Washington Huskies star cornerback makes huge decision on football future

The Washington Huskies are attempting to get back into the top-tier of the Pac-12 under new head coach Kalen DeBoer after the ugly departure of former coach Jimmy Lake.

According to On3’s Matt Zenitz, the Huskies will enter next season without one of their top defensive backs.

“Washington redshirt sophomore cornerback Kyler Gordon, a first-team All-Pac 12 selection, is entering the NFL draft, a source told @on3sports,” Zenitz reported. “Has already signed with an agent.”

While Trent McDuffie, the other star Washington Huskies standout cornerback who played opposite of Gordon has gained the most NFL hype, with many NFL draft experts giving him a first-round grade, Gordon’s stock has continued to rise according to multiple draft analysts.

Here’s what Pro Football Network— a site focused on scouting and grading college players for the NFL– said about Gordon’s potential.

“Gordon is an extremely explosive and twitchy athlete who accelerates quickly and emanates energy in coverage. He’s a fluid mover with smooth hips and easy change-of-direction ability. Moreover, the Washington CB possesses impressive agility in short ranges. He can get low in his stance and stack quick direction changes while keeping his balance.”

Washington Huskies lose both star cornerbacks

Washington has now lost their top two defensive backs to the NFL. Nearly a week ago, Huskies defensive star Trent McDuffie announced he’s entering the NFL Draft.

“University of Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie is leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft, he tells Yahoo Sports,” tweeted Pete Thamel. “Trent McDuffie projects as a back-half of the first round prospect after starring on UW’s top-ranked pass D.”

Moreover, McDuffie elaborated to Thamel on what went into his decision to leave Washington for the NFL.

“We decided it was the best time for me to take this next step on this new adventure,” McDuffie told Thamel.

“I am very hard-nosed, physical and disciplined, and I’d like to call myself a technician,” McDuffie said via Yahoo. “I’m a film junkie and am dedicated to the details of my position and to the details of football.”

In the past, Washington has sent players like Budda Baker and Sidney Jones to the league. Now, McDuffie is hoping to be the next Huskies star to become an impact player in the NFL.

Moreover, playing in the shadow of great players like those two can be tough for a college star. However, McDuffie revealed that it only motivated him more.

“I think it’s definitely something I take pride in,” McDuffie stated. “From the past, guys like Budda Baker and Sidney Jones, they really set a standard and a way for the country to look at Washington defensive backs. This year, I took that on myself to make sure I took that standard and raised it a little bit more.”

Trent McDuffie will look to continue that standard at the next level.