Three storylines from UW spring practice
Apr 12, 2014, 4:20 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm
By Brent Stecker
The Washington Huskies have just three practices left this spring after No. 12 came and went Saturday. Here’s an update on the three biggest storylines from the team’s spring practices.
1. Shaq Thompson is a legitimate running back candidate.
Thompson has only played linebacker during his two seasons at UW, but the junior has continually found himself getting opportunities to carry the ball this spring. It’s been a favorite storyline for the media, which is to be expected — everybody loves a two-way star. That was seen with Bellevue product Myles Jack of UCLA last season, as he was briefly the talk of the nation when he excelled playing both at linebacker and running back.
For his part, the 6-foot-2, 231-pound Thompson has impressed coach Chris Petersen at nearly every turn.
“Each time we get him the ball, he does something good,” Petersen said Saturday.
2. There is no favorite at quarterback yet.
Petersen has been political when talking about his quarterback situation, which has been a two-man competition all spring between sophomore Jeff Lindquist and redshirt freshman Troy Williams. Petersen has admitted that he wouldn’t say if either quarterback had emerged as a No. 1 even if it had become clear to him. It’s doubtful it’s reached that point anyway, as the pair has looked as even as could be.
3. The Cyler Miles situation isn’t over yet.
The biggest question entering the spring was the status of Miles, the assumed frontrunner to start at quarterback before he was suspended indefinitely along with wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow for an alleged incident in early February. Stringfellow has since been charged, but Miles won’t be, and Petersen has said he wouldn’t rule out a return to the team for Miles. That hasn’t happened yet, but his name will continue be in the mix until otherwise specified.