Husky Football Notebook -- Stevens Happy Just To Get Into Camp

For obvious reasons, Jerramy Stevens is happy to get out of the house. He's happy to be in Husky camp. And happy not to be in jail.

"It's been hard to keep a positive outlook, but that's all that I really had," said the freshman quarterback from River Ridge High School in Lacey. "I just had to keep faith and hope for the best."

Last week, a Thurston County Superior Court judge suspended Stevens' house arrest, allowing him to attend camp. He was charged with two counts of assault stemming from a June 2 fight. He had been restricted to his home in Olympia under electronic surveillance as he awaited a Sept. 8 trial.

"That's why I'm smiling," Stevens said. "I'm just happy to be here because this was a dream and it almost didn't happen."

Washington's support hasn't wavered.

"Right now, it's a matter of us being glad we got him here," Coach Jim Lambright said. "And you feel good when you've got 3.5 grade-point student (who scored) over a 1,000 SAT. He made a mistake that is in the process of trial and you just have to let that take its own course."

On the field, Lambright is pleased with Stevens, who stands 6 feet 7.

"He's real raw as a quarterback, but what great height to have," Lambright said. "He has no problem seeing over lineman, being the tallest athlete you have out there practicing."

Four no-shows

Four players expected to make an immediate impact were missing, the most notable being Anthony Kelley from Altadena, Calif., whose UW admission was denied by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Husky coaches are waiting for a waiver that would allow the 6-2, 215-pound linebacker to practice.

If defensive end Roger Faagata completes course work at Long Beach Community College and free safety Renard Edwards does the same at Seattle Community College, they will report.

"Until all of the testing is done, you really don't know," Lambright said.

Receiver Antonio Cooks of San Francisco did not achieve a qualifying score on the SAT and is expected to attend a junior college.

Notes

-- Receiver Wilbur Hooks Jr. of Anchorage, Alaska sprinted across the field at Husky Stadium and showed no sign that a few months ago, he had a torn Achilles tendon.

He was injured Jan. 28 during a prep basketball game and doctors said he'd be lucky to return in time for Husky practice.

"I'm not going to put a percentage on where I'm at, but I feel a lot better than I did Jan. 28," Hooks said. "I've been able to do my cuts and run my routes pretty well . . ."

Hooks clocked 4.6 seconds in 40 yards.

"He really surprised us because we didn't know if he'd be ready," Lambright said. "Anybody who comes off an Achilles problem like that is a huge question mark because usually you're looking at a six-month recovery period."

-- Running back Jelani Harrison and linebacker Jafar Williams both ran the 40 in 4.55 seconds, the fastest time among the recruits. Receiver Ja'Warren Hooker set the team record of 4.29 last year.

-- Construction crews began erecting a video scoreboard in the southeast end zone. The project will be completed before the Sept. 19 home opener against Brigham Young.