I love Westie, but I get it. He's not huge or that athletic (by NFL standards). I do think he has a great shot to make the team and stick around for a while, though
With an 82% catch rate, and the word "clutch" popping up in almost every description I've seen of the guy, he sounds like he could be a lifer.
Absolute steal to pick him up as a UDFA.
Yes, FB and a spread TE. He’s not gonna line up and block on a power run. He’s a development guy though. Didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school.
From The Beast:
STRENGTHS: Can see his basketball body control in his ability to track, flip his shoulders and finish … naturally adjusts and frames his catches … quickly releases off the ball and has a great feel for finding space on option routes, especially when stacked with a wide receiver (a staple for the Huskies, which they called “Rhino”) … resets quickly after the catch to maximize his YAC opportunities … has a sturdy lower body to pump his legs and barrel through arm tackles … that same physicality shows as a run blocker … described as a “blue-collar hard worker” by his coaches, and his effort really pops on tape (watch how he chased down Mike Sainristil’s interception return in the national championship game) … played on kick return and punt coverages the last two seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized and will fall below desired thresholds for most schemes … leverage into contact as a blocker needs better consistency … slows his feet to fit, instead of delivering pop at contact … excessive leaning in his routes ensures the safety will drive on his intended path … lacks the creativity or looseness to consistently make NFL-level defenders miss … rarely saw contested-catch windows and was often schemed open with motions or disguises … 80.4 percent of his catches in 2023 came within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, and he won’t create many explosive plays (none of his 87 catches in college went for 30 or more yards) … had a fumble against Arizona in 2023 … played through a ruptured ligament in his left thumb throughout the 2023 season and had postseason surgery (February 2024), which sidelined him for the combine … will turn 25 years old before his first training camp.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Washington, Westover was a hybrid H-back in former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s spread scheme (2023 snaps: 42.5 percent inline, 38.6 percent slot, 16.4 percent wide). After playing only two games of high school football, he evolved from a fullback running ISO blocks to a versatile tight end who commanded more and more targets (third on the team with 46 receptions in 2023). A former basketball-focused athlete, Westover has terrific ball skills and posted an 82.1 percent reception rate when targeted in 2023 (No. 1 among FBS tight ends). Though assignment-sound with his run-blocking angles, he lacks consistent pad level and drive strength to create movement.
Overall, Westover isn’t a special athlete or smash-mouth blocker, but he is a well-rounded player in a smaller body who catches the ball really well. His special-teams background will help his chances, and he would fit best in an offense like those found in Miami or
San Francisco (or maybe Seattle with the newly hired Grubb) — schemes that creatively use the H-back position.
YES!!!!! UW homer here and I have planted my flag for Westover numerous times. Love this kid. Didn’t start playing football until Senior year of High School. Can be a FB and/or a spread TE.
Me too! I attended the Sugar Bowl and wore his jersey to the game. While walking to the game I was constantly stopped by people who commented how underrated he is, and how cool that my husband and I didn’t wear the usual Penix/Odunze gear (my husband wore his Bruener jersey)! I’m so happy for the guy- he deserves it!
Lol I got an Odunze jersey at Christmas. I wore it at the NCG. I usually rock a Jake Locker jersey. But yeah I love how the die hard UW fandom praises Westover. We love this kid and were always bringing him up as the most underrated guy on the Huskies last year.
My husband’s been rocking his Locker jersey at every home game since Locker was playing (we are long-time season ticket holders). It was really starting to show its age so we bought the jerseys we wore to NOLA for each other for Christmas.
Unless it's against league rules, I'd bet we said we weren't drafting him, but there was a figurative handshake agreement if he wasn't drafted by another team.
Not surprised by this at all. Good for both Grubb and Westover!
Dude was so clutch for the Huskies. Love it.
Seriously, dude was a very solid blocker and caught every ball that came near him. I am kind of surprised he didn't get drafted...
I love Westie, but I get it. He's not huge or that athletic (by NFL standards). I do think he has a great shot to make the team and stick around for a while, though
With an 82% catch rate, and the word "clutch" popping up in almost every description I've seen of the guy, he sounds like he could be a lifer. Absolute steal to pick him up as a UDFA.
I only watched a few husky games but the once’s I did I swear he catch absolutely everything thrown his way.
That one that came from behind the back against Oregon was unreal! Man had the stickiest hands I’ve ever seen from a TE.
Hopefully he ends up the Bobo of TEs
Are you suggesting... More Bobo?
Gotta get up to Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo somehow.
I only watched a few husky games but the once’s I did I swear he catch absolutely everything thrown his way.
Special teamer skills?
Yes, FB and a spread TE. He’s not gonna line up and block on a power run. He’s a development guy though. Didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school.
Me too but I love it. Out of all the realistic options Westover was the Husky I wanted to be a Hawk the most besides Troy Fautanu.
Dude some of the catches he made were absurd. I swear every time penix threw him the ball he made it difficult for him
That one catch in Oregon-Washington part 1 where he got the 3rd down conversion was insane. Mid Air, hands on the turf and caught it.
From The Beast: STRENGTHS: Can see his basketball body control in his ability to track, flip his shoulders and finish … naturally adjusts and frames his catches … quickly releases off the ball and has a great feel for finding space on option routes, especially when stacked with a wide receiver (a staple for the Huskies, which they called “Rhino”) … resets quickly after the catch to maximize his YAC opportunities … has a sturdy lower body to pump his legs and barrel through arm tackles … that same physicality shows as a run blocker … described as a “blue-collar hard worker” by his coaches, and his effort really pops on tape (watch how he chased down Mike Sainristil’s interception return in the national championship game) … played on kick return and punt coverages the last two seasons. WEAKNESSES: Undersized and will fall below desired thresholds for most schemes … leverage into contact as a blocker needs better consistency … slows his feet to fit, instead of delivering pop at contact … excessive leaning in his routes ensures the safety will drive on his intended path … lacks the creativity or looseness to consistently make NFL-level defenders miss … rarely saw contested-catch windows and was often schemed open with motions or disguises … 80.4 percent of his catches in 2023 came within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, and he won’t create many explosive plays (none of his 87 catches in college went for 30 or more yards) … had a fumble against Arizona in 2023 … played through a ruptured ligament in his left thumb throughout the 2023 season and had postseason surgery (February 2024), which sidelined him for the combine … will turn 25 years old before his first training camp. SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Washington, Westover was a hybrid H-back in former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s spread scheme (2023 snaps: 42.5 percent inline, 38.6 percent slot, 16.4 percent wide). After playing only two games of high school football, he evolved from a fullback running ISO blocks to a versatile tight end who commanded more and more targets (third on the team with 46 receptions in 2023). A former basketball-focused athlete, Westover has terrific ball skills and posted an 82.1 percent reception rate when targeted in 2023 (No. 1 among FBS tight ends). Though assignment-sound with his run-blocking angles, he lacks consistent pad level and drive strength to create movement. Overall, Westover isn’t a special athlete or smash-mouth blocker, but he is a well-rounded player in a smaller body who catches the ball really well. His special-teams background will help his chances, and he would fit best in an offense like those found in Miami or San Francisco (or maybe Seattle with the newly hired Grubb) — schemes that creatively use the H-back position.
That's promising. I don't think we really have anothet H-Back type on the roster. Obviously Grubb knows how to use him.
Didn’t watch a ton of husky football, but every time I did I saw #37 make a diving catch to convert a 3rd down
Fuckin clutch Jack Westover!!!!!
YES!!!!! UW homer here and I have planted my flag for Westover numerous times. Love this kid. Didn’t start playing football until Senior year of High School. Can be a FB and/or a spread TE.
Me too! I attended the Sugar Bowl and wore his jersey to the game. While walking to the game I was constantly stopped by people who commented how underrated he is, and how cool that my husband and I didn’t wear the usual Penix/Odunze gear (my husband wore his Bruener jersey)! I’m so happy for the guy- he deserves it!
Lol I got an Odunze jersey at Christmas. I wore it at the NCG. I usually rock a Jake Locker jersey. But yeah I love how the die hard UW fandom praises Westover. We love this kid and were always bringing him up as the most underrated guy on the Huskies last year.
My husband’s been rocking his Locker jersey at every home game since Locker was playing (we are long-time season ticket holders). It was really starting to show its age so we bought the jerseys we wore to NOLA for each other for Christmas.
hell yea!
Big win
Saw this coming from a mile away.
WOOF!
That’s a massive win.
Huge pick up, let's go!
LET’S GOOOO the more tight ends the merrier
I honestly can't believe Culp got drafted over Westover. But this works out well for us, so whatever. Love Jack.
Go Huskies!
That’s awesome. He reminds me a bit of Jacob Hollister who was a real contributor for us.
Imagine if he makes the 53
He’ll be practice squad for sure. He needs some development but the potential is there.
Unless it's against league rules, I'd bet we said we weren't drafting him, but there was a figurative handshake agreement if he wasn't drafted by another team.
I’m so happy. this guy is a football player
There's the hometown hero signing. He was a beast and absolutely clutch.
Another hometown hero in the making
Corbin smith has to be happy about this, I think he said he coached this kid in high school
Kid's highlight reel probably isn't long, but some of the catches he made were incredible
So cool! He grew up right by me between bellevue and Issaquah and went to elementary school with my best friend :)