Washington legacy, former 5-star QB Sam Huard enters transfer portal
Washington’s quarterback depth took a hit Tuesday evening when former 5-star recruit and Husky legacy Sam Huard announced he was entering the transfer portal and leaving the program after two seasons.
Huard met with reporters to explain the decision, saying he went back and forth for weeks and had multiple discussions with UW head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
“Part of me just really wanted me to stick it out and continue to just grow and develop and then hopefully get my opportunity down the road,” Huard said, per King 5 Seattle’s Jake García. “Just kind of wanting a fresh start and a chance to compete to play is really what really ultimately led me to making this decision.”
Huard starred at Kennedy Catholic, where he broke the state record for career passing yards in his final high school game. In a win, Huard threw for 514 yards and eight touchdowns to finish his career with 13,214 yards and 153 career touchdowns.
A 5-star prospect ranked as the 12th-best prospect in the country and the third-best quarterback during the 2020 recruiting class, Huard had his pick of schools before ultimately deciding to remain home where his father and uncles played/coached.
Huard’s father, Damon, played quarterback at Washington in the 90s and finished his career as UW’s all-time leading passer by yardage. Damon went on to a 12-year career in the NFL, winning two Super Bowl rings.
Huard’s uncle, Brock, took over as the Huskies’ starting quarterback when Damon left and broke his older brother’s UW passing yards record before playing for the Colts and Seahawks in the NFL. Huard’s other uncle, Luke, played football at North Carolina before later becoming a graduate assistant at UW.
The 6-foot-2 Huard departs Washington after throwing just 44 passes in two seasons. He started in the 2021 Apple Cup, a game UW lost 40-13, and then attempted just two passes this past season.
With Michael Penix Jr. taking over and turning in a campaign worthy of Heisman consideration, there was little opportunity for Huard to get on the field. Penix’s decision to return in 2023 forced the issue.
With 2023 passer Lincoln Kienholz flipping his commitment from UW to Ohio State late in the recruiting cycle, the Huskies are looking at a second straight class without a high school quarterback. Huard’s departure will leave the program with just two scholarship quarterbacks heading into the spring — Penix and 2021 starter Dylan Morris.
Penix’s injury history is worth mentioning here. Prior to coming to UW, Penix went four consecutive seasons without playing more than six games. UW kept him upright in 2022, allowing only seven sacks in 13 games. It’ll need to do the same next season.
Look for the Huskies to take a deep scan of the transfer quarterback landscape going forward, though.