How new Doog Legend Deven Bryant has stood out at Husky fall camp

 By Andy YamashitaSeattle Times staff reporter

For Brian Odom, the list of positive traits possessed by sophomore linebacker Deven Bryant never seems to end. 

Odom, UW’s new linebackers coach, can wax lyrical about Bryant’s football intelligence. He’s happy to praise the 5-foot-11, 234-pound linebacker’s consistency, anticipation, work ethic and communication skills. It’s what made Bryant stand out as one of the top performers during spring practices and gave him an inside track to a starting spot this season. 

But now, Odom can add another new characteristic when he describes Bryant.

“I think there’s a lot of confidence that he’s generated through spring,” Odom said. “I think that ongoing repetition of making plays gives you more confidence as you move forward.” 

Odom, Bryant and the Huskies completed their 12th practice of fall camp on an overcast Wednesday afternoon on the east practice field. Bryant’s momentum from spring practices has continued, with the third-year sophomore firmly establishing himself as part of UW’s top linebacker tandem along with Washington State transfer Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah, while his confidence is translating into playing more reactionary, free-flowing football. 

“I just know I can make the play,” Bryant said. “I don’t have to second guess it. I don’t have to think about if this is going to happen, then something else is going to happen. I’m confident in myself that I can go out there and make the play.”

While Bryant’s partially fueled by his strong play and increased role, the Southern California native added he has a better understanding of the full defense than he did during the spring. Bryant said his focus during the summer was learning what the secondary is doing on each play, instead of solely focusing on the assignments of the defensive linemen and linebackers. 

Knowing each assignment and executing the game plan, Bryant said, is part of how he and Al-Uqdah plan to overcome any concerns about their size. 

Washington has five scholarship linebackers listed at 6-0 or shorter: Bryant, Al-Uqdah, senior Jacob Manu, senior Anthony Ward and freshman Jonathan Epperson Jr. But Bryant, who was an extremely productive player at Southern California powerhouse St. John Bosco High, said he doesn’t believe height matters nearly as much as understanding the scheme. 

“If you can play ball,” he said, “you can play ball.”

Bryant and the Washington defense enjoyed another strong practice Wednesday, though the team did limited amounts of scrimmaging and were not in full pads. The Huskies intercepted three passes, picking off fifth-year quarterback Kai Horton twice and sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. once. 

Horton was intercepted for the first time during a 7-on-7 period when senior wide receiver Omari Evans had the ball punched out of his hands by fifth-year defensive back Dyson McCutcheon and floated straight to walk-on linebacker Griffin Miller. Sophomore safety Vincent Holmes also intercepted Horton during an 11-on-11 period. 

Williams threw his lone interception during a late 11-on-11 session. Targeting sophomore tight end Decker DeGraaf on a quick out route, Williams had his pass tipped by junior safety Alex McLaughlin, who then secured the ball as he fell to the ground. It’s the second consecutive day the Northern Arizona transfer has enjoyed a strong performance specifically against DeGraaf. McLaughlin had two pass breakups while in coverage against the tight end during Tuesday’s 7-on-7 session. 

Despite the interception, Williams was generally solid Wednesday. He led a 70-yard drive during the limited 11-on-11 period early in the practice, completing four of his five passes, including a 14-yard touchdown to sophomore receiver Audric Harris on a drag route. The drive also included Williams’ best throw of the day, a 35-yard pass to DeGraaf on a corner route, beating fifth-year safety CJ Christian. 

Horton’s drive during the same period was significantly less successful. Going against Bryant and the top defense, Horton was sacked twice by fifth-year edge rusher Zach Durfee, effectively ending the drive. 

Harris proved again to be one of Williams’ most reliable targets, and was one of the first three receivers on the field with the offense, joined by Evans in the slot and sophomore Rashid Williams. However, with junior Denzel Boston’s imminent return, one will likely be moved out of a starting spot. 

Extra points: 

• Redshirt freshman defensive back Rahshawn Clark was absent for a second-consecutive practice. Without Clark, who is heavily involved in the competition to be the starting punt returner, the Huskies gave opportunities to junior wide receiver Kevin Green Jr. and Boston. 
• Sophomore running back Adam Mohammed, senior Jonah Coleman, redshirt freshman Jordan Washington and true freshman Quaid Carr all returned kickoffs. 
• Senior defensive lineman Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei also registered a sack after the pocket collapsed around Williams during a late 11-on-11 period. Durfee was also involved in forcing Williams toward Uiagalelei. 
• Freshman wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright returned after being limited for the past few practices, and got his first extensive time working in the slot. Vines-Bright previously spent a majority of his snaps in Boston’s spot with the top offense before getting injured, and hauled in Horton’s best pass of the day — a 30-yard pass down the left sideline during a 7-on-7 period after Vines-Bright sold McCutcheon with a double move. 
• Scouts from the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers attended practice.

Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Seattle Times staff reporter Andy Yamashita covers UW football.