Daniels Has Inside Job Covered for Washington

Those who adapt, survive.

Charles Darwin never saw a college football game, but the cornerstone of his evolutionary theories translates well to the gridiron.

Rick Neuheisel brought a new coaching staff and a new system to Washington when he became head coach this year. Tim Hundley followed Neuheisel from Colorado, chucked the Huskies’ traditional eight-man front and implemented a seven-man front to better prepare for pass-heavy Pacific-10 Conference opponents.

The change posed an immediate challenge to Derrell Daniels, an outside linebacker from Sylmar and San Fernando highs, whose position became obsolete.

Rather than go the way of the dinosaur, Daniels willingly switched to inside linebacker. Now it’s the Huskies’ defense that would have difficulty surviving without him.

Daniels, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior, led Washington with 10 tackles in a 47-21 victory over Oregon State. He had a sack and two tackles for losses.

“Derrell made the switch fairly comfortably,” Hundley said. “He has good vision, which is important at [inside linebacker] because there are people coming at you from all sides. Derrell is able to find the ball and dig it out. He’s a real plus for us.”

Daniels has 25 tackles--fifth on the team--including five for losses, and his improvement has been instrumental in Washington winning three consecutive games after opening with two losses.

As a reserve outside linebacker the previous two seasons, he had a total of 27 tackles.

“He’s a smart guy,” Hundley said. “He remembers things well. Coaches try to get a guy to a certain point. From there it is up to the player.”

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There’s also something to be said for continuity. That’s where Jermaine Smith fits into Washington’s defensive scheme.

Smith, a senior cornerback from Royal High, is a four-year starter and a candidate for all-conference honors.

“When I came on there were several question marks regarding personnel,” Neuheisel said. “As long as he was healthy, Jermaine Smith at corner was one spot I didn’t have to worry about.”

Smith (5-11, 195) missed five games last season because of a knee injury, but he has returned strong, making 26 tackles and intercepting one pass this year.

“He is our most consistent player on defense,” Hundley said. “He has moxie. He’s a smart kid.”

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The receiving end: Jake Farrell (Newbury Park) caught his first college touchdown pass in the first quarter of New Mexico’s 24-21 victory over San Diego State. Farrell, who has two catches for 37 yards, is a redshirt freshman who was recruited by Lobo offensive coordinator Jim Fenwick after a Valley all-star game. Fenwick had recently resigned as head coach at Cal State Northridge. . . .

Wide receiver Joey Cuppari (Westlake) has six catches for 59 yards and tight end Jose Ochoa (Sylmar) has five catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns for Colorado State. Cuppari is a redshirt freshman and Ochoa is a sophomore. . . .

Tight end Jim Ange (Thousand Oaks, Moorpark College) has 10 receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown for San Diego State. . . .

Malosi Leonard (Palmdale) has six catches for 110 yards for Arizona.