In particular, Potoa’e has appreciated one of Petersen’s messages that is a central aspect of Washington football’s “Built for Life” program.
“(Petersen) is all about us growing as men more than football players,” Potoa’e said. “He’s all about us growing through hardships, and he’s all about seeing how we react in times of struggles, whether it’s with each other as a team and or with us as individuals.”
Potoa’e is slated to be a fulltime starter at outside linebacker this season, and he has the size and strength to be strong against the run, the speed to help control the perimeter, and the quickness and athleticism to put occasional pressure on the quarterback.
“(Potoa’e) is passionate, he’s physical and he has a big-time motor,” Kwiatkowski said. “He made a lot of strides last year. And with the way he’s been practicing and the way he’s been going about his business, I think he’s going to make a lot more plays for us (this season).”
Potoa’e is part of a defense that has the potential, he predicts, “to be really good” this season.
With depth, experience and oodles of talent, the Huskies are hoping the 2018 squad will end up comparing favorably with some of the top defenses in program history, particularly the 1984 and 1991 teams.
Washington was very good defensively the last two seasons, but Potoa’e says this year’s defense “definitely” wants to set the bar higher.
As a unit, he explained, “we work hand in hand. The secondary is going to give us time to bring pressure, and the more pressure we bring the faster the quarterback has to get rid of the ball.”