SEATTLE -- It was something Kevin Smith had done 100 times before.
The receiver was going through Washington’s first practice in San Antonio as the Huskies prepared for last year’s Alamo Bowl when, all of a sudden, his knee gave way.
“That one time it just happened,” Smith said.
He suffered a torn ACL that kept him off the field against Baylor. But even though he couldn’t play, even though he would face surgery and a lengthy recovery, Smith approached Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian two days before the game and asked if he could suit up with his teammates.
“I think it just tells you what kind of a teammate he is, what he brings to the team,” Sarkisian said.
His right leg was wrapped, but he faced his frustration and cheered on his teammates. When the game was over, he turned his attention toward getting back on the field.
“You’ve got to have a positive thought in your head the whole time,” Smith said. “That’s what I had going into it.”
After spending the spring and summer recovering, Smith slowly worked his way back this fall. When the Huskies had two-a-days, he would only participate in one practice while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey.
Washington’s coaching staff wouldn’t let him do too much, too soon.
“The coaching staff and training staff helped me through the process, rehabbing and whatnot, coming back as I wanted to be,” Smith said. “It feels great.”
Now, as the program prepares for Saturday’s season opener against San Diego State at CenturyLink Field, Smith is back in a purple practice jersey.
“It felt great to be out here and back with the team,” Smith said. “I missed it a lot.”
With Kasen Williams primed to take a big step forward as a sophomore and freshmen Jaydon Mickens and Kendyl Taylor expected to see the field often, Smith, now a junior, provides a veteran presence.
“He just forced himself onto the field,” Sarkisian said. “He looks good. He’s making plays. His experience is good for us at that position.”
His competitiveness and enthusiasm has set an example for his younger teammates to follow.
“Our guys really respond to him,” Sarkisian said. “I can’t remember a day when that guy has come out here where he’s had a bad day.”
Smith said he has complete confidence in his knee but feels comfortable wearing a brace, so he will continue to wear it. As far as his role and how much he plays, Smith will leave that up to the coaching staff. He is just happy to be back, ready to contribute.
“It’s all about the team right now,” he said.
Strong week of practice
Sarkisian has praised his team’s energy and enthusiasm all week. The Huskies had another physical practice Wednesday and the biggest news was Washington seems to be healthy heading into Saturday’s game.
“To me, that’s a sign of a good practice,” Sarkisian said. “I thought we were a lot cleaner today than we were yesterday in a lot of our run fits on defense and a lot of our blocking up front offensively.”
Note:
• Walk-on Tre Watson, who earned a starting spot at cornerback, has been awarded a scholarship.
• Freshman lineman Jake Eldrenkamp and walk-on tight end Alec Kimble didn’t practice Wednesday, and are not on the two-deep roster.
