One of the worst teams in the Pac-10 won’t have one of the conference’s best linebackers for some if not all of this season, as Washington’s E.J. Savannah, the team’s leading returning tackler, is academically ineligible to play this fall.
“When you lose a guy that you think is a top player, it’s a bit of a setback,” said defensive coordinator Ed Donatell of Savannah, who had 111 tackles last season and was Washington’s defensive player of the year.
The junior was already expected to miss the beginning of practice because of a broken humerus bone in his arm. Coach Tyrone Willingham said there’s a chance Savannah could still play at some point this year, but that even if the academics are fixed there are other issues that need to be resolved.
“Sometimes those things can change overnight. Sometimes they may be forever,” Willingham said.
Without Savannah, Willingham said the starting linebackers would be Donald Butler, Josh Gage (a former walk-on with seven career tackles) and Mason Foster.
“E.J. was our most productive linebacker last year, but then again I think E.J. has an obligation to this team that he has to take care of,” said Butler. “We have to move on. I hope E.J. is here, that’s my man, that’s my other linebacker out there with me, and he get’s after it. He plays emotional and I like the way he plays, but he hasn’t been doing the things he needs to do, obviously, and that’s why he’s not here. We’ll see.”
Linebacker was perceived to be a strength of UW this upcoming season compared to a young, inexperienced defensive line. UW is replacing six starters from last year’s defense, which was the worst in school history, giving up 31.6 points and 446.4 yards per game.
That unit also ranked last in the Pac-10 against the run (184.5 yards per game). There will be three new defensive linemen up front, a trio that combined for three total tackles last year.
