Converted LB taking return to QB one step at a time - Husker Forums - Husker Hooligans

**@venue** · 03-25-2009, 11:58 PM

As a linebacker, Latravis Washington used to joke with Shawn Watson, asking for a trick play, asking to throw the football.

“I use to go up there and mess with him a little bit, just kid around with him. But this time he ain’t playing anymore,” Washington said with a laugh.

It seemed a time warp at Nebraska’s first spring practice Wednesday. A guy from Bradenton, Fla., flinging passes around. Wearing No. 15.

Nebraska quarterback Latravis Washington during practice in the Hawks Center, Wednesday, March 25, 2009. (Ted Kirk)

Coincidence. Just the number that equipment manager Jay Terry gave him.

“Before I came out to practice, I was like, ‘Oh, God. Tommie Frazier. Same hometown …’”

The junior was approached by Watson, NU’s offensive coordinator, about switching from linebacker to quarterback the day before spring break. On Monday, the move was finalized.

Arm strength is no question with Washington. Watson knew that when he saw him a couple years ago at a Husker quarterback camp.

“I can throw the ball a little bit,” Washington said. “I need to work on a lot of stuff, just calming down and getting my feet under me.”

As a high school quarterback he drew attention from the likes of West Virginia, Ohio State, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State and Florida Atlantic.

But the offensive playbook in Bradenton wasn’t as thick as the one in Lincoln.

“When I first looked at it … it was like, ‘Oh, my God,’ ” Washington said. “There’s a lot of stuff thrown at you but you’ve just got to take it one piece at a time and break it down.”

With Patrick Witt gone, Watson said another quarterback was needed.

“We throw a ton, that’s just the nature of our offense,” Watson said. “You need four arms in camp.”

A permanent move? It’s hoped so.

“We’re not looking at it as a trial,” Watson said. “We’re going to give him the opportunity to do it. If not, we’d be doing him wrong.”

HuskerExtra.com - Lincoln, Nebraska - Football

**@venue** · 03-26-2009, 12:03 AM

Did not know that he and Tommie are from the same town. Interesting.

**HuskerFalcon** · 03-26-2009, 06:33 AM

i would actually rather have washington at LB, we need help there more than QB, and the odds of him becomeing our starter..is highly unlikely

**jimhusker06** · 03-26-2009, 07:49 AM

I agree with the staying at linebacker sentiment. He sounds plenty rusty according to the paper, and his high school stats were not impressive anyway.

**tattooedhusker** · 03-26-2009, 07:57 AM

Maybe he wasn't the LB we all thought, he may of had trouble grasping schemes, and the coaches felt it was his best interest to switch back (plus we needed the added depth)

**caveman99** · 03-26-2009, 08:00 AM

I think he had an even worse shot at playing at LB than QB. He wasn't showing the tenacity at LB and frankly the talent at LB this year is really high and really deep. Heck Dillard probably won't be the starter this year, that alone should tell you something.

At QB he is an injury away from getting into the game if he beats out Spano and Green. He was recruited by some good schools to play QB.

**caveman99** · 03-26-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattooedhusker

Maybe he wasn't the LB we all thought, he may of had trouble grasping schemes, and the coaches felt it was his best interest to switch back (plus we needed the added depth)

Rub on him has been his lack of intensity at LB. He tends to wait for plays to come to him instead of forcing the issue and being agressive.

**jimhusker06** · 03-26-2009, 08:18 AM

I really like the idea of our linebacker corps being stronger this year. Nebraska seemed to do quite well with what they had last year, but more talent and speed would be welcome.

**caveman99** · 03-26-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhusker06

I really like the idea of our linebacker corps being stronger this year. Nebraska seemed to do quite well with what they had last year, but more talent and speed would be welcome.

I agree and this is what was missing from last year's team. With an overall increase in team speed and athelticism on the D, we should see more forced turnovers and Bo forcing the action more with blitzs.

**jimhusker06** · 03-26-2009, 08:25 AM

Caveman: This is a little off topic, but do you know where Orange county NY is?

03-25-2009, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
@venue Shut 'Em Down Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 1,548	Converted LB taking return to QB one step at a time As a linebacker, Latravis Washington used to joke with Shawn Watson, asking for a trick play, asking to throw the football. “I use to go up there and mess with him a little bit, just kid around with him. But this time he ain’t playing anymore,” Washington said with a laugh. It seemed a time warp at Nebraska’s first spring practice Wednesday. A guy from Bradenton, Fla., flinging passes around. Wearing No. 15. Nebraska quarterback Latravis Washington during practice in the Hawks Center, Wednesday, March 25, 2009. (Ted Kirk) Coincidence. Just the number that equipment manager Jay Terry gave him. “Before I came out to practice, I was like, ‘Oh, God. Tommie Frazier. Same hometown …’” The junior was approached by Watson, NU’s offensive coordinator, about switching from linebacker to quarterback the day before spring break. On Monday, the move was finalized. Arm strength is no question with Washington. Watson knew that when he saw him a couple years ago at a Husker quarterback camp. “I can throw the ball a little bit,” Washington said. “I need to work on a lot of stuff, just calming down and getting my feet under me.” As a high school quarterback he drew attention from the likes of West Virginia, Ohio State, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State and Florida Atlantic. But the offensive playbook in Bradenton wasn’t as thick as the one in Lincoln. “When I first looked at it … it was like, ‘Oh, my God,’ ” Washington said. “There’s a lot of stuff thrown at you but you’ve just got to take it one piece at a time and break it down.” With Patrick Witt gone, Watson said another quarterback was needed. “We throw a ton, that’s just the nature of our offense,” Watson said. “You need four arms in camp.” A permanent move? It’s hoped so. “We’re not looking at it as a trial,” Watson said. “We’re going to give him the opportunity to do it. If not, we’d be doing him wrong.” HuskerExtra.com - Lincoln, Nebraska - Football __________________ >>> twitter.com/huskerhooligans <<< >>> facebook.com/huskerhooligans <<< >>> 1,000,000 Nebraska Cornhusker Fans <<< A Husker Hooligan isn't a street hooldum that fights with rival fans. Rather, a fan who is deeply passionate for the the best team in the land... GO BIG RED!!

03-26-2009, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
@venue Shut 'Em Down Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 1,548	Did not know that he and Tommie are from the same town. Interesting. __________________ >>> twitter.com/huskerhooligans <<< >>> facebook.com/huskerhooligans <<< >>> 1,000,000 Nebraska Cornhusker Fans <<< A Husker Hooligan isn't a street hooldum that fights with rival fans. Rather, a fan who is deeply passionate for the the best team in the land... GO BIG RED!!

03-26-2009, 06:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
HuskerFalcon Addicted To Red Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: annoying state of Iowa Posts: 1,164	i would actually rather have washington at LB, we need help there more than QB, and the odds of him becomeing our starter..is highly unlikely __________________

03-26-2009, 07:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
tattooedhusker Big Red Beer Drinker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Omaha, Ne Posts: 1,564	Maybe he wasn't the LB we all thought, he may of had trouble grasping schemes, and the coaches felt it was his best interest to switch back (plus we needed the added depth) __________________ 'One school leaving a conference does not break up a conference....6 schools leaving a conference breaks up a conference. '

03-26-2009, 08:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
caveman99 Because I am not Default Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: White Plains, NY Posts: 2,100	I think he had an even worse shot at playing at LB than QB. He wasn't showing the tenacity at LB and frankly the talent at LB this year is really high and really deep. Heck Dillard probably won't be the starter this year, that alone should tell you something. At QB he is an injury away from getting into the game if he beats out Spano and Green. He was recruited by some good schools to play QB. __________________ MY BATTLE CRY!!!!!

03-26-2009, 07:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
jimhusker06 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 17	I agree with the staying at linebacker sentiment. He sounds plenty rusty according to the paper, and his high school stats were not impressive anyway.

03-26-2009, 08:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
jimhusker06 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 17	I really like the idea of our linebacker corps being stronger this year. Nebraska seemed to do quite well with what they had last year, but more talent and speed would be welcome.

03-26-2009, 08:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
jimhusker06 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 17	Caveman: This is a little off topic, but do you know where Orange county NY is?

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