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Washington Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) reacts during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) reacts during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Jordan Miller (23) high-fives fans as he comes out onto the field to warm-up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Jordan Miller (23) high-fives fans as he comes out onto the field to warm-up before a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Secondary replacements

Washington had a stout offense in 2016, but their defense was also highly-regarded. Kevin King, Sidney Jones and Budda Baker were all terrific in the secondary and made for one of the Pac-12’s best defensive backfields. However, they’re all gone, having left for the 2017 NFL Draft. It makes for an almost impossible task of replacing such a talented secondary.

The player to watch for will be cornerback Jordan Miller, who led the team in interceptions in 2016. As Saturday Blitz notes, Miller only played as a reserve, taking a backseat to Baker, Jones and King. With a primary role being given to the Oceanside, CA native, he’ll need to show the ability to be that true shutdown corner. So, the pressure will be on him to step up immediately, starting with locking down whichever Washington receiver he’s lined up against in the spring game.

Besides Jones, the rest of the playing time will be handed to inexperienced players and freshmen, who haven’t stepped onto the field for a regular season game. That may mean we see unexpected names emerge, all of whom will work with Miller to keep this secondary elite.

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