Washington adds ex-Oklahoma WR K.J. Young
K.J. Young has been given a second chance to play college football at the highest level.
Washington coach Chris Petersen confirmed Sunday that UW has added Young to its roster. Young, a junior wide receiver, began his career at Oklahoma, but was dismissed in May 2015 for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Petersen said he and his staff did their research about Young, including speaking with OU coach Bob Stoops, before adding him to the roster.
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“We talked to all the people he’s been with the last four years and watched his body of work and put the puzzle together and talked to him,” Petersen said per the Seattle Times. “We feel like he’s in a place where he’s going to come here and be successful. We’re excited to get him going.”
Young showed promise as a redshirt freshman for the Sooners, hauling in 19 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown. He spent the 2015 season at Riverside Community College in California and had 40 catches for 421 yards and six touchdowns in nine games.
With two years remaining and immediate eligibility, Young has a chance to make an impact in 2016.
UW doesn’t have many established playmakers at wideout, though speedy junior John Ross, who averaged nearly 22 yards per catch in 2014, is back after tearing an ACL last year. Dante Pettis (30 catches, 414 yards) and Brayden Lenius (26 catches, 307 yards) are back in the fold as well. Lenius missed spring ball, as did redshirt freshman Quinten Pounds, and Isaiah Renfro, another promising young receiver, decided to give up the game, so Young has an opportunity to quickly work his way toward the top of the depth chart.
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Washington is a trendy Pac-12 pick leading up to the season, which begins Sept. 3 at home against Rutgers.
For more Washington news, visit TheDawgReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
