Off-season Spotlight: Why you need to know Washington's Jake Browning

As Washington looks to build on a promising 2015 season, quarterback Jake Browning will be expected to make a major leap as a sophomore.

Author:
Chris Johnson
Publish date:
Jul 18, 2016

It’s O.K. to admit your college football knowledge is a little rusty. It’s been six months since any games, and a host of stars from last year have left for the NFL. Sure, you know sensations like Deshaun Watson, Christian McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette are back, but what about the new crop of on-the rise players? We’re here to help. Welcome to the Off-Season Spotlight, a weekly feature that will introduce you to a player you’ll want to know this fall. We’ve already looked at Clemson sophomore defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. Today, let’s focus on Washington sophomore quarterback Jake Browning.

Why is he important?

The college football preseason hype train embraces many teams, but its strongest amplifying forces are reserved for a select few. In 2016, one of them is Washington. Look around the CFB projectionsphere—official polls, magazines, advanced statistics-based models, you name it—and it quickly becomes apparent: Seemingly everybody (except coach Chris Petersen, apparently) thinks the Huskies are going to be very good this season.

That may or may not turn out to be true. Pulling it off, though, will require Browning to take a step forward in his sophomore season. To be clear, Washington brings back plenty of talent around Browning—eight starters and 72% of its production on offense, according to SB Nation’s Bill Connelly. Wide receiver John Ross III will return to provide a home run threat after missing last season with a knee injury (he was clocked at 4.25 seconds in the 40-yard dash this spring), and running back Myles Gaskin is set for his own sophomore leap after rushing for 554 yards on 5.59 yards per carry over the last four games of 2015.

Still, Washington’s case as a Pac-12 North contender and dark-horse College Football Playoff candidate crumbles if Browning regresses. The Huskies need him to deliver the ball to Ross and other returning targets like Dante Pettis and Brayden Lenius; to dissuade defenses from stacking the box to stuff Gaskin; and, most importantly, to avoid mistakes in challenging back-to-back division games against Stanford (Sept. 30) and at Oregon (Oct. 8), plus a Nov. 12 home date with USC.

If Browning falters, all of this preseason buzz will feel less like justified praise than misguided optimism.

What has he already done?

Browning became the first true freshman in program history to start a season-opener, and though he threw for only 150 yards and posted a 40.9 QB rating in that game—a three-point loss to Petersen’s former team, Boise State—he subsequently led the Huskies to a 7–6 record, including a three-game winning streak (Oregon State, Washington State, Southern Miss) to close the season and an Oct. 8 road upset of the Trojans. It was a surprisingly successful season for a Washington squad coming off of the loss of three first-round draft picks and the return of only 10 total starters from 2014.

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Browning wasn’t great in his first college campaign—his deficiencies were particularly glaring when facing strong competition (six touchdowns, six interceptions, 121.48 passer rating against FBS teams with winning records)—but the talent he flashed suggests he could develop into one of the Pac-12’s top quarterbacks.

How did he look this spring?

Browning enrolled early and competed in spring drills last year, but at that point it was unclear who would rise to the top of Washington’s quarterback depth chart. A year later, he is garnering consideration as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate while serving as the face of a top-25 team. According to The Seattle Times, Browning completed five of his seven pass attempts for 65 yards with a touchdown over two series in the Huskies’ last spring scrimmage. “I thought he had a nice camp,’’ Petersen said of Browning, according to the newspaper. “I think he’s sharper in his decisions, I think he’s throwing it well. The ball’s coming off his hand nice.”

Here’s Browning connecting with Ross on a deep ball:

Anything else you should know?

Browning had compiled a really impressive resume before he ever stepped foot on Washington's campus. Rated the No. 8 quarterback in the class of 2015 by Scout.com, the Folsom (Calif.) High product notched national records in career (229) and single-season (91) touchdowns, completed 1,191 passes and threw for 16,775 yards. Those are ridiculous numbers that Browning won’t ever come close to matching with the Huskies, but clearly his passing prowess has translated to the next level.

GALLERY: 10 Pac-12 players to watch in 2016

Pac-12 players to watch in 2016

Luke Falk, Washington State QB

While Cal’s Jared Goff dominated the headlines, Falk quietly had one of the best statistical seasons in the Pac-12. In his sophomore year, he threw for 4,561 yards with 38 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Falk led the Cougars to a 9–4 record, including a win over Miami in the Sun Bowl.

Royce Freeman, Oregon RB

Freeman broke LaMichael James’s single-season school record after racking up 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns in his sophomore year. He topped 150 yards in five games, including a 246-yard, two-touchdown performance against Washington State. The junior will be the go-to guy once again this fall as Oregon reloads after a 9-4 season.

Adoree' Jackson, USC CB

One of the most dynamic players in the Pac-12, Jackson shined in all three phases of the game in 2015. He was the Trojans' primary return man, returning two punts for touchdowns. He also was a starting cornerback, intercepting one pass and returning it 46 yards for a touchdown. He spent time at wide receiver, too, and caught 27 passes for 414 yards with two touchdowns while adding seven rushes for 36 yards on the ground.

Sidney Jones, Washington CB

After totaling four interceptions (good for fourth in the Pac-12) in 2015, Jones was named first-team All-Pac-12. He's just one part of a loaded Washington secondary that boasts fellow first-team All-Pac-12 junior Budda Baker.

Lowell Lotulelei, Utah DT

The younger brother to former Utah standout and current Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Star Lotuleilei, Lowell Lotuleilei followed up on his Freshman All-America 2014 season with a first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a sophomore. He has appeared in every game his first two years, amassing 59 tackles and five sacks in his career. Last year, Utah’s rush defense allowed the sixth-fewest yards in the country.

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford RB

McCaffrey had one of the best seasons in the history of college football in 2015, finishing with a record 3,864 all-purpose yards, including over 2,000 rushing yards and 1,000 return yards. He finished second in Heisman voting last year, giving him some unfinished business for 2016.

Kareem Orr, Arizona State DB

Orr led the Sun Devils at free safety as a freshman, finishing the 2015 season with a Pac-12-best six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He added 38 tackles and earned him a first-team Freshman All-America selection by USA Today.

Josh Rosen, UCLA QB

John W. McDonough for Sports Illustrated

UCLA’s first true freshman to start the season at quarterback, Rosen led UCLA to an 8–5 record and a bowl appearance en route to a Freshman All-America selection by USA Today. The Associated Press also named him the Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year.

Cameron Smith, USC LB

In his first year at USC, the inside linebacker was second on the team with 78 tackles despite missing the Trojans' final four games with a torn ACL. Smith added three interceptions (all coming in a pivotal win over Utah), one sack and one fumble recovery. With Su'a Cravens off to the NFL, Smith's role in USC's defense only becomes more pivotal in 2016.

Marcus Williams, Utah S

Utah’s free safety started all 12 games as a sophomore, recording five interceptions (including one against Oregon that he returned 52 yards for a touchdown) and 66 tackles. His 2015 season earned him a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.