Dawgman Radio: A Washington Huskies athletics podcast

Now that spring ball has concluded, it's time to look back at what we saw during the 15 practices, looking in-depth at each position group. Today, the guys from Dawgman -- Kim Grinolds and Scott Eklund -- take a look at the quarterbacks.

Heading into spring, there was no doubt who the starter for the Huskies is and that is a big change from last season.

Michael Penix Jr. had a strong spring, but the guys talk about how, if you just go by spring, there wasn't much of a difference between him and Dylan Morris. However, there's just something about the sixth-year senior that sets him apart once the lights go on and he's playing in front of a crowd.

For his part, Morris looked much more comfortable in the offense and he could be one of the top backup quarterbacks in the country with the way he prepares and his mental makeup.

Lastly, they talk about incoming freshman Austin Mack and walk-on Alex Johnson, who was third string during the spring, and what they bring to the table.

The Huskies concluded their spring football campaign with a 90-play scrimmage between the offense and the defense in front of fans at Husky Stadium. Michael Penix Jr, Rome Odunze, and Kalen DeBoer spoke to the media on how the day went, as well as the rest of spring.

Washington wrapped up their spring practices on Saturday with their annual "Spring Preview" which featured an 89-play scrimmage and some big plays on both sides of the ball. Eventually, the offense eeked out a 35-34 win over the defense in front of roughly 4-5,000 fans in the stands

The guys from Dawgman.com -- Kim Grinolds and Scott Eklund -- sat down afterwards to unpack what they saw and also give a relatively brief overview (a more intense one will take place at some point next week) of spring football and which players caught their eyes during the 15 practices.

They discussed Michael Penix Jr.'s day and discussed that he was always a bit off throughout the spring. Not to diminish what he was able to do, but helping people to understand that, much like last spring, the Heisman candidate didn't blow anyone away with his performance. That happened during the season.

Grinolds made the point that Cameron Davis appears to have separated himself, at least right now, from the rest of the pack in the tailback room.

On Saturday, Davis ran hard, totaling 51 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while Sam Adams, Tybo Rogers and Aaron Dumas each had their moments as well.

As good as Washington's receiver room is, Denzel Boston has been one of the standouts of camp and the coaches have raved about his progress. During Saturday's game, the second-year wideout took a quick snap and ran it in from six yards out. As good as the play looked, especially when you consider the timing needed as he was coming in motion and took the direct snap from backup center Landen Hatchett, we found out later, both from Kalen DeBoer and Boston himself, that the play was actually a mistake.

Along the offensive line, we saw the Huskies ride the quintet of Troy Fautanu (LT), Julius Buelow (LG), Matteo Mele (C), Nate Kalepo (RG) and Roger Rosengarten (RT) through all of spring and DeBoer said afterwards that those were the five they were going with right now, but they are not so far and away better than some of the backups, namely Geirean Hatchett and Parker Brailsford, that the competition was over for the starting spots.

Turning the page to the defense, the guys discussed the progress of the cornerbacks, namely Elijah Jackson and the coaches being so effusive in their praise of the third-year corner. They also talked about the interceptions made by Jaivion Green and Jackson as well as the contributions of Jabbar Muhammad and Thaddeus Dixon, each of whom is in the mix for the starting two corner spots.

The wrapped things up by talking about some of the former players they saw on the sidelines, includin ...

On Friday, Kalen DeBoer spoke to the media one last time before Saturday's Spring Preview, which will take place at 1 pm at Husky Stadium. He talked about the preview itself (hint: it won't be a full-blown game), what Washington fans can look forward to seeing, as well as the recent departure of EDGE player Sav'ell Smalls, the impact of having two transfer portal windows and how that affects roster construction, players that have stood out during spring, and a lot more. A Husky legend was a special guest during Friday's practice, and he spoke to the team too! 

Husky offensive line coach Scott Huff, offensive linemen Matteo Mele and Roger Rosengarten, tailbacks coach Lee Marks and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb talk after Day 13 of spring practices

Day 13 of spring football was held inside the Dempsey Indoor Facility and things got a little wild about two thirds of the way through practice. The guys from Dawgman.com -- Kim Grinolds and Scott Eklund -- sat down and talked about what they saw during the two-hour workout and what stood out to them in the final open practice before the Spring Preview which is this Saturday.

To start things off, the defense definitely appeared to get the better of the offense for most of practice, aside from a big play early on -- a trick play that saw wideout Jalen McMillan throw a long touchdown pass to fellow receiver Rome Odunze -- and one a little later when tight end Quentin Moore, who was well-covered, went up and hauled in a 25-yard touchdown from Michael Penix Jr.

However, as the practice moved along, things got a bit on the chippy side with players on both sides pushing and shoving and even throwing some punches.

Cooler heads prevailed, but Eklund and Grinolds talked a lot about who was involved and what happened.

The rest of their time was spent recapping what the offensive coaches and players told them following practice, including offensive line coach Scott Huff who feels he has some versatile players who could play anywhere along the offensive line. He also spoke about the progress of both Parker Brailsford and Landen Hatchett and what has allowed Julius Buelow to take back a starting job along the offensive line at one of the guard spots.

Tailbacks coach Lee Marks talked about the progress of the tailbacks and while he will miss Wayne Taulapapa's outstanding pass-blocking abilities, he feels good about where things are at with Cameron Davis and a few of the other tailbacks in the room.

They also asked about what makes freshman Tybo Rogers so good and if he is a player who could burn his redshirt this season.

Lastly, they discussed offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and his comments on the difference between Penix at this time last year and now as well as the progress of the tight ends room and where things currently stand with that group.

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, William Inge, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Drew Fowler, Chuck Morrell, Jabbar Muhammad, and Jaivion Green spoke to the media Monday after Day 12 of Washington's spring football campaign.

The defense showed up and gave the offense a little more trouble than normal as Washington wraps up its final week of spring football. In part one we focus on the defense, part two we go in-depth on the offense, and part three we give recruiting and hoops updates.

Here's what Washington's Head Coach had to say Friday with just a little over a week to go until the end of UW's spring campaign.

Washington long-snapper Jaden Green, left tackle Troy Fautanu, receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, tight end Devin Culp and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. talk after day 10 of spring practices