UW Football | Huskies' air game gets boost

The future of Washington's receiving corps arrived this week, and as happy as the coaches might have been to see some reinforcements arrive, it's doubtful they could top the reaction of one of the players.

"To be honest with you, when I first got here I broke down in tears," said Anthony Boyles, one of three UW receivers who enrolled this week. "It was like, "I'm finally here after all this time.' "

Boyles, from Compton, Calif., and Denver's Devin Aguilar were ineligible last fall after falling shy of the needed tests scores. But after getting passing scores, they began classes this week.

Also arriving this week is Chris Polk, who graduated from Redlands (Calif.) East Valley High School last month and decided to get a head start on his college career, an increasing trend.

"My mom didn't want me to sit and waste time in high school if I could get to college and learn the playbook and get a head start on my classes," Polk said.

All three worked out Thursday afternoon along with quarterback Jake Locker and several other Huskies in an informal 7-on-7 drill. Huskies coaches say the sessions are vital for the team's success next season. Washington lost five seniors from last year's team to graduation, and all three of the newcomers are expected to play immediately.

That's just fine with Polk, who says the thought of early playing time was among his biggest reasons for coming to UW.

Polk, who also was a standout running back in high school, is among the highest rated of UW's Class of 2008 recruits, having originally committed to USC early last year before changing his mind.

Polk said he got a better vibe from UW players and coaches than he did from those at USC.

"Here it seems like they are not just out for themselves," he said. "They are going to help you get ahead."

No word on coaches

The Huskies still have openings for three assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator.

One rumored name for defensive coordinator is Tom Williams, the special-teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was linebackers coach at UW from 1999 to 2001 under Rick Neuheisel, and later was co-defensive coordinator at Stanford. Another possibility is Bill Young, defensive coordinator at Kansas.