College football is meant to be a very emotional game, but some who arrive at the University of Washington can’t help but have a passion and a feeling that runs much deeper than others.
They’re the legacy players, the ones with a kind of past family connection to the huskies that runs deep into their souls.
In the last two weeks: The Huskies have lost one, won one and two others have considered choosing this career path over time.
It’s a heavy responsibility to shoulder, as the pressure to uphold internal tradition sometimes overrides a talent assessment that doesn’t respond with a stipend up front.
Earlier this month, quarterback Sam Huard, son and nephew of former UW signal callers Damon and Brock, was visibly distressed when he called a press conference to explain his decision to enter the transfer portal because his desire to play immediately overshadowed his personal Dreams of husky glory finally suspended.
Last week, the Huskies extended a scholarship offer for Bronx “Boogie” Letuligasenoa, the San Diego edge-rusher who is the first cousin of UW defense tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa. But this California recruit has plenty of time to consider following in Tuli’s footsteps and continuing the family connection — he’s just a freshman at St. Augustine High School. Smaller than his cousin but just as physical.
Also, cornerback/running back Nahmier Robinson of Seattle’s Skyline High suburb announced that he’d been given a privileged opportunity to join the Huskies and expand a football line more dedicated than almost anyone else. His father Nate played cornerback for UW while his grandfather Jacque Robinson was a Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl MVP running back.
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Finally, on Monday, Roice Cleeland, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound center from Vancouver, Wash., and Portland’s Jesuit High — with a similar address and enrollment as now-former Husky offensive guard Jaxson Kirkland, who is another Legacy player was – revealed how he will continue at UW. Cleeland’s father, Cam, was an accomplished Montlake tight end before playing in the NFL and is now a Husky gameday broadcaster. Different positions in this family but same motivation.
Nahmier Robinson, center, has one of the longest running husky legacies that he must live up to if he wants to.
Robinson
Fellowships with potential financial sacrifices await the younger Robinson and Cleeland elsewhere. Robinson was offered by Portland State and Colorado State, while Cleeland has chances at Portland State and San Diego.
All of these football players are more unique in their own way than their contemporaries, with family histories either influencing their college football decisions or at least making them stop and think long and hard about what they should be doing.
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