Originally published Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Former Husky J.R. Hasty to play at Central Washington

Former Washington running back J.R. Hasty is resuming his college career at Central Washington University, a school spokesman said today. Hasty was scheduled to take part in the team's first practice of the season this afternoon. The Wildcats are a Division-II school and Hasty is eligible to play immediately, with two years of eligibility left.

By Bob Condotta

Seattle Times staff reporter

Former Husky running back J.R. Hasty is resuming his college career at Central Washington University, a school spokesman said today.

Hasty was scheduled to take part in the team's first practice of the season this afternoon. The Wildcats are a Division-II school and Hasty is eligible to play immediately, with two years of eligibility left.

Hasty, a former Bellevue High star, was the plum of Tyrone Willingham's first recruiting class at UW in 2005. But his career never got off the ground as he redshirted his first year, then was academically ineligible in 2006.

He then struggled to get into the lineup last season, getting just six carries for 18 yards. He quit the team briefly at midseason, saying he didn't think he was getting a fair chance. He returned to the team after missing one game, but never played again.

He was then suspended for most of spring ball due to failing to fulfill team requirements for offseason workouts. Hasty said he hoped to return to the team but was told in June that his scholarship would not be renewed.

Hasty said Willingham told him then that he "kind of just didn't really trust me, I guess."

Hasty said in a recent interview he hoped to stay as close to home as possible and also wanted somewhere he could play immediately without sitting out.

He'll also be following in his father's footsteps at Central. James Hasty played at Central for two seasons, 1984-85, before deciding to walk on at Washington State, where he finished his college career.

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