Denzel Boston close to returning
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1 of 2 | Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) scores a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
Denzel Boston doesn’t know where the time went.
Not so long ago, Boston was the ascending underclassmen with everything to prove. The player waiting in the wings. The one Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk anointed as the next great Husky wide receiver.
“I remember calling the older guys Unc and all that,” said Boston, the junior wide receiver preparing for his fourth season of college football. “Grandpa and all that stuff. And now, all the young guys call me that.”
Boston and the Huskies completed their 11th practice of fall camp on a blistering Tuesday afternoon on the east practice field. Boston has been limited since fall camp began, but continued to ramp up his activity before a potential Thursday return. Boston missed the entire spring following offseason cleanup surgery for a double sports hernia, but said his current status isn’t related to that injury.
“He’s excited to get back out there,” wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings said. “He’s anxious to get back out there, just because he wants to get back to work. He’s doing everything he’s supposed to do.”
Cummings said Boston’s time sidelined during the spring and early fall have allowed him to focus on his development away from the field. The wide receivers coach said Boston, the 6-foot-4, 209-pound wideout who enjoyed a breakout 2024 season with 834 yards receiving and nine touchdowns, has a complete understanding of the playbook entering his second year in the system. Cummings added it’s given Boston the confidence of a bona fide No. 1 receiver.
Boston said his time spent on the sideline allowed him to watch more film, slowing things down because he was able to visualize how he wants to implement the techniques he’s studying in his head instead of simply rushing out onto the field. Cummings and Boston also said the South Hill native has grown into a more vocal leadership role on the team, something sophomore wide receiver Rashid Williams noted, too.
“He’s always there to lift you up if you need it, get on you if you need it,” Williams said. “It’s just great having him there as a role model. A leader to look up to.”
Washington’s young wide receivers might need some encouragement from Boston after the offense endured a difficult practice Tuesday. Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was just 7-for-14 passing during 11-on-11 scrimmage periods. He was 1-for-6 during the 7-on-7 sessions, but threw a 5-yard touchdown to Rashid Williams and rushed for a 5-yard touchdown during a red zone period.
Rashid Williams and sophomore Audric Harris each caught three of their four targets during the 11-on-11 periods from Demond Williams Jr. and even they had difficult moments. Rashid Williams had a pass go through his hands while being covered by Davis, while Harris had a potential touchdown punched out by freshman cornerback Ramonz Adams Jr. when he tried to land in bounds.
Redshirt freshman running back Jordan Washington was the only other player to catch a pass during the practice. Cummings said there are still eight players in contention for the two starting receiver spots alongside Boston.
“Those decisions are going to have to be made pretty soon,” Cummings said. “That was my challenge to the guys today. Who’s going to separate themselves? Who’s going to be the guy that says, ‘I want to be one of those first three to come into the game. I’ve got to show it in practice.’
“So who’s going to do that? We’re still looking for it.”
Demond Williams Jr. also threw a pair of interceptions — both to senior cornerback Tacario Davis. One came during a 7-on-7 repetition when the sophomore quarterback underthrew a go route intended for Rashid Williams down the right sideline. The other came during an 11-on-11 period, when Demond Williams Jr. took a deep shot toward freshman wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck but instead found Davis.
Davis wasn’t the only member of UW’s secondary to have a good day. Junior safety Alex McLaughlin had two pass breakups on Demond Williams Jr. passes intended for sophomore tight end Decker DeGraaf during the 7-on-7 periods. Sixth-year safety Makell Esteen, fully reintegrated after being limited for several practices last week, intercepted fifth-year quarterback Kai Horton’s pass for Roebuck during the final 11-on-11 period.
Horton was also nearly intercepted during a 7-on-7 period after sophomore safety Vincent Holmes jumped a pass intended for seventh-year tight end Quentin Moore. Holmes also registered a tackle for a loss during a red zone 11-on-11 session, blowing up a toss play for freshman running back Quaid Carr.
Extra points:
- Horton threw two touchdowns, a 6-yard pass to walk-on receiver Luke Gayton during a red zone 7-on-7 period and an 18-yard slant to freshman wideout Chris Lawson during the final play of the practice.
- Sixth-year right guard Geirean Hatchett was a full participant with the top offensive line after leaving Saturday’s scrimmage early with an apparent injury. Freshman John Mills and redshirt freshman Paki Finau continued to rotate at left guard.
- Redshirt freshman Davit Boyajyan spent some of Tuesday’s practice playing center with the second offensive line, in place of sophomore Zachary Henning. Boyajyan was also pulled up to the second group after Hatchett’s injury Saturday, filling in at guard while Finau and Mills played right and left guard, respectively, with the top group.
- Junior linebacker Xe’ree Alexander also enjoyed a strong practice. He blew up a Rashid Williams jet sweep for a loss during 11-on-11 play, then disrupted a read-option play by getting to Demond Williams Jr. in the backfield.
- Senior kicker Grady Gross remained perfect during fall camp, converting two field goal attempts from 42 yards and one from 25 yards.
- Redshirt freshman defensive back Rahshawn Clark did not dress for practice. Sophomore Leroy Bryant and fifth-year senior Dyson McCutcheon played nickel in his absence.
- Scouts from the Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers — represented by former Husky tight end Mark Bruener — were in attendance at practice.
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Seattle Times staff reporter Andy Yamashita covers UW football.
Comments
Redshirt freshman defensive back Rahshawn Clark did not dress for practice.
Was he practicing naked?
Thanks Taft!
Aks @huskyhooligan .
He's feeling better. He's hooked on a feeling
I'm still not sold on Boston being a great WR this year. Gonna LIPO
If I was a nega dawg i would say it’s not a great sign that at this late date the offense is struggling to look good against our D ~ sounds like our WR room isn’t a strength at least at this point.
Let's just say that Googling "naked football player gif" did not produce the line of humorous photos I was looking for to respond to your post.
We need a tight end named Foghat. DeVigorous Foghat. #83
I view him and Jonah (if healthy) as the only sure things
Our 24/7 internet sports culture tends to crown their ass with players before it really happens. He was great the first half of 2024 then really faded away. He definitely flashed enough to show he should be one of the best WRs in the Big 10 in 2025, hopefully the best other than Smith at Ohio State, but he still has to show it. Demond also seemed to like to go to Giles a lot more so I'm worried they aren't connected the way you want you're QB/best WR to be.
I do wonder if he was hurt down the stretch last year as he had a clean up surgery it sounds after the season.
I'm optimistic Boston and Coleman do take that small extra step next year and are two of the best players in the conference.
Does Boston have more than a feeling?
Boston playing with two sports hernias the second half of last year is crazy. That injury saps all your explosion and suddenness. Constant pain with every cut and break. If he’s healthy he should be great this year. The rest of the WR not making a clear line in the sand on who’s 2-3-4 and who are the true back ups is concerning.
Booston's greatest catch was against Oregon game 12
Even more amazing.
Nothing about Boston has shown he's got a true killer instinct. Last year he was out played by a try hard midget. He's also hardly been practicing this off-season as far as I'm aware.
Obviously I think he's a good player and will probably be the best WR but I suspect Williams and Degraaf might challenge