Crash course for freshmen

SEATTLE – It was a nightmare start for Darrion Jones.

Playing on the kick return team as a blocker, the freshman linebacker for the University of Washington twice fumbled short kickoffs in the Huskies’ season-opener against Air Force at Qwest Field.

For a guy who had been a high school star, it was quite a blow to his ego, and it took awhile to get over it.

“I was nervous,” said Jones, who had never played in that position. “I never thought I’d start the first game of my freshman year, playing in front of a big crowd like that. I was excited but at the same time asking myself if I was ready for this. … After the game, I completely just trashed myself. I felt bad.”

For Jones and fellow freshman linebacker Chris Stevens, the only true freshmen who have played for Washington this season, being thrown right into the middle of the Pacific-10 Conference has been a big adjustment. But it has helped that they’ve had each other, as well as an experienced group of players in front of them, to lean on.

“We just try to give each other tips on how we stay calm, how we focus,” Jones said.

Neither player has seen a lot of time on the field, playing mostly on special teams, but both say they are glad to be playing right away rather than redshirting.

“It was my goal,” Stevens said. “I wanted to get on the field as soon as possible.”

Both were stars for their California high schools, but even with their talent, coming to Washington has been an adjustment.

“Everybody that came here was the man on their team,” Jones said. “It’s all about role playing. Everyone has a role to play.”

That’s the kind of attitude that allows the players to avoid getting too much harassment from their older teammates. But they both smile when asked how freshmen are treated on the team.

“It’s the usual,” Jones said. “They give you a hard time at the beginning, but it’s all fun and games. I’m used to it now. I get respect now because I play.”