Quarterback
Here's all you need to know about Casey Paus' performance as a full-time starter in 2004: It's quite possible he'll now be fourth-string. Willingham opened up the QB competition, and he won't show his cards until the fall. We think Isaiah Stanback wins the job. He's got an incredibly strong arm and tremendous speed (4.4-sec 40). He's also been a workhorse in the film room in learning the new system. Oregon-transfer Johnny DuRocher brings his strong arm to the Huskies, and he'll be behind Stanback. Paus (former prep all-American) just couldn't get it done last year (42.3 completion percentage; 5 TD to 17 INT) and may even wind up behind Carl Bonnell, a Washington State-transfer.

Running Back
It's amazing that the Huskies were so bad on the ground (ranked 90th), because they've got a stable of talented backs. There's a good chance the Huskies go with a backfield by committee, but Kenny James is the best of the bunch. He's fast but uses his leg strength to be a power back. The team's leading rusher in 2004, he'll get the bulk of the carries again. Also-quick Louis Rankin is turning heads, though. Fast and strong Chris Singleton, as well as the super athletic Shelton Sampson, will also get carries. The starting fullback will once again be James Sims, who has tailback ability, but fullback toughness. He's versatile running the ball or catching it. Depth at both spots means fresh legs and strong results will be expected into the fourth quarter of most games.

Receiver
There certainly isn't a lack of talent here with Craig Chambers (No. 11 prep WR in 2003), Charles Smith, Corey Williams and Sonny Shackelford. As talented as they are, none has really emerged as a big-time player. Shackelford (4.4-sec 40) is one of the strongest and fastest in the group. The bet is that he'll step forward and be the top option. Chambers showed off his brilliant speed in 2004 (21.5 yards per catch), but had a subpar spring. He'll bounce back and have a big year. Williams will find open seams, and smallish Smith will also make an impact. Of course, having a quarterback with the ability to get these guys the ball would help most.

Tight End
The Huskies are searching for a starter here, after moving their most experienced TE - Joe Toledo - to tackle. That will leave the starting job to Robert Lewis, a former top recruit at LB. He's big, has good speed (4.55-40), and now has the most experience, having just caught five. "Power forward" Dash Crutchley will also get some snaps here.

Offensive Line
At least this one area is settled…well, sort of. The Huskies return four of their five starters. For all the struggles UW had in 2004, the offensive line did an admirable job, allowing just 23 sacks. The 3.2-yards per carry on the ground can improve, and it will with the experience the Dawgs now have. The one spot that isn't settled is at (the volatile) left tackle spot. Because of experience at tight end, Toledo has got the quickness to be quality blindside protection.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Offensive breakdown - ironically, it's an accurate description for the Husky ball movement(s) in 2004. Washington was the nation's lowest-scoring team and ranked 103rd in total offense. What became a one-year experiment to bring in some "option" ended with the departure of head man Keith Gilbertson. Willingham will install the West Coast offense he tried to employ at Notre Dame and did employ at Stanford. Willingham has better athletes here than he did in South Bend, though. The QBs, especially, are more of what his system needs - strong pocket guys who can also run (not the other way around, like Quinn was). Even with the uncertainty surrounding the QBs, the Huskies will be a much improved offense in 2005, scoring about a touchdown more per game.

Defensive Line
The best player - and best pro prospect - on this team is DT Manase Hopoi. The former DE has been Washington's best pass rusher since he arrived, and he racked up nine more sacks in 2004. Hopoi isn't just a pass-rush specialist, though. He's got great speed and quickness for his size, which is why he led the Pac-10 and finished second in country in TFLs (22). He's a first-team all-Pac 10 lineman and an across-the-board all-American candidate. There's decent talent around him, with massive Jordan White-Frisbee manning the other tackle spot, where he's a rock against the run. The DE spots haven't been settled, but Greyson Gunheim will lock down one side. This soph is a tremendous athlete, possessing the speed (4.49-40), power and agility (36-inch vertical) to be a quality player.

Linebacker
Say this for the Husky linebackers: they make plays. Evan Benjamin (105 tackles), Joe Lobendahn (100) and Scott White (83) all return after finishing 1-2-3 on the team. Benjamin's athleticism made his transition from safety to LB (a year ago) a smooth one. He will fly all over the field and make impact plays against the run and the pass. Lobendahn and White are similar players, in that both have the instincts to be in the right place at the right time, as well as the toughness to get the job done. Both are TFL and sack savvy. This is the unquestioned strength of this D.

Defensive Back
The Husky pass defense actually ranked as one of the nation's best (17th), but finished much lower (61st) in efficiency. Since teams ran it easily, therefore, their passing games were effective when tapped, but they obviously then weren't needed for huge chunks. Now, they have to replace both cornerbacks. Last year's No. 3 corner, Matt Fountaine is the top returner. He's a strong tackler and also has the speed needed (10.71-sec 100) after spending time on the Husky track team. A pair of "transfers" - Roy Lewis (San Jose State) and Chris Handy (Nevada) - will be counted on to fill the void(s), as well. Lewis is a strong cover corner with the speed to hang with any receiver(s). Handy is a wild card - he's got the physical skills to be a good corner, but also has a rap sheet (dismissed from Nevada after misdemeanor battery). As much uncertainty as there is around the corners, the safeties are just as solid, with C.J. Wallace and Dashon Goldson returning to their starting spots. They'll be the leaders of the secondary and both are great at providing help in downfield coverage.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
When the new coaching staff took over, they noticed that, more than anything, Washington gave up too many big plays. DC Kent Baer is out to change that. He's had success as Willingham's coordinator at both Stanford and Notre Dame. The run defense and scoring allowed (both ranked 83rd) were what hurt the Huskies most, while the pass defense was somewhat solid. The front seven is sound with Hopoi as the anchor and all three linebackers back, while the secondary should be fine with the talent supplied. Underneath routes may be open early as the LBs are needed for run support. We'd be surprised if the Huskies were as bad on defense as they were a year ago.