UW finished with the second-highest sack total in Chris Petersen’s first season as head coach back in 2014. Over the last four seasons the number has steadily dwindled down.
Entering year six under Petersen the Huskies are coming off a 2018 season that resulted in just 24 sacks, the lowest total since his arrival. At their peak back in 2014, however, Washington ended the season with 52 sacks, three behind Utah who led the nation with 55.
The following year UW saw the sack total drop to 34, only to have the number raise back up to 40 in 2016. Since then the Huskies have averaged 31.5 sacks in their last 27 games combined between 2017-18.
For defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe, entering his third season under Petersen at UW, the goal this spring was to find the best pairing up front.
Over the 15 practices Malloe used a number of different combinations in tandem with Pete Kwiatkowski, the Huskies outside linebackers’ coach, to shape the front seven. It allowed the staff to see the built of its labor on the recruiting trail, with UW targeting versatile and athletic prospects that allow the coaches to mix and match where players can line up.
The Huskies base 2-4-5 defense, which features two interior DL in between a pair of rush-end linebackers on each side and five defensive backs, is predicated on being able to change game to game depending on the opposing offense.
That requires having versatile players. UW has landed several elite defensive recruits over the past couple classes and the pieces are in place. The key this fall will be seeing whether or not they are effective, and rotating accordingly to find the best 11 players to put out on defense.
During the spring redshirt freshmen Sam Taimani and Tuli Letuligasenoa got increased reps with Greg Gaines now graduated. Both players are former four-star recruits that signed as part of the 2018 recruiting class.
Letuligasenoa was a late flip from USC days before National Signing Day after the De La Salle High School standout took an official visit to UW.
Taimani, recruited as both an offensive and defensive lineman out of East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, signed with the Huskies during the first early signing period after taking his official in Dec. 2017.
“Huge difference,” Malloe said, when asked what he saw out of both linemen this spring compared to last fall camp.
“It’s funny how much one year makes, and to me it’s more of a confidence builder for them. They understand the tools, now they have to put it into practice and be consistent with it. They had the ability to watch everybody in front of them. Now it’s their turn to shine. I think they’re doing a good job progressing each day.”
Neither player recorded a sack last season. UW returns only three true DL with at least one sack in 2018; junior Levi Onwuzurike (three), senior Benning Potoa’e (one) and senior Josiah Bronson (one).
