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The promise of a big pile of money waiting in the NFL couldn't
overpower quarterback Jake Locker's belief that he had goals to
accomplish before he leaves Washington.
That's the simple explanation of why Locker - a likely high
first-round pick - decided to bypass the wealth of the pros for one
more season at Washington and a chance to restore the luster to the
once proud program.
"The only reason for going was because there's a lot of money
involved. I didn't care about that. That's not what it's about for
me," Locker said on Friday, his first extended comments about his
decision since it was announced on Dec. 14. "I want to enjoy what
I'm doing. So when I looked at it that way, it was a real easy
decision for me."
In making that decision, Locker gave up a chance to possibly
be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft - as some pundits
predicted - instead returning to Washington on the gamble that a
5-7 team can make another huge stride and find itself back in the
postseason about a year from now.
There's plenty of risk involved. Oklahoma quarterback Sam
Bradford and the shoulder injury that cost him almost nearly the
entire 2009 season is exhibit No. 1 of the perils Locker
potentially faces by returning.
But Locker only sees the benefits. He gets another year under
the coaching of Steve Sarkisian with the opportunity to make
additional strides in becoming a better passer to go along with his
uncanny running skills. Then there's the opportunity to parlay a
five-win improvement in 2009 into a run to a bowl game in 2010.
Locker admitted as much saying he'd be surprised if the
Huskies don't make the postseason for the first time since 2002.
His hopes are bolstered by an offense that returns all of its top
backs and receivers.
"I want to make a decision that I'm not going to regret 30
years from now. I want to make a decision that I'm going to be able
to live with because it's a big decision. If you make the wrong
one, it will really wear on you," Locker said. "I knew that I
hadn't done what I set out to do when I came here. I felt that the
opportunity I had in front of me with the team we had coming back
this next year was a pretty good one. I want to play it out. I want
to see how good we can be."
Scouts have raved about Locker's raw skills since he was a
freshman - his running back speed combined with the bulk of a
linebacker and an arm capable of making all the throws the NFL
requires.
But 2009 was the first time Locker showed the polish needed
to be successful on Sundays.
Playing in Sarkisian's prostyle offense, Locker threw for
2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, completing 58 percent of his throws.
It was the third-highest passing total in Washington history and
the TD throws were fourth-best at a school with a tradition of
producing NFL quarterbacks.
He also added nearly 400 yards rushing and seven TDs on the
ground, while tempering his natural tendency to run when the
situation presented itself in favor of trying to be more of a
passer.
"This is not to sound boastful or arrogant in any way, but I
think we're the best coaches for him at this stage of his career,"
Sarkisian said. "I firmly believe in our coaching. I firmly believe
in the system that we run. I firmly believe in that maturation
process from year one to year two and the coaching staff in a
system that is quarterback friendly. I felt this was the best thing
for him.
"On top of that, I felt like he was the best thing for us."
Locker said that when he walked off the field after
Washington routed California 42-10 in its season finale on Dec. 5
he still wasn't sure what his decision would be. Most thought he'd
wait until the NFL Collegiate Advisory Committee gave its
evaluation before he made a final decision.
Locker said Friday he's still not sure if that evaluation has
arrived. It doesn't matter now.
"I was just happy to make a decision and feel good about the
decision I made," Locker said. "I haven't regretted the decision.
Since I made it, I haven't second-guessed myself; I've felt really
good with it. So, yeah, it's great to have it over with."
