Eight true freshmen saw action in UW's opening game at Oregon (Devin Aguilar, Jermaine Kearse, Senio Kelemete, Kavario Middleton, Chris Polk, Jordan Polk, Alameda Ta'amu and Everrett Thompson), and another -- newly converted safety Johri Fogerson --seems likely to play this Saturday or soon thereafter.

That compares to seven true freshmen who played in all of 2007 and two in 2006.

Some have seen those numbers and wondered if coach Tyrone Willingham isn't rushing players in now, with less regard to the future, because of his job status. So, I asked him (and he accepted the question like a pro) if he's confident he would have played those guys even if he had 10 years remaining on his contract.

"Oh, yes, absolutely," he said. "Based on their abilities of what they’re doing right now, compared to what we have on our football team, yes. I mean, I don’t look at them as freshmen. I look at them as good players and who plays the best. I don’t think there’s anybody who can deny that Kavario Middleton added something to our football team. There is no question about that. And you look at some of these other guys: Jermaine Kearse added something to our football team. That’s what I look at. It’s not that they are freshmen, or playing guys now and not worrying about the future. No, that’s not true. You put your best players on the field, and I think our football team trusts us to do that – trusts me to do that."

I raised the 10-year contract thing because in Willingham's very first season at UW, I had asked him if he would build the program any differently if he had been given a 10-year contract instead of a five-year contract. He made some light remark about how good a 10-year contract sounds. But then surprised me by allowing that he might do some things differently with the assurance of that much time.

I reminded him of that this week before asking about the true freshmen, and he amended his original answer a bit:

"You build a program to win right now," he said. "And to do that doesn’t mean you have to do things that compromise the foundation points that will establish longevity. Because to me, if you do it right, then you establish yourself to be able to win for a long time. If a house is built quick, you maybe have some very productive things for the time being, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee you that you’ll have longevity."

True freshman tailback Johri Fogerson is now true freshman safety Johri Fogerson.

The former two-way star at O'Dea, who grew up on the Tacoma Hilltop, said coach Tyrone Willingham told him Tuesday morning that he was more needed on defense. By Tuesday afternoon, that's where he was practicing.

And come Saturday, that may be where he's playing. Despite going through all of fall camp as a tailback, Fogerson said he believes he could see the field for the first time Saturday when the 0-1 Huskies have their home opener against BYU.

"I’m struggling right now a little bit learning the plays," he said. "But it’s coming fast, and hopefully this Saturday I do a great job."

Meanwhile, Tripper Johnson, a surprise starter for the Huskies at Oregon, says it looks like he will have three years of eligibility at UW.

As explained in this earlier News Tribune story by Ryan Divish, Johnson's class status wasn't certain after he spent eight seasons in minor league baseball. As of today, Johnson said it is his understanding that he has the eligibility status of a sophomore. And he said that as of now, he plans to use all of that remaining eligibility.

"I would love to compete as much as I can," he said. "The plan is that I’ll graduate in the spring of 2010 and then I would come back in the fall of 2010. We’ll see where I am at that point in my life, but I would love to play a third year. It’s also one of those things, at my age, we’ll see where I am in my life and see where it goes."

Johnson started as the Huskies fifth defensive back against Oregon, and also was on the kickoff return team.

A few other notes: Willingham said the team was "a little bit hurt, a little bit beat" as they returned to practice Tuesday. ... He also said tight end Michael Gottlieb returned to practice and seems likely for the BYU game. QB Jake Locker "moved around well" but appeared "not all the way back" from his hamstring injury. ... The Huskies have another practice at 4 this afternoon. ... Finally, the univeristy has selected StubHub as the athletic department's secondary ticketing partner for the institution's athletic program. Details available at gohuskies.com.