Jake Browning Goes ‘Back To Dirt Level’

By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com

When you look at Jake Browning’s high school career, the numbers are staggering. The quarterback set California state records for career completions, attempts, yards and touchdown passes. He set single-season records for completions, attempts, yards and touchdown passes, in addition to hitting the mark for touchdown passes in a game.

Then there are the national records ­– career touchdown passes (229), single-season touchdown passes (91) and single-season completions (440).

But, as far as Washington’s early enrollee is concerned, that chapter of his life is now behind him. For the freshman quarterback, who just finished his first winter workout with the Huskies, “Now I’m back to dirt level.”

“My high school career was really good, but I’m kind of ready to move on from it,” he said. “Obviously, a lot of great memories with long-time friends, but I’m on to the next challenge.”

Browning no longer thinks of himself as a highly touted recruit. The four-star prospect believes he needs to start from the bottom in order to work back toward the top.

“Now it’s back to the bottom of the totem pole,” he said. “Now I’ve got to work my way back up. That’s exciting, a new challenge.”

As humble as he is focused, the 6-foot-2 quarterback is now striking a balance between school and film study.

“It’s been going pretty well, meeting people and trying to learn the offense, while getting used to workouts,” Browning said. “There’s a lot of help around to make the transition easier.”

With Washington’s coaches out recruiting this week, Browning has been spending his free time in the film room. He spends one to two hours a day working to get a better grasp of the Huskies’ offense so he is ready for spring practices.

“I’m trying to match the name of the concept with the concept, the names of the protections and all that,” he said. “Then I’ll go through the reads and kind of think, ‘What would I have done?’”

Making the quick transition from high school to college has forced Browning to “adjust on the fly.” But the transition has been smooth so far. The toughest part so far?  The workouts.

“Those are pretty hard,” he said with a smile.