Advertisement
football Edit

Young UW Receiver Core Blossoming in Fall Camp

Washington freshman wide receiver Rome Odunze (No. 16) warming up before practice; Photo Credit: Lars Hanson/TheDawgReport.com
Washington freshman wide receiver Rome Odunze (No. 16) warming up before practice; Photo Credit: Lars Hanson/TheDawgReport.com (Lars Hanson / TheDawgReport.com)

SEATTLE – No matter who starts under center for Washington week one in Berkeley, the real question will be to whom are they going to throw to?

Last season UW had only one wide receiver, senior Aaron Fuller, finish with more than 400 receiving yards. The Huskies were one of only four teams to have just one receiver with 400-plus yards – California, UCLA and Utah were the other three.

During the first week of fall camp several true freshmen made their presence known to both the coaches, and some of their veteran defensive teammates.

UW signed a pair of four-stars at the position in its 2020 recruiting class; Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman receiver Rome Odunze and Fresno (Calif.) San Joaquin Memorial receiver Jalen McMillan.

In addition, the Huskies secured Sawyer Racanelli out of Brush Prairie (Wash.).

All three have impressed, but Odunze and McMillan in particular were mentioned more than half a dozen times by various coaches and players during the first week of camp.

Second-year UW receivers coach Junior Adams deserves credit, not only for landing the talented trio in his first season on the job, but for putting the receivers in a better position to succeed as a collective this season.

Senior defensive back Elijah Molden has noticed the change Adams has brought to the room.

“I think, credit to coach Junior Adams. They’re a really smart group,” Molden said.

“They’re breaking down everything about the position. That’s what it seems like. They’re getting really crafty about how to attack our defense in (certain) situations, and then what techniques to use. So I think that’s a credit to coach June.”

UW returns a handful of receivers from last season; Terrell Bynum and Jordan Chin are the only two with legitimate experience. Ty Jones, a junior, missed the majority of the 2019 season due to a wrist injury he suffered prior to the start of the season but returned for the final four games.

Washington junior wide receiver Ty Jones (No. 88) standing on the sideline during a practice in fall camp.
Washington junior wide receiver Ty Jones (No. 88) standing on the sideline during a practice in fall camp. (Lars Hanson/TheDawgReport.com)

Jones did not record a single target from Jacob Eason last season. However, in his two previous seasons, the skyscraper, standing 6-foot-4 and listed at 200 pounds, down 13 from last year, was one of the more dependable targets outside.

As a sophomore in 2018, Jones hauled in six touchdown receptions and finished with 491 yards, 31 receptions and 24 first down conversions while only recording four dropped passes.

For comparison, the four main receivers UW returns from last season – Terrell Bynum, Puka Nacua, Jordan Chin and Marquis Spiker – finished with almost the exact same numbers as a group.

The foursome finished with a combined 702 yards (211 more than Jones in ’18), six touchdowns, 44 receptions, 67 targets, 25 first downs and four dropped passes.

Jones is back 100 percent healthy, cracking a smile and he even busts out the occasional dance at practice to keep things fresh. For Adams, the key to a successful campaign this fall will involve finding a balance between the veterans and his budding freshmen.

Odunze, listed at 6’3 and 205-pounds, came to UW as the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada in 2019. With those accolades, and his physical stature, the expectations are high for the freshman.

Back in April he received high praise for his quickness from the Huskies WR coach. Odunze ran a 10.6 100-meter and 21.25 in the 200-meter, which won him a state title as a senior.

“That’s what really pops up when you watch him on film,” Adams said. “And then being able to see him transition in and out of breaks, change of direction. He’s pretty elite in that area.”

Adams continued, “The next thing that stood out to me was with him being 6-3, 205-ish is his run after catch ability. It shows up on his film where he catches quick routes, intermediate pass routes and he’s taking them to the end zone.”

Advertisement