Husky Roster Review: Peacock Trying Not to Be Light as a Feather

No one is more anonymous on the University of Washington football team than back-up offensive linemen. They show up as fresh-faced, skinny guys and hit the sled, hit each other and then disappear into the weight room.

They're not going to play until they're 300 pounds or heavier and able to lift a small Honda Civic over their head.

Such is the case for sophomore offensive tackle Samuel Peacock, now entering his fourth season in Montlake and looking considerably more filled out at 290-plus pounds on a 6-foot-6 frame.

"I've gained some good weight," Peacock said, some 20 to 25 pounds heavier than his first year. "We're just grinding, trying to get bigger ands stronger. You always put on more weight at this position."

Last season, the Gig Harbor, Washington, product, got a taste of Husky football on game day when he pulled mop-up duty in one-sided games against Portland State and Colorado.

His next step would be to show he's ready to step in at a moment's notice should either Troy Fautanu or Roger Rosengarten, the tackle starters, be unable to play for whatever reason.

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, Peacock, who wears No. 65 all to himself, is next up in a series of profiles about each of the Huskies' scholarship players and assorted walk-ons, summing up their spring football performances and surmising what might come next for them.

Samuel Peacock prepares to slam into a blocking sled during Husky spring football practice.

Samuel Peacock (65) gives Dylan Morris enough time to get this pass off during the final spring scrimmage.

Samuel Peacock uses his hands to hold off Roger Rosengarten during this spring practice drill in Husky Stadium.

Samuel Peacock extends a meaty arm in this drill bent on improving lineman hand-fighting skills.

Samuel Peacock was committed to Oregon State during his recruitment before Jimmy Lake's Husky staff made him a late offer.

Samuel Peacock and Roger Rosengarten receive coaching instruction during this spring practice drill.

Samuel Peacock (65) waits his turn to run through this balance drill during spring practice in Husky Stadium.

Samuel Peacock and Roger Rosengarten arrived together in the Class of 2020.

Samuel Peacock has won two UW weight-lifting awards in his three seasons with the Huskies.

Peacock arrived as part of the Huskies' five-man 2020 recruiting class of offensive linemen, coming in the door with Geirean Hatchett, Gaard Memmelaar, Myles Murao and Rosengarten.

The daydream was to one day have all five of these guys together as UW starters, yet the once highly regarded Murao transferred out after the recent spring football, apparently discouraged by his lack of progress at the college level.

Rosengarten made the first breakthrough, becoming a starter this past season. Hatchett played in every game in 2022 and could join him in the lineup this fall. Memmelaar and Peacock are steady back-ups, looking for more.

Peacock was the least heralded of this lineman class, joining the Huskies after flipping from Oregon State. His high school football and shot-put aspirations were curtailed the COVID pandemic.

Yet he's stayed the course, earning Iron Dawg and Iron Pup awards this past season and as a freshman, signifying his weight-room gains.

"He's just been making nice, steady progress," UW offensive-line coach Scott Huff said. "I'm pleased with him."

Meantime, Peacock is getting closer, maybe needing to add another 10 pounds, all while fending off the UW's incoming class of five offensive linemen, freshmen eager to get on the field as fast as they can, plus Kansas State transfer Jalen Klemm, who has four seasons of eligibility, as well.

The process can wear you down, even send you home dissatisfied such as Murao, with so much work required and at times little reward. It all pays off when you're in the middle of the action on Saturday. Peacock appears in it for the long run.

"Everybody needs to be ready to play that position," he said, "when the spotlight hits them."

SAMUEL PEACOCK FILE

Service: He played against Portland State and Colorado in 2022. That was a start. He spent much of spring practice on the No. 2 offense.

Stats: None to speak off, other than his weight climbing from 270 to 290-plus in three seasons.

Role: Peacock is a back-up player entering the fall and needing to keep progressing if he intends to be a future starter.

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