Observations from the Huskies' First Spring Practice

On Tuesday, the first University of Washington. spring football practice came with a listed start time of 3:30 p.m. in Dempsey Indoor, but 18 players already were stretching nearly an hour earlier.

Think these guys weren't a little eager to get going?

In waves, nearly 100 players showed up for a padless practice that lasted two and a half hours and was notable for how much bigger and fit Jedd Fisch's Huskies appeared in a year's time.

An initial observation: Arizona transfer Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, at a well-defined 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, was the most physically impressive player out there. He wore No. 11, Alphonzo Tuputala's old number, only 50 pounds heavier than the graduated linebacker.

The defensive lineman, whose position is intentionally kept vague because of his versatility, demonstrated Bralen Trice-like quickness with his spin moves and exceptionally strong hands in shedding those who got in his way in drills.

Uiagalelei likely will line up wherever he wants on the defensive line, whether it be as an edge rusher or inside coming out of a stance.

"Both," Fisch said when asked if the newcomer is an inside or outside defender. "Obviously, we're really excited he came here. We recruited him early on and had him for [three] years at Arizona. He's in a great spot now."

Another takeaway: Sophomore Zach Henning will receive the first opportunity to claim maybe the only real vacant job on the No. 1 offensive line -- right guard.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, he looked much more buff after apparently going for a winter weight room makeover.

With touted 6-foot-5, 330-pound freshman Champ Taulealea and equally highly regarded 6-foot-6, 320-pound freshman John Mills opening spring drills as the No. 2 offensive guards, Henning no doubt realized he had to do something to stay out in front.

"He's a guy that loves it, a guy who wants to become a starter, a guy that's tough, competitive," Fisch said of Henning. "I think he was young last year and he's grown into his body a little bit."

Yet another takeover: New linebackers coach Brian Odom, previously at North Texas, USC and Oklahoma, is a yeller who often will be heard over everyone else no matter how noisy practice gets.

He begin the scheduled part of practice with the entire defense gathered around him while he went off on what seemed like a five-minute tangent.

Welcome to Husky football, bigger, possibly much better and definitely louder.