Youth shines in Huskies' first scrimmage

» Practice Photo Gallery (Courtesy CoachSark.com)
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On a beautiful, albeit somewhat windy, day in Seattle, the Washington Husky football team conducted its first full pads scrimmage as it nears the halfway point in its 15-practice spring season today.

With an estimated crowd in excess of around 2,000 fans, the Huskies went through a two-hour practice that culminated with an hour-long 11-on-11 scrimmage. With Heisman Trophy candidate Jake Locker participating in just two series, it was a chance for some of the younger skill players on the offensive side of the ball to showcase their abilities.

True freshmen Jesse Callier, Deonate Cooper and Nick Montana all showed glimpses of why there were considered among the top recruits on the West Coast as each player helped moved the ball down the field. Callier registered an impressive 21-yard run around the right side of the line to create a bit of a buzz throughout the crowd. During the early part of practice, he also had several runs through the line for extra yards. On one occasion, he left a linebacker going the opposite direction and on another he took a hit, lost his helmet and got up and finished the run with helmet-in-hand.

Cooper also showed-off his skills during the practice. On one impressive run around the right side, he broke a pair of tackles, slipped last the defensive backfield and rambled for 32-yards and a TD.

The scrimmage wasn't entirely dominated by the offense - far from it. The Husky defense made some nice plays. Sophomore Nate Fellner smashed Johri Fogerson for a loss and forced fumble, then two plays later blasted Callier for a loss. Alvin Logan also made a few nice force plays, rushing the quarterbacks into hurried throws and what would have been sacks had the referees allowed it.

SCATTERSHOOTING: A few of the notables in the crowd included Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, who was, according to a media report, supposed to be in Oakland meeting and working out for the NFL's Raiders ... Former USC and current Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was on the sideline visiting with the UW coaches and players ... UW play-by-play man extraordinare Bob Rondeau and sideline analyst Elise Woodward took in the sights as well ... Jake Locker spent a fairly decent amount of time after practice taking photos and signing autographs for waiting fans ... A few No. 1 ranked UW softball players popped-by to watch just before their 4 p.m. first pitch against 2nd-ranked Arizona ... The team returns to practice Tuesday at 4 p.m. for its seventh-session of the spring ... A reminder that fans attending the April 30 spring game (6:30 p.m. kickoff) are encouraged to park in the E-1 parking lot and get to the game as early as possible. Sound Transit light rail construction, along with regular medical center and school parking could make traffic heavier than usual that day.