Tag: Washigton Huskies Football

Social media reacts to Steve Belichick’s first media appearance

Huskies defensive coordinator Steve Belichick gave a tongue-in-cheek response about what sets him apart from his Super Bowl winning father.

New Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Steve Belichick met with the media on Wednesday prior to the start of spring practice next week. Belichick, head coach Jedd Fisch, and offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll took questions during the session, the group’s first interaction with the media as a whole.

Belichick is, of course, the son of legendary Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Carroll is a Seattle legacy, the son of former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. With so much NFL blood at the table, both men were asked how they’re similar to their famous fathers.

Carroll gave a solid answer, referencing his father’s golden rule: “Be yourself.” He called himself “his mother’s son” and warning the assembled media that he may not always act the same way the elder Carroll did during his time in Seattle.

Belichick answered next, beginning his answer in classic family fashion by pointing out that both men coach football first and foremost. But then, the younger Belichick pointed out a key difference between he and his dad:

Social media quickly latched onto the quote. College football commentator Mike Golic Jr., a fellow son of a famous football figure, insinuated the Huskies defensive coordinator had been waiting for this moment:

YouTuber Brandon Perna of That’s Good Sports called Belichick his new favorite coach in college football.

Senior writer at The Athletic and Big Ten Network studio analyst Nicole Auerbach had a simple reaction.

Boston Globe reporter Conor Ryan had a similarly simple response, expressing his shock at the younger Belichick’s audacity.

FOX Sports reporter Carmen Vitali apologized for not realizing Steve Belichick was capable of a quote like that:

Patriots reporter Taylor Kyles also weighed in, with a GIF expressing his shock at Belichick’s words.

Fisch did offer an olive branch later in the press conference, confirming that the elder Belichick will be around the Huskies program for five days next week as they kick off spring practice. Bill Belichick is also one of the keynote speakers at Washington’s coaching clinic next weekend.

Former Washington DL commit to return to campus on an official visit

The Washington Huskies are still in the mix for a top defensive line prospect who decommitted following Kalen DeBoer’s departure.

When Josiah Sharma committed to Kalen DeBoer and the Huskies hours before Washington beat Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl, the old coaching staff earned the pledge of a promising defensive tackle prospect who was still somewhat unknown among national recruiting circles.

Sharma decided to decommit following DeBoer’s departure for Alabama and in the last two months has become a nationally sought after recruit, ranked by the 247 Sports Composite as the nation’s No. 30 defensive tackle and the best interior defensive lineman west of Texas.

He now holds 17 offers, including Alabama, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas, and is ranked as a four-star prospect by the 247 Sports Composite.

The fact that there are not a lot of high-caliber defensive line recruits was not lost on coach Jedd Fisch’s staff, who quickly re-offered the 6-foot-5, 295-pound product of Folsom High School in California. Defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi became the first to schedule an official visit with the former Washington commit, who will take a trip to Seattle on May 11.

With a projectable body type and promising frame, Sharma displays very good athleticism for his size on tape and has potential to be an impactful pass rusher from the interior as he refines his pass rushing technique.

As the Huskies continue to explore every corner of the country looking for reinforcements at defensive tackle, Sharma has emerged as one of the most important recruits for Fisch’s staff in its first recruiting cycle.

Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk will be a strong contributor in the NFL

Ja’Lynn Polk is a high-floor player that could be a major contributor in the NFL for whatever team that decides to draft him in April.

Former Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk was an important piece of coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense following an injury that sidelined Jalen McMillan for nearly two months. As quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s second target, Polk reeled in 69 catches for 1,159 yards and 9 touchdowns and adding a rushing score.

After mainly playing in the slot in 2022, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb asked Polk to line up on the outside more in 2023. Not only did Polk showcase his strong hands and the ability to take hits over the middle of the field, but he also displayed a work ethic that he believes sets him apart from most other receivers.

“I’m different. That’s how I carry myself,” Polk told the media at the NFL combine. “Everybody’s always doing the same thing, but for me, I’m always trying to find ways that I can separate myself. I try to do that each and every day, crafting everyday, trying to be different.”

“For example, before the Oregon game in the Pac-12 Championship – coach [JaMarcus Shephard] can vouch for me – I went out on the field and I’m catching JUGS and I’m trying to make sure I’m ready for when that moment comes. When the lights go off, I’m still out there catching JUGS. So you know, just small things like that, getting in early, trying to make sure that I’m dialed in on the script and ready to go.”

That’s something that wasn’t limited to the Pac-12 championship game, which any member of Washington’s media can attest to.

At the end of every practice, while coaches and players were giving interviews, Polk was always the last person on the field, spending an extra 15-20 minutes with the JUGS machine working on his hands, which showed up in big moments for the Huskies and should continue in the NFL.

Polk has one of the highest floors of any receiver in this draft and has the ability to put up solid numbers right away at the next level between his reliability and ability as a route runner.

In an offense where he can consistently be utilized as a security blanket for his quarterback, Polk could have a long, productive career in the NFL.