I wonder if Ty Jones feels like no matter what he does he is doomed to play for an undersized Husky QB!?Assessing transfer portal arrivals and departures
by Mike Vorel
The grass isn’t always greener on the other side (or in the other stadium).
But, in the transfer portal era, that hasn’t stopped athletes from seeing for themselves.
So, halfway through the 2021 season, how have the new and former Huskies fared? Let’s take a moment to assess UW’s 2021 arrivals and departures.
Departures
Utah LB Josh Calvert: has not played
Portland State WR Marquis Spiker: 5 games, 7 catches, 96 yards, 13.7 yards per reception
Bowling Green WR Austin Osborne: 7 games, 41 catches (most on team), 331 receiving yards, 8.07 yards per reception, 1 TD
Utah S Brandon McKinney: 6 games, 36 tackles (second on team), 1 TFL, 1 PBU
BYU WR Puka Nacua: 6 games, 20 catches, 444 receiving yards, 22.2 yards per reception (best on team, 3rd nationally), 1 TD
Fresno State WR Ty Jones: 7 games, 13 catches, 161 receiving yards, 12.38 yards per reception, 1 TD
UCLA QB Ethan Garbers: 7 games (backup QB), 2-2, 18 passing yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Sacramento State WR Jordan Chin: 1 game, 0 receptions
Central Michigan QB Jacob Sirmon: 5 games, 61.3% completions, 734 passing yards, 6 pass TD, 4 INT
Analysis: Of this group, Nacua is undoubtedly the most stinging departure — a game-breaker who is producing the big plays at BYU that Husky fans saw a glimpse of in Seattle. And after largely failing to find the field at UW, McKinney has developed into a starting safety and a reliable veteran for Utah. Sirmon initially won the starting quarterback job at Central Michigan, but has since been replaced. And while he couldn’t crack the rotation at Washington, Osborne appears to have found a fit at Bowling Green.
With all that said, if you’re asking who the Huskies were truly sad to see go, the only answers are Nacua and Garbers (who appears to be next in line after Dorian Thompson-Robinson graduates at UCLA).
Arrivals
WR Giles Jackson (Michigan): 6 games, 8 catches, 87 yards, 10.9 yards per reception, 36 rush yards, 9 kick returns, 167 yards (18.6 average)
DB Brendan Radley-Hiles (Oklahoma): 5 games, 23 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PBU, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
OLB Jeremiah Martin (Texas A&M): 5 games, 7 tackles
WR Ja’Lynn Polk (Texas Tech): 1 game, 1 catch, 13 yards (season-ending injury)
QB Patrick O’Brien (Colorado State): 1 game, 1 rush, 13 yards
Analysis: Radley-Hiles has been easily the most impactful transfer for UW, making plays and slotting in nicely at Elijah Molden’s departed nickelback spot. Jackson and Martin have both played as well, with middling results. Though he was injured on UW’s first offensive play of the season, Polk has drawn rave reviews behind the scenes, and should develop into a contributor (if he stays healthy) in the next several seasons. As for O’Brien … well, if Dylan Morris continues to struggle, the Colorado State transfer might just earn an opportunity to seize a starting role.
Our WRs could have been amazing if he and Pakua stayed, but with Morris playing QB? It wouldn't have mattered.
O'Brien is an interesting one. I'm telling you, the dude is BIG in real life and the ball comes off his hand. He and Huard made Morris look like a Middle Schooler. I just don't understand this staff. 2 and 4 with the worst QB play in the Conference, a 6th year dude like O'Brien and the #1 pocket passer recruit in the nation on the sidelines. And Jimmy the Geek says we are no where near a change. Fuck you Jimmy.
