As Husky RB Ranks Thin Down, Nixon Remains Deep in the Mix

Of the collection of University of Washington running backs currently assembled in Montlake, the Huskies count veterans, transfers, the injured and the suspended.

They also turn to Will Nixon, who has his own category all to himself — the converted — as he makes a strong bid for playing time in the coming season.

On Wednesday, the normally pass-happy Huskies emphasized their running game as fall camp reached practice No. 6 and Nixon carried the ball more than anyone in a purple shirt.

While other backs have fallen to the wayside, the sophomore from Waco, Texas, and the one-time Nebraska wide receiver continues to stay in the mix and offer up his well-rounded talents .

"We all have different skill sets and I learned at the end of last season that I've got to play to my skill set — I'm a receiving back and I can run it," Nixon said. "That's what I'm trying to do right now. I've got to keep putting my head down and working."

Over the winter, he notably changed his body shape, adding 10 pounds to his 5-foot-11, 202-pound physique, and looks real durable now whenever slamming into the line.

The Huskies have a high demand for his services after what once was a deep and experienced Husky position group only to shrink some.

Of the others, freshman Tybo Rogers, impressive in spring ball, lasted just one fall practice before the coaching staff suspended him for breaking an unspecified team rule. His return is uncertain and he no doubt has been set way back in his development.

Sophomore Sam Adams II wore a yellow pullover jersey to the latest practice, signifying he was dealing with some sort of injury and his practice time remains limited. Adams also missed Saturday's practice while dealing with a death in the family.

And finally Mississippi State transfer Dillon Johnson continues to deal with the aftereffects of a knee injury, slowly is making his way up the depth chart and just now joined practice on a gradual basis.

For ready-to-play running backs, this leaves the Huskies with only junior Cam Davis, sixth-year senior Richard Newton, Arizona State transfer Daniyel Ngata and Nixon.

Much more solidly built than he was a year ago, Nixon packed on 10 pounds to enable himself to run inside and take more punishment.

UW coach Kalen DeBoer has mentioned multiple times how enthused he was with Nixon's physical development.

"I think he's one of the most improved guys across all the skill positions and proven that," coach Kalen DeBoer said of Nixon in the spring.

Nixon was a productive running back coming out of high school in Waco, Texas, yet he was convinced that he had to be a college receiver because of his size.

After two years with the Cornhuskers, Nixon entered the portal and reacquainted himself with JaMarcus Shephard, who had tried to sign him up for Purdue, and since has returned to the backfield. He appeared in 11 Husky games in 2022 and rushed 21 times for 89 yards and a pair of touchdown runs, and he caught 7 passes for 66 yards.

On Wednesday, loudly popping pads could be heard throughout Husky Stadium whenever Nixon ran into the line and in one sequence he first crashed into linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala and, on the next play, into cornerback Davon Banks.

Great opportunity has presented itself to Nixon and now all he needs to do is run with it.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "Got stay healthy, learn the plays and stay fast."

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