Washington Security Vince Nunley Accesses the Transfer Website
The defensive back departs to join a new team, becoming the first Husky to do so.
December will see a lot of activity from the Washington Huskies on the transfer portal, which also means that players will be departing the program to look for other opportunities. Vince Nunley, a sophomore safety, became the first member of coach Kalen DeBoer’s squad to log in on Tuesday.
Nunley’s decision to use the portal is understandable given his difficulties this season in continuing to play despite what DeBoer merely called “personal reasons.”
Nunley missed six of the team’s final eight games following a strong start to the season, which included his first career start against Michigan State and the best game of his Husky career against the Arizona Wildcats.
After Washington’s trip to Arizona, he missed three games, came back for the Husky games against USC and Utah, but didn’t play again following his team’s 35-27 victory over the Utes. Out of the four players, he was the one who began at free safety.
The Oakland, California-based Freedom High School three-star recruit still has three years left to be eligible at any school he wants.
Nunley would be eligible for a medical redshirt if he sustained a season-ending injury on special teams during Washington’s opening game against Kent State in 2022 and never returned to the field.
This opens up a scholarship spot at a time when DeBoer’s staff members will likely need to use the transfer portal to handle staffing shortages. Washington’s secondary will be thin at the back end after the season with the departure of senior safety Dominique Hampton and the potential departure of senior Asa Turner, who still has eligibility.
The group has very little experience overall, despite the fact that true freshmen Vincent Holmes and Diesel Gordon seem to have some promise and that 2024 commits Peyton Waters and Joshua Lair are players with high upside.
The position group would gain experience and a seasoned player who could help mentor some of the younger players, similar to what Oklahoma State transfer Jabbar Muhammad has done with the cornerbacks this season, if a safety was added through the portal.
Nunley’s exit may also indicate a stronger push by Washington’s coaching staff for Paul Mencke Jr., a 4-star safety from Cibolo, Texas’ Samuel Clemons High School.
Mencke, who is presently committed to Duke, visited Washington for the Apple Cup in an unofficial capacity and may make an official trip before the early signing period begins on December 20.
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Huskies quarterback Sam Huard ‘back and forth’ prior to logging into the transfer portal.
Sam Huard, the quarterback, announced his entry into the portal, describing it as a difficult choice.
Another gifted player is leaving the Washington Huskies due to the transfer portal.
Sam Huard, the quarterback, announced that he is going through the portal. He described it as a difficult choice, but one he felt compelled to make in order to increase his playing time.
In an unplanned press conference on Tuesday, Huard stated that he had made up his mind two nights prior.
Huard admitted, “I was definitely back and forth.” “I tried to take the emotion side out of it and just look at it from a business standpoint and just kind of feeling what I have to do, what’s best for me and my life right now and for my future in college football.”
During his two years with the Huskies, Huard played in five games and completed 24 of 44 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. Huard would have probably had to wait at least another season to get a chance at the starting job because Michael Penix Junior would return the following season. That was a major consideration in Huard’s choice, he claimed.
“I know how big he is for this program and how great of a player he is,” Huard said. “Next year, he will start. Right now, it’s his team.”
Huard understands he’s bidding farewell to a formidable program that boasts one of the nation’s best offenses. Because of DeBoer and his coaching staff, he claimed to have learned a great deal.
“I believe that was the most difficult aspect of it. With fantastic players and coaches all around me, I know I’m in a great position right now,” Huard remarked. “Coach (Ryan) Grubb really challenged me and helped me grow, but considering the situation and my current state of mind, what matters most to me is getting a chance to play and compete, wherever that may be.
“Over the past few weeks, coaches DeBoer and Grubb have really spent a lot of time with me. They have been incredibly supportive throughout the several meetings we’ve had. They understand the circumstances and the significance of this place for me, but they also understand how much I want to play right now. I sincerely appreciate all of their help. Their concern for all the guys on the team, not just me, is something I truly admire about them. They genuinely care about our well-being. To me, it truly meant the world.”
Huard admitted, “I was definitely back and forth.” “I tried to take the emotion side out of it and just look at it from a business standpoint and just kind of feeling what I have to do, what’s best for me and my life right now and for my future in college football.”
During his two years with the Huskies, Huard played in five games and completed 24 of 44 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown. Huard would have probably had to wait at least another season to get a chance at the starting job because Michael Penix Junior would return the following season. That was a major consideration in Huard’s choice, he claimed.
“I know how big he is for this program and how great of a player he is,” Huard said. “Next year, he will start. Right now, it’s his team.”
Huard understands he’s bidding farewell to a formidable program that boasts one of the nation’s best offenses. Because of DeBoer and his coaching staff, he claimed to have learned a great deal.
“I believe that was the most difficult aspect of it. With fantastic players and coaches all around me, I know I’m in a great position right now,” Huard remarked. “Coach (Ryan) Grubb really challenged me and helped me grow, but considering the situation and my current state of mind, what matters most to me is getting a chance to play and compete, wherever that may be.
“Over the past few weeks, coaches DeBoer and Grubb have really spent a lot of time with me. They have been incredibly supportive throughout the several meetings we’ve had. They understand the circumstances and the significance of this place for me, but they also understand how much I want to play right now. I sincerely appreciate all of their help. Their concern for all the guys on the team, not just me, is something I truly admire about them. They genuinely care about our well-being. To me, it truly meant the world.”
Huard graduated from Kennedy Catholic High School as a five-star recruit. Despite having all the physical attributes to succeed as a quarterback at the highest level—he weighs 195 pounds and is 6 feet 2 inches tall—he acknowledges that he is stepping into a very unknown.
“There’s a lot of schools out there, but it’s kind of late in the portal process,” Huard stated. Numerous quarterbacks have entered the portal and discovered new locations, so many schools currently have their quarterback. In the end, I’m just going to consider what’s most advantageous for me at this time. I just want to find the best place where I can compete, go play, and develop both as a football player and a person. I don’t care what level it is at right now.”
In the early 1990s, Huard’s father, Damon, established his own legacy at Washington University by leading the Huskies to a historic victory that ended Miami’s 58-game home winning streak. Sam consulted his father before deciding to transfer.
“He mentioned that back then, there was no transfer portal. All we could do was endure it.”
In any case, Huard is appreciative of all the help he’s gotten from friends and family.
“To know how many people I’m fortunate to have around me supporting me during this process means the world to me.”
“Playing quarterback in college football is a difficult position. There has been much hardship and a grind throughout this process. It’s been a few years since I’ve grown. I am extremely fortunate to have so many people supporting me and assisting me in making important decisions like this one, as I could not have completed this process on my own.”
