UW Huskies notes: All-Pac-12 left tackle Jaxson Kirkland set to return for final season
Jaxson Kirkland took to social media Thursday afternoon to deliver a message to Washington Huskies fans.
“Husky Nation — I’m back,” Kirkland, an anchor of the program’s offensive line the past four seasons, said at the end of a two-minute video announcing he is set to return to the roster ahead of the 2022 season.
Kirkland’s eligibility status for what will be his sixth season in Seattle was uncertain earlier this spring.
Following four impressive seasons with the Huskies — during which he was a two-time All-Pac-12 first-team selection in 2020 and 2021 — Kirkland was headed to the 2022 NFL Draft, but later withdrew due to ankle surgery this winter.
He enrolled in classes for spring quarter, Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer noted ahead of the start of spring practices in March, but UW continued to wait for clearance from the NCAA for Kirkland’s return after filing for a waiver.
His status remained uncertain throughout spring practices — which wrapped up with the program’s annual spring preview last weekend — but now Kirkland is ready to return for a final season with the Huskies.
“Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a Husky,” Kirkland said in his video message. “The purple and gold, the tradition — it runs through my veins. To carry on the family legacy was a dream of mine.
“Being developed into Sunday players is the standard we all set around here. This place is special. It has turned me into the man I am today. The brotherhood and the bonds that go along with being a Dawg are unbreakable for life.
“The atmosphere and the 70,000 faithful in Husky Stadium mean everything to me. Words cannot describe how much it would mean to me to step back on this field and put the purple and gold on with my brothers one more time. Getting that opportunity would allow me to leave this program on my terms.
“Husky Nation — I’m back.”
Kirkland’s return immediately adds significant experience to UW’s offensive line group.
After redshirting his first season on campus in 2017, Kirkland started each of the 39 games he played in the past four seasons, including 25 at right guard in 2018 and 2019, and 14 at left tackle in 2020 and 2021.
He started 10 of the Huskies’ 12 games at left tackle last fall, though he missed two games in October due to injury.
He has already played more than 2,500 offensive snaps for the Huskies during his career, per Pro Football Focus.
TRANSFER PORTAL UPDATE
Two former UW players — cornerback Jacobe Covington and running back Caleb Berry — entered the transfer portal this week.
Both announced their departures from UW on social media Tuesday.
Covington spent two seasons with the Huskies, appearing in 13 games, including all 12 of UW’s games during the 2021 season, during which he played 108 snaps, per PFF, including 84 on defense and 24 on special teams.
He was considered a four-star recruit at Saguaro (Ariz.) High School in the 2020 class, and held 18 more Power Five offers in addition to UW, including four more Pac-12 schools.
Berry did not appear in a game during his one season in Seattle.
He was considered a three-star recruit at Lufkin (Texas) High School in the 2021 class, and chose the Huskies over offers from 19 more Division I programs.
FOUR HUSKIES DRAFTED
Four former UW players — cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, tight end Cade Otton and center Luke Wattenberg — were selected during the 2022 NFL Draft last weekend.
McDuffie, following three impressive seasons in Seattle and an All-Pac-12 first-team nod last fall, was selected in the first round by Kansas City at No. 21 overall.
Gordon, another All-Pac-12 first-teamer, was selected in the second round by Chicago at No. 39 overall.
Tumwater High School product Otton, the 2016 Olympian All-Area player of the year, a former Class 2A state player of the year and All-Pac-12 first-team pick in 2020, was drafted in the fourth round by Tampa Bay at No. 106 overall.
Wattenberg, an All-Pac-12 honorable mention pick the past two seasons, was drafted in the fifth round by the Broncos at No. 171 overall.
This story was originally published May 5, 2022 at 4:11 PM.
