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Here's a quick snapshot of new Seahawks' WR Kasen Williams' career at Washington:
Year | School | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
*2011 | Washington | 13 | 36 | 427 | 11.9 | 6 |
*2012 | Washington | 13 | 77 | 878 | 11.4 | 6 |
2013 | Washington | 8 | 29 | 421 | 14.5 | 1 |
*2014 | Washington | 14 | 20 | 189 | 9.5 | 2 |
Career | Washington | 162 | 1915 | 11.8 | 15 |
Kasen released a 34-minute highlight tape with coaches film which covers his entire career at Washington. I found it very interesting to watch, and it served as a good reminder to me of what routes he can excel at when healthy.
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Kasen's college career peaked in 2012 (his sophomore year) were he played in 13 games and posted a 77 catch, 878 yard, 6 touchdown season. At that point, he looked like he was a lock to declare early. In 2013, Coach Sark changed the offense to an up-tempo spread offense, and Kasen was not as involved (one thing that should be mentioned is that UW could run up to 80-90 plays per game in this new system -- so he should get a high-volume of targets, in theory). That year, he had 29 catches for 421 yards and only 1 TD in eight games before his injury.
His senior year is most disappointing, even coming off injury with a new coach and poor quarterback play -- 20 catches for 189 yards and 2 TDs in 14 games is rough.
SUPPORTING CAST FOR KASEN
I thought it may be insightful to show the supporting cast for Kasen during his time at Washington, for context:
2011: UW went 7-6 and lost in the Alamo Bowl to Robert Griffin III. Coach Sark ran a pro-style offense during that freshman season. Kasen was a productive WR as a true freshman, and contributed as a punt returner. He played with QB Keith Price, RB Chris Polk, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, WR Kevin Smith (also now on the Seahawks), and WR Jermaine Kearse -- who was a team captain that season. Kearse was a Senior during Kasen William's Freshman year, and was the key starter, with Williams more a 3rd/4thoption.
2012: The 2012 version of the Huskies also went 7-6 and lost their bowl game to Boise State. The Huskies played that season at Century Link Field while Husky Stadium was under renovation. Kasen was the starting WR and played with QB Keith Price, TE ASJ, RB Bishop Sankey (the defense also had some NFL players in Danny Shelton, Andrew Hudson, Josh Shirley, Shaq Thompson, Desmond Trufant and Marcus Peters (Hau'oli Kikaha was hurt, I believe).
2013: The 2013 version of the Huskies went 9-4, with the defense switching to a 3-4 and the offense switching from a pro-style to a spread. The offense still had the stalwarts of Price, Sankey, ASJ and Kasen Williams. The other key WR were Kevin Smith and Jaydon Mickens. Williams and ASJ both got DUIs that offseason, and Kasen was hurt in the 8th game of the year (California) in the newly remodeled Husky Stadium. Williams injured his foot (Lisfranc) and broke his leg on the same play.
2014: The 2014 season for Kasen Williams never got off the ground. New Head Coach Chris Petersen finished 8-6 and continued with a spread offense, but UW had poor quarterback play under Cyler Miles and others. Price, ASJ and Sankey all left for the NFL (Price never stuck but Sankey and ASJ were 2nd rounders) and Williams was overshadowed by John Ross III and Jaydon Mickens as he fought to get back after his injury.
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I believe WR Kasen Williams could be an interesting player to develop on the Seahawks practice squad in 2015. I also believe NFL strength and conditioning will be nothing but a positive as he works to build back his legs after that play versus California back in 2013.