DeBoer Singles Out JC Quarterback for His Scrimmage Play

Alex Johnson directed the Huskies' No. 3 offense.

Not to be rude or impertinent, but the University of Washington football program realistically is a place where walk-on quarterbacks come to die. Or maybe just disappear. 

Where previous Husky regimes used to set aside practice reps for non-scholarship signal-callers, Kalen DeBoer's staffers prefer to use scrimmage plays primarily on paid-for players at that position. 

The walk-on QBs are left to relay signals from the sideline, help other position areas run drills and generally be supportive while watching Michael Penix Jr. and Dylan Morris direct things.

On Friday, however, JC transfer and Seattle native Alex Johnson made a depth-chart breakthrough, stepping in and having considerable success while running the Huskies' No. 3 offense.

DeBoer was quick to point out this development when he met with reporters following the second of his three spring scrimmages. 

"We went with Alex," the coach said. "He did a really nice job. He made a lot of throws. Drove the ball down the field. Made some good decisions. I was impressed, considering how long he's been here."

DeBoer also praised the play of back-up wide receivers Giles Jackson and Germie Bernard. One has been making a lot of defenders miss lately, with the other getting up to speed with the UW's up-tempo offense and making plays. 

Back to Johnson, the lanky 6-foot-6, 214-pounder from Bishop Blanchet High School joined the Huskies this spring after playing two seasons for Santa Barbara City College, arriving once the new quarter began. He's participated in eight of the 11 practices now.

While he might turn out to be little more than a seat-warmer for Austin Mack, the Huskies' third scholarship quarterback and set to arrive this summer, Johnson, on this day, had the coaches talking about him.

"He threw the ball accurately whenever he had to make those throws," DeBoer said. "He bought some time with his legs. He did a nice job."

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