Latravis Washington wants playing time at QB

[Nexus]

LINCOLN — Nebraska football fans sure do like their quarterback chatter. How much will it hurt returning starter Zac Lee to miss spring ball while recovering from surgery? Does that mean Cody Green can win the job now?
Will Kody Spano get to show his skills after two ACL tears in the same knee? Is Taylor Martinez a real threat considering the high praise he got last week from coach Bo Pelini?

In the future, will walk-on Ron Kellogg III — son of former Kansas basketball star Ron Kellogg Jr. — get a chance? And how soon can 2010 recruit Brion Carnes get into the mix?

That's everybody, right?

Not quite. Ol' No. 15 — Latravis Washington — is still in the house, and he's taking Pelini at his word that the depth chart is in flux entering the 2010 season.

“I'm well in the mix,'' said the senior from Bradenton, Fla. “I talk on the field, I don't talk in the press. I let my play do the talking.

“Coach Pelini told us the first day he's going to play the best 11 on each side. So you've got to compete.''

A year ago, Washington converted from linebacker to quarterback. His big arm and some big plays in the 2009 spring game piqued interest. As the No. 3 quarterback last fall, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder saw mop-up duty in four games with three rushing attempts and no passes.

Washington said his drive to get more playing time has centered on smoothing out some mechanics.

“I've really focused on my release,'' he said. “I've started watching film to check my release points, and I'm focusing on that through these practices so far. That's a big deal to my game I need to improve.''

Though just in his second season at quarterback, Washington said he feels comfortable having absorbed coordinator Shawn Watson's offensive system.

“There's really not that much learning now,'' Washington said. “Coach Watson gives you a sheet and you tell him what you know, and he'll call those plays.

“I think I've accomplished a lot in a year.''

So has the entire quarterback group, he said.

“We're a close group,'' Washington said. “We're all friends. We stick together. We give each other feedback and try to critique each other. That's how we improve.''

The internal competition and feedback in some organizations can become petty and counterproductive. But that's not the case in Nebraska football under Pelini, Washington said.

“Guys respect each other,'' he said. “It's to the point where you don't want to let a teammate down. Competition is everything, and coach Pelini holds us to a high standard. So we hold everybody else to a high standard.

“Playing for coach Pelini, if you're not a guy who is going to bust your butt every day, he doesn't want you.''

As Washington enters his final spring drills at Nebraska, he admits to spending a few moments reminiscing.

“I've had a great college career here, and I would tell anybody that,'' he said. “It's been a fun ride, and I'm enjoying it.''

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[Igetbored216]

Does anyone really think LaTravis has a chance to be QB? I mean, unless all the others are injured I just don't see it happening. At least the kid's a hard worker though.

 

[RedDenver]

Does anyone really think LaTravis has a chance to be QB? I mean, unless all the others are injured I just don't see it happening. At least the kid's a hard worker though.

Based on how the QB's played last year, I'm surprised he didn't get on the field more. I'd say every single QB on the roster has a chance to be the starter, especially this year with all the uncertainty. LW looked decent in the spring game last year after only a dozen practices at QB, so he has that same chance to greatly improve in year 2 that keeps getting mentioned about Cody Green.

 

[huskered17]

I don't think he will get much playing time at that position, if any. I do like his attitude, towards his stay in Lincoln. Nebraska has been lucky most years to have kids like Latravis who understand "I" am part of a team and not "I" am the team. He and so far as I can tell, most of the rest of the team seems to think the same way. Which is why this program is back on track to be among the elite BCS teams again. I hope he gets a fair shot at the qb spot. The rest is up to him.

GBR!!!

 

[knapplc]

If we wanted to run a few series, I can't imagine why LaTravis wouldn't be in the game. He's got the body and the athleticism.

I think the fact that we saw Green come in last year on those plays (forget against whom) when we were backed up on our own goal line pretty much spelled the end of LTW's chances for playing time. LTW is bigger than Green, so if you're just going to bull forward, he's your guy. Bringing in Green to run those plays told me that LTW is WAY down on the depth chart.

 

[Enhance]

If we wanted to run a few series, I can't imagine why LaTravis wouldn't be in the game. He's got the body and the athleticism.

I think the fact that we saw Green come in last year on those plays (forget against whom) when we were backed up on our own goal line pretty much spelled the end of LTW's chances for playing time. LTW is bigger than Green, so if you're just going to bull forward, he's your guy. Bringing in Green to run those plays told me that LTW is WAY down on the depth chart.

This.

And btw, I believe one of the games you are referring to is the Big 12 Championship Game.

One thing I do know is this: I'm a realist. Every year there are tons of articles that throw out information about guys who are making pushes for playing time or guys who want more playing time, but then we never see them. I think the pecking order this year will be Lee/Green, Spano, and then Martinez/LTW (slashes mean idk who will be ahead of the other). If all of our quarterbacks stay healthy this year, I think the only time we'll hear LTW's name called is during senior night.

 

[druski_2k5]

I was calling for LaTravis last year to just show us anything! He has good speed being a converted linebacker, and I was dying to see a slant or a post route from him to see how he can throw it. I hope they find a way to get him on the field as a decoy, a wildcat, a trick play, or something. The guy has talent, I love his attitude, and it would be fun to see #15 running the show again under center.

 

[oNe]

If we wanted to run a few series, I can't imagine why LaTravis wouldn't be in the game. He's got the body and the athleticism.

I think the fact that we saw Green come in last year on those plays (forget against whom) when we were backed up on our own goal line pretty much spelled the end of LTW's chances for playing time. LTW is bigger than Green, so if you're just going to bull forward, he's your guy. Bringing in Green to run those plays told me that LTW is WAY down on the depth chart.

Wasn't it against Colorado after Lee tweeked his ankle?