Baccellia’s Hard Work Aimed At Team Success
September 01, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
When Andre Baccellia was asked to envision a dream scenario for his season, something personal he would like to accomplish, he quickly changed the direction of the conversation.
For the redshirt freshman receiver, individual success is only important as a vehicle to push Washington toward wins.
"If we're winning and, as a receiving corps, we're doing good then I think we've done our job," he said.
Currently No. 2 on the Huskies' depth chart at one of the program's receiver spots, Baccellia has made the most of his opportunities.
But, again, ask him about his growth as a player and he quickly shifts the focus back to the collective.
"Things have been going really well," he said. "I just really like the improvement of the team. As a whole, we've grown as a team and I'm just really excited for this year.
"Our receiving corps in general, they're phenomenal."
And, since he won't say it directly, Baccellia has played his way into an opportunity to be a pivotal part of that group he considers "phenomenal."
He spent his first year watching and learning. He paid attention to the older guys in the room, while working on the field and in the weight room.
"Being behind some of those older guys, I focused on seeing what they did right and wrong, learning from their mistakes and my mistakes, everything," he said.
He was a diligent understudy, preparing for the day when his name was called.
A little stronger, a little faster, a little more mentally prepared, Baccellia has done everything possible to take the next step as a receiver. However, while he has earned an opportunity, this is only the beginning.
"I've put in a lot of hard work, but there's just so much still I need to learn," he said.
And then, as if he realized he was talking about himself, he made a correction.
"There's a lot we need to learn," he said.
The push toward improvement is prevalent throughout the position. They are growing as a group.
"As a team, but as a receiving corps in general, we're just one big family," he said. "We're competing with each other, pushing each other. We get mad at each other sometimes, but we'll always celebrate with each other.
"We're just one little family. It's awesome."
