McClatcher Has One Speed β Fast
September 15, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
In college football, the receiver room isn't always the most collegial. In an I've-got-to-get-mine era, the position can be loaded with me-first egos.
But when Bush Hamdan looks at the guys in his room, the Washington receivers coach sees a group best described as "unselfish," a collection of playmakers who revel in the success of others as much as their own.Β
"These guys bought into everybody getting their piece of the pie," Hamdan said. "That's definitely something that's fun to be around."
But the coach isn't surprised. It is a testament to the program's recruiting philosophy.
"That's kind of the standard of a Chris Petersen program, in my mind," Hamdan said.
And, when it comes to the caliber of player who fits the mold, sophomore Chico McClatcher embodies all of the characteristics the Huskies expect in an athlete on and off the field.Β
"When you think football player, you think Chico McClatcher," Hamdan said.
Whether he is at practice, catching touchdown passes or making defenders miss in the open field, McClatcher has one speed β fast.
"He's a guy that's got a lot of natural ability with top-end speed and he's a playmaker, good with the ball in his hands," Hamdan said.
The receiver has an instinctive feel for the game honed during a high-school career spent predominantly at running back. Now a standout for the Huskies, McClatcher sees himself as a Tavon Austin-type receiver.
Whether he gets the ball on a fly sweep, bubble screen or on a route down the field, McClatcher is at his best when he gets the ball in space so he can "use my speed to beat people."
But, while his speed helps him make plays, he has invested a lot of time into understanding when he needs to slow down and settle into open spaces to create a better target for quarterback Jake Browning.
"Running a route in zones, you have to know where to sit down," he said. "There's more technique to it. That's what I'm trying to work on this year."
With six catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns through the Huskies' first two games, things have worked out well for the local product who was a prep standout at Federal Way High School.
"Everything has gone well," he said. "Compared to last season, I'm more comfortable in the offense. I'm just trying to work every day on staying comfortable, understanding techniques and working with Jake on pass patterns."
McClatcher credits Hamdan with aiding his development as a receiver, while the coach returns the praise by complimenting the work the standout has invested over his first two seasons with Washington.
"When you have a guy who plays with such great effort and wants it as bad as he does, you're going to see the guy continue to get better and better," Hamdan said. "There's no doubt he's one of the best football players on this team. He plays with a lot of energy. He plays with a lot of effort and I'm excited about what he's done so far."
But this is only the beginning. When a team has as many potential playmakers as the Huskies have established so far this season, the coaching staff is always looking for new ways to get the ball in the hands of those athletes.
McClatcher has "proven to be one of those guys," Hamdan said.
The early success is nice, but McClatcher doesn't plan on slowing down.
"It all starts in practice, having those reps," he said. "Our defense has done a great job of putting pressure on us, but we're working on it and we're going to get better from here."
His offensive mentality is simple. Play fast and find the end zone.
"We just want to score more," he said with a smile. "That's it."Β
