Husky Roster Review: In Search of Big Foot, Shrock Gives UW Another Lefty

Addison Shrock is hoping to give the University of Washington football team something it depended on for the past five seasons — a left-footed kicker.

He's in a two-man competition with fellow sophomore Grady Gross, who swings from the right side, to replace the Huskies' seemingly forever foot that belonged to Peyton Henry, who finally used up his six seasons of college eligibility against Texas in the Alamo Bowl.

Gross has played in more colleges games, solely as a kickoff man, 12, while Shrock has more Husky points than his teammate, 1.

UW coach Kalen DeBoer appears comfortable enough with Gross and Shrock that he hasn't had his staff go out and find a veteran kicker in the transfer portal, rather he's simply let these two battle it out.

"They've got a lot of confidence in both of us and we just both enjoy pushing each other," Shrock said.

The 6-foot-1, 181-pounder from Bellingham, Washington, is two inches taller and 31 pounds lighter than Gross, who hails from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Both are walk-ons, though Shrock has been in the UW program for three seasons, in and around the pandemic, to Gross' one.

Going down the roster from No. 0 to 99, Shrock, who wears No. 85 as a special-teamer, 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.

Addison Shrock gives the Huskies another left-footed kicker while Grady Gross (95) kicks from the right side.

Addison Shrock watches his kick head for the uprights, as does JC transfer punter and holder Adam Saul (43), during spring ball.

Addison Shrock leans into a kick, while UW coach Kalen DeBoer and edge rusher Maurice Heims watch from behind.

Addis Shrock makes contact as regular punter Jack McCallister holds for his kick attempt during spring football.

Addison Shrock's kick takes off like a plane leaving the runway in this spring scrimmage field-goal attempt.

Addison Shrock practices his form using a tee only on the East Field during spring football.

In 2022, Addison Shrock and Grady Gross run past TV cameras set up for post-practice media stuff.

Addison Shrock (85) heads to the East practice field in 2021 with punters Race Porter (46), Jack McCallister (38) and Triston Brown (32).

Kickers and punters Peyton Henry (47), Jack McCallister (38), Kevin Ryan (90), Addison Shrock (85) and Grady Gross (95), plus snapper Alex Froelich (49), hustle to the locker room in 2022.

The biggest difference between these two, besides going lefty-righty, is the fact Shrock, foremost a soccer player, came late to football, joining the Squalicum High School team only as a senior.

He finished his schoolboy career with 45 extra points and 4 field goals made and helped his team make the playoffs, compared to Gross, who converted 120 conversions and 20 three-pointers in his career and shared in an Arizona state championship as a senior.

As Husky special-teams players, they spend a lot of time together plying their trade, discussing how they do it and could do it better.

"I feel like having him there and being there for him we both get better every day and we help each other and support each other," Shrock said. "So it's been fun."

The fun continues into fall camp, where things will get a little more nerve-wracking when one of these guys officially pulls ahead of the other and wins the job outright.

If the Huskies prefer another lefty off the tee, Shrock would be the guy.

ADDISON SHROCK FILE

Service: One game. Against Colorado last season. It's a start.

Stats: Shrock converted the final extra point in the Huskies' 54-7 victory over the Buffaloes.

Role: He's in a two-man competition for the kicking job with fellow sophomore Grady Gross, who was first up in all the spring kicking reps.

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