Growing Connection: Huard to Egbuka
Like most people during the Covid-19 pandemic Sam Huard has made the most of what limited opportunities have come his way.
Huard, a five-star quarterback commit to the University of Washington, received an invite to the Elite 11 finals in Nashville, Tennessee as one of the top prep signal-callers in mid-June.
Due to an unfortunate circumstance, however, Huard wasn’t able to compete after being around someone who had tested positive for Covid-19. The UW pledge tested negative, but based on the two-week quarantine mandate that the Elite 11 had in place it forced Huard to stay in the Pacific Northwest.
Nevertheless, the southpaw has remained busy this offseason despite not being able to compete on the 7-on-7 circuit for Ford Sports Performance.
Over the past few months Huard and another five-star recruit, Steilacoom High School wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, have met up on a number of occasions to play catch and grow their connection off the field.
Egbuka, ranked as the No. 11 prospect overall by Rivals in the 2021 recruiting class and the No. 1 wide receiver in the country, has played for Heir Football 7-on-7 and Steilacoom but never been on the same team as Huard.
“It’s been awesome throwing to him. I could definitely get used to it,” Huard said, adding a light-hearted laugh. “Me and him, we were never really able to throw throughout our high school years. Since quarantine hit about a month and a half ago we reached out to each other and said ‘lets start throwing together.”
Over the past three months Huard and Emeka have thrown together four or five times, including last Thursday when both sported the latest All-American Bowl gear. Both players are already slated to play in the showcase game on January 2, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas.
On May 15, Egbuka released his final four schools: Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma and UW in no particular order. UW wide receivers coach Junior Adams has done his part to keep the Huskies in the mix as has Huard.
However, when the two have gotten together for their throwing sessions the focus has been about the ball, no the logo.
“Just met up and been throwing the ball together and building that connection, just kind of getting to know each other and it’s been great,” Huard said.
“You can definitely see why he’s the best receiver in the country. Just the way he can go track the ball. How great his routes are. His worth ethic. He’s definitely one of a kind.”
While Egbuka remains uncommitted another Evergreen State wide receiver has decided to join Huard at UW, three-star Kennedy Catholic product Jabez Tinae. The two have known each other dating back to when they played eighth grade 7-on-7 with FSP.
Over the last three years the two have connected for 16 touchdowns and over 100 completions, with hope that both will have the opportunity to add to their career numbers this fall.
Huard was complementary of his current and future teammate when asked about Tinae’s decision.
“The (first) time I watched him run routes and catch the football I knew he was special,” he said. “I’m sure everyone else who comes and watches us play can just notice his talent is far above everyone else. I’m so excited he decided to stay home and come play with me again for four more years.
“He’s one of the most talented football players that I’ve ever met. He’s a great teammate. He’s a hard worker and he’s really going to make an impact right away.”
Having the connection that Huard has with Tinae could be vital this fall without either having the ability to complete the 7-on-7 season this year. Due to the Coronavirus shutdown which resulted in spring football being cancelled for colleges across the country, it also prevented Huard from being able to watch the new UW offense out at practice.
However, he was able to join in on a meeting with UW offensive coordinator John Donovan and the current quarterbacks on the roster a month ago. From what Huard has learned – and what he is willing to divulge – the five-star signal-caller is more than excited to see how it gets executed.
“I have a great relationship with coach Donovan. He’s the best,” Huard said of his relationship with the Huskies OC. “Just seeing it on Zoom and his goals, his ideas and his plan for what he wants it’s definitely exciting. He’s a great coach and he know what he’s doing for sure. I have zero doubt that he’ll get it rolling.”
Huard is ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2021 class and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback behind Georgia commit Brock Vandagriff. Both prospects are expected to play a key role in the recruitment of four-star Napa (Calif.) tight end Brock Bowers, who recently took a visit to Athens, Ga.
Bowers is slated to tour the campus at UW in late July and Huard is expected to play a potential role as well since the Husky coaches aren’t able to interact with recruits while they are on campus due to the dead period.
Recruits are allowed to take campus tours at their own expense and Bowers is doing just that before he makes his commitment prior to the start of his senior season. If Huard can flex his recruiting muscle it would give the Huskies a pair of four-star tight ends in this years’ class.