5 Standouts From Washington's Spring Preview

The scrimmage portion of Washington's spring preview got off to a very slow start by coach Kalen DeBoer's standards. The Husky defense dominated the offense early on, generating a few turnovers and getting constant pressure on quarterbacks Michael Penix and Dylan Morris.

While the defense got off to a hot start, the guys moving the football found their rhythm later on and ended up coming out on top in the scrimmage thanks to a walk-off touchdown from walk-on wide receiver Owen Coutts.

Jaivion Green

The sophomore cornerback gave fans the first big play of the scrimmage person, making a great read to step in front of a Morris pass. If it wasn't blown dead by the referees, it would have gone for a touchdown. The Husky coaching staff has been very vocal about Green's continuous improvement throughout the spring, and it was on display on Saturday.

Cameron Davis

With transfer Dillon Johnson sitting out the majority of the spring due to an injury, Davis has had to take the lion's share of reps as the team's starting running back. He lived up to the billing of an RB-1 on Saturday, punching in two touchdowns on the goal line.

A Cam Davis touchdown pic.twitter.com/kovmNKHutA
— Roman Tomashoff (@rtomashoff34) April 22, 2023

Denzel Boston

"Denzel is a guy that can change the game coming off the sideline," Penix Jr. said of the redshirt freshman after the spring preview. Boston changed Saturday's scrimmage in a major way, scoring two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving.

However, the rushing touchdown that looked like a new wrinkle from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, when Boston came across the formation on a jet sweep and took a direct snap in from six yards out, was a mistake. DeBoer admitted after practice that while Boston was supposed to end up with the ball in his hands, it wasn't supposed to be in that fashion.

Elijah Jackson

Jackson recorded the other interception on Saturday, taking away a pass intended for Giles Jackson. After practice, DeBoer singled out the sophomore cornerback from Lawndale, California, as one of the players he's been happiest with over the course of spring practice.

"He's been incredibly consistent all spring... you're never going to be perfect, but there haven't been those big mistakes that pop up," DeBoer said. "I love the tools he has and it's great to see him healthy. ... He's one of the guys I'm really proud of."

Zach Durfee

When Zach Durfee arrived on campus, it was very easy to see why the coaching staff was enamored with the edge rusher from Sioux Falls. After missing about a week and a half because of injury, Durfee was all over the field on Saturday. He set the edge well against the run and applied constant pressure on the quarterback, including a sack where he got to Morris without being touched.

"I saw him on another level at practice this week," DeBoer said. "The time off gave him a chance to sit back and learn and, especially on Monday, he was always around the ball." After losing former five-star Sav'ell Smalls to the transfer portal, it looks like Durfee could be in line for a lot of playing time this fall.

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