has enticed him to reconsider his future.

The NFL’s new rules on kickoff returns could be very well suited for Ross’ skill set, since every player on the kicking team other than the kicker will now line up with at least one foot on the returning team’s 40-yard line.

If he makes the team, Ross could display his elite speed once again at Lincoln Financial Field this season.

Washington’s best first round picks: No. 9 Jake Locker

Jake Locker was one of the best and highest-drafted players in Washington Huskies history.

Next up on our Huskies Wire countdown of Washington’s best first-round picks is quarterback Jake Locker. Not only was Locker a glimmer of hope in a very dark time for Washington football, but he remains the only UW quarterback to be taken in the first round of the NFL draft, where he was selected by the Tennessee Titans at No. 8 overall in 2011.

Known to most Husky fans as “Montlake Jake,” he almost chose a different career path after being drafted by the Anaheim Angels during his senior year at Ferndale High School in Ferndale, Washington. Locker opted to spurn Major League Baseball, choosing to pursue football instead.

As a redshirt freshman in 2007, Locker was honored as the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, headlined by a legendary performance against the Arizona Wildcats where he passed for 300 yards and rushed for 100 in the game.

That year, Locker set the school’s all-time record for rushing and passing yards from a freshman, passing touchodwns from a freshman, and rushing yards from a quarterback.

2008 was a difficult year for Locker, headlined by a controversial call in a game against BYU where he threw the ball up in the air and was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, even though the act appeared to come from frustration. He later apologized for his actions, just a few weeks before his season ended prematurely following a broken thumb he suffered against the Stanford Cardinal.

2009 had many ups and downs, as Locker led the Huskies to knock off the No. 3 USC Trojans 16-13, which vaulted UW into the AP rankings for the first time since 2003. The rest of the year didn’t go quite as well and head coach Steve Sarkisian finished with a 5-7 record in his first year at the helm.

After the season, Locker had a difficult choice to make: enter the NFL draft or return to Washington. Even though many thought he could have been the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, it was reported that the NFL Collegiate Advisory Committee didn’t give him a first round grade before he ultimately made the decision to return to Montlake.

During his final year, he passed for 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the Huskies to a 7-6 record, ending his career by leading Washington to a win against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl in the team’s first bowl game since 2003.

He also earned the Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award at Washington’s annual postseason awards banquet in 2009 and 2010.

After being selected by the Titans, he signed a four-year, $12 million contract. He spent most of his rookie season as a backup to quarterback Matt Hasselback and finished the season with 5 touchdowns, 4 passing and 1 rushing, seeing action in five games in relief of Hasselback.

2012 started with a quarterback battle in Nashville between the two options. Locker won the starting job in August before suffering a tear in his non-throwing shoulder on September 30. He took the role back in November and went on to finish the season with 177 completions, 2,176 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 291 yards and 1 touchdown over 11 games.

Locker’s 2013 season was plagued by injuries after he got off to a great start with two big wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers. In a late September matchup with the New York Jets, he was hit by two defenders and suffered a hip injury that kept him off the field for three games. Then in November, he experienced a Lisfranc injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars that ended his season.

2014 was also riddled by injuries and he found himself sidelined three times with different ailments before making the decision to retire in 2015, citing that he had lost his love for the game as his primary reason for stepping away.

He married former UW softball player Lauren Greer, and the couple resides in Ferndale with their four children.