The Week 6 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers will be notable for the overwhelming amount of talent that came out of the University of Washington football program that will compete in the game. No less than eight players and coaches between both teams were members of the Huskie’s program over the years, including Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks.
Both teams have four players who call the University of Washington their alma mater. For the Rams, offensive lineman Coleman Shelton, defensive tackle Greg Gaines, defensive back Taylor Rapp, and receivers coach Eric Yarber all played or coached for the program between 2005 and 2018. On the Panthers’ side, linebackers Shaq Thompson and Cory Littleton headline their crew of former Huskies, with defensive back Keith Taylor and the aforementioned Wilks also tracing their football history back to the Seattle-based school.
With so many members of each team coming from the same pool of talent, it is no wonder that the University of Washington is considered a top-tier program for developing talent that excels at the professional level. it is worth noting that Yarber and Wilks were part of the same 2005 coaching staff that led the Huskies to a paltry 2-9 record.
This game has the potential to be a key point in both teams’ seasons, as Los Angeles is in desperate need of a win against a beatable opponent, and Carolina is seeking to prove that they can find success in Wilks’ first game as their interim head coach. It is expected to be a chippy matchup, with both teams trying their hardest to get a coveted win after terribly disappointing starts to their 2022 campaigns.
On nearly every down, the game will hinge on the contributions of one of these former Huskies who will take the field or coach their team from the sidelines.
