SEATTLE -- Washington needed a late push to land its 2012 recruiting class into the top 25 nationally.
After securing safety Shaq Thompson (Sacramento, Calif./Grant) right before signing day, the Huskies were able to finish with a class rated No. 23 in the nation.
Led by Thompson, who was rated the nation’s No. 16 prospect in the ESPN 150, the class featured four, four-star recruits and 15 three-star recruits.
With Washington nine games into its season, here is a look at who is playing, who is redshirting and who is grayshirting.
Contributors
S Shaq Thompson
6-2, 225 (Sacramento, Calif./Grant)
Thompson has started all nine games so far this season as a nickleback. He has a total of 51 tackles -- 6 ½ for loss -- a sack, two interceptions and a blocked field goal. He has more than lived up to his reputation as one of the nation’s top recruits.
5-10, 170 (Los Angeles/Dorsey)
With 433 all-purpose yards, Mickens has been a versatile contributor this season. He has played in all nine games, has 16 catches for 113 yards, two carries for six yards and 314 return yards.
WR/TB Kendyl Taylor
5-10, 200 (Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton)
Taylor’s play throughout fall camp made it clear early he would contribute as a receiver in his first year. However, he is also spending time as a running back. Through nine games, he has 22 carries for 122 yards and 11 catches for 69 yards.
DE Pio Vatuvei
6-2, 281 (Patterson, Calif./Patterson)
He suffered an injury against Cal last week, but has played in all nine games so far, compiling seven tackles. He also has one carry on offense, but didn’t gain any yardage.
6-4, 280 (Kamuela, Hawaii/Hawaii Prep)
With injuries mounting along the offensive line, Brostek received his first college start against Stanford, the first of three straight starts for the freshman.
6-3, 230 (Spring Valley, Calif./Mount Miguel)
Littleton didn’t play the first four games, but found himself in the starting lineup at Oregon where he finished with six tackles -- one for loss. He has played in five games and has 11 tackles.
6-4, 225 (Gig Harbor, Wash./Gig Harbor)
Durkee opened the season as Washington punter, but eventually lost his job to junior college transfer Travis Coons. Durkee averaged 36.9 points over 15 punts.
K/P Travis Coons
6-2, 205 (Alta Loma, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College)
After opening the year as the Huskies’ kicker, Coons has also absorbed the punting duties. So far he is 6 for 8 on field-goal attempts with a long of 45 yards. He also averages 39 yards per punt.
DT Josh Banks
6-2, 265 (Stockton, Calif./San Joaquin Delta College)
Banks has played in six games and has seven tackles, one for loss.
5-10, 188 (San Mateo, Calif./Serra)
With the Huskies’ depth depleted due to injuries, Wilson played early and, through five games, had 140 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.
Expected to redshirt
QB Cyler Miles (Denver, Colo./Mullen)
QB Jeff Lindquist (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island)
CB Brandon Beaver (Compton, Calif./Dominguez)
OL Nathan Dean (Kirkland, Wash./Juanita)
LB Blake Rodgers (Las Flores, Calif./Tesoro)
OL Jake Eldrenkamp (Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue)
WR Dwayne Washington (Cerritos, Calif./Gahr)
DT Damion Turpin (Compton, Calif./Dominguez)
CB Cleveland Wallace (San Jose, Calif./Oak Grove)
OL Cory Fuavai (Auburn, Wash./Auburn)
FB Psalm Wooching (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii/Kealakehe)
RB Ryan McDaniel (Torrance, Calif./North Torrance)
DB Darien Washington (Orange, Calif./Lutheran)
OL Taylor Hindy (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade)
Grayshirting
DE Kalei Auelua (Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Louis)
