Today’s season finale could be last game for QB as a Husky
SEATTLE — Let the speculation begin. Washington coach Steve Sarkisian is already wondering if today will be Jake Locker’s last game as the Huskies quarterback.
Sarkisian admitted this week that while he was enjoying the Huskies’ 30-0 Apple Cup shutout of rival Washington State, he also took time to ponder that the quarterback could be making his Washington farewell against No. 19 California.
“I think he’s going to view it as we’ve got a great chance to capitalize and ride the wave of momentum coming off the Apple Cup,” Sarkisian said. “And I think he’s really going to embrace the opportunity for the seniors to have their moment.
“In his mind, he’s not worried about what that decision might be.”
But the reality that Sarkisian might be saying goodbye to Locker could be coming sooner than the coach wants.
Only a junior, Locker is being touted by NFL draft pundits as a potential first-round pick and possibly the first quarterback selected if he were to leave school early. Scouts love his speed and ability to run out of the pocket, but also see his growth as a passer in Locker’s first season in Sarkisian’s pro-style offense.
Sarkisian said when the season is done that he’ll help Locker gather as much information as possible to make an informed decision about his future. He also said there’s no rush in making that decision.
Entering the season finale, Locker has thrown for 2,552 yards and 18 touchdowns, while completing nearly 57 percent of his passes. With a big passing game against California, he could finish with the third-highest single-season yards passing total in school history.
“He’s done some things and we’ve seen some things that he’s done that make you go, ‘Wow, this guy can really do it all.’ And then there’s been moments where it hasn’t happened the way he would have and we would have liked, and he’s learned from it and moved forward,” Sarkisian said.
For his part, Locker has deflected all talk about his future until after the season. The lure of the NFL might be bolstered by seeing the tribulations of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, who returned to school only to be plagued by injuries this season.
Countering that is a chance for Locker to write his Washington legacy and take a big step in erasing the pain from an 0-12 season in 2008.
The Huskies will finish 2009 with a losing record for a sixth straight season, but that includes narrow losses at Notre Dame (37-30 in overtime), Arizona State (24-17) and UCLA (24-23).
If Locker stays, the Huskies’ offense could potentially have nine starters back from their expected lineup today against Cal.
“That’s something that will definitely go into the decision-making process and something that we’ll definitely look at, like I said, when this season’s over,” Locker said.
Asked if his teammates are urging him to return, Locker said everyone is just focused on the Golden Bears.
“No, they’re just like me. We have one game left in the season, and that’s what is important to this football team,” Locker said.
Last week against the rival Cougars could have been the best display of balance the Huskies have seen all season. Even though there were few designed runs, Locker took advantage of a Washington State defense that often dropped seven or eight men into coverage and sprinted into the open field when the opportunity came. He finished with 10 carries for 94 yards and a 15-yard TD run.
But he also threw for 196 yards, completing 16 of 28 passes that included a few drops by his receivers.
“I think Jake is still working to find that balance,” Sarkisian said. “And when he does, he’s going to be an … even more dangerous player.”
