Huskies counting on freshman receivers

Nov 7, 2013, 12:00 AM

Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian has said over and over that this UW team has one thing his previous ones didn’t: depth. Now, it’s time for the Huskies to prove it. Without wide receiver Kasen Williams, who is out for the year with a leg injury, the Huskies put an emphasis on their freshman receivers in practice during the bye week to get them ready for the rest of the season. So far, Sarkisian is encouraged by their progress. “Guys are performing well, and we’re going to need them all,” Sarkisian said. “We’re at a point now in the season where the number of plays we’re running, the pace we’re operating at, we feel really good about our six guys that they can go in and play. We’re confident that they’ll do a good job.” In Williams’ place, sophomore Marvin Hall and freshman Damore’ea Stringfellow were listed as co-starters on the depth chart the Huskies released this week. In order to keep senior Kevin Smith healthy, Sarkisian said Smith won’t return kicks anymore. That duty will fall to a pair of freshmen who have caught the coaching staff’s eyes: Stringfellow and John Ross. Last weekend, Ross broke through the Cal’s kick coverage and raced for what everyone thought was the UW’s first kick return touchdown since 2007. Despite losing his return after a holding penalty, Ross said that it gave him confidence moving forward. “Now I know what I’m capable of,” Ross said Wednesday. “Now that I know that it looks like that with our guys blocking the way they did, I know it’s not the only one I’m going to get with these guys. I understand now that if I run north and south, it makes it easier.” Both Ross and Stringfellow will see more time on offense with Williams out. Ross said this week, the young receivers in particular have been steady and are getting ready to make an impact. “Everyone is stepping up,” Ross said. “We’re looking real good. We all understand that [Williams’ injury] was a tragedy and a freak accident, but we’re looking good at practice, and we hope it translates to the game.” Meanwhile, the man who has to throw the ball to those young receivers, Keith Price, said he has seen major improvements. “They understand that they need to be good,” Price said. “They understand that we need them in order to continue to make our offense work. I think they’ll be ready.” Notes: — Once again, safety Will Shamburger was wearing a yellow, no-contact jersey at practice Wednesday. However, guard Dexter Charles, who missed the last two games and cornerback Kevin King have been back at practice this week. — With Williams out, Sarkisian said Hall will handle punt returns. Hall has returned three punts for 35 yards this season. Reach reporter Daniel Rubens at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @drubens12

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