Garfield High grad Deandre Coleman learning ropes at Cal, this week's UW opponent

The first homecoming for Deandre Coleman is at hand. But his first appearance in Husky Stadium will have to wait a few years.

The Garfield High graduate was generally considered the top recruit in the state last season, and after initially committing to play at Washington, he changed his mind after the Huskies began to struggle and the coaching future of Tyrone Willingham turned tenuous. Coleman eventually signed with California.

The Huskies host the Bears in their season finale at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Coleman will be on the sideline, but he won't be in uniform. He's spending this season as a redshirt.

Coleman says he was hoping to play this season, but understands the decision to give him a year of seasoning as well as learning the nuances of Cal's 3-4 defense — the Bears are the only team in the Pac-10 to run it as their base.

"It's good," he said. "I'm learning how to play the 3-4."

The 3-4 also simply means the Bears don't need as many active defensive linemen, and two of three starters are a junior and a senior.

"Our starters on the defensive line are excellent players and veterans, which Deandre benefits from as he continues to increase his knowledge of the game and physical abilities," said Cal coach Jeff Tedford. "He is certainly a talented player, and we are encouraged by what we've seen that he will be one of our top defensive linemen for several seasons to come."

One of the veterans on the line is another Washington product, Redmond High graduate Trevor Guyton, a backup defensive end. Guyton has 12 tackles and one sack this season.

"There have been points this season when he has played very well, and as he gains experience the frequency of those moments will continue to increase," Tedford said.

While Guyton attended high school in Washington, he'd spent most of his life in Philadelphia, so he wasn't too tied to the area and says the warmer climate of the Bay Area was a quick lure.

"I didn't really want to stay in Washington," he said.

Notes

• UW coach Steve Sarkisian said after Thursday's practice that center Ryan Tolar will not play this week due to a head injury suffered against Washington State. Sarkisian said that "we don't want to take any chances."

Redshirt freshman Mykenna Ikehara will get the start. It will be the first start for Ikehara, of Mililani, Hawaii, who has been slowed by a knee injury but is healthy.

• Defensive tackle Cameron Elisara, nursing a shoulder injury, didn't practice but Sarkisian said there's a chance he will play Saturday.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com