The Details: Kirkland Savors 'Unbelievable' Season
December 23, 2015 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Andrew Kirkland will never forget the “unbelievable” feeling sparked by the news he would be making the first start of his college career.
“I think that was the most excited I've ever been for anything in my life,” the 6-foot-4, 307-pound offensive tackle said after a recent bowl practice.
That experience, the byproduct of more than two seasons spent working in the weight room and on the scout team, began earlier in the year. The Huskies were getting ready to play USC.
As the program began its preparations, Kirkland found himself in an unfamiliar role. He was asked to work with the first-string offensive line.
His first reaction: “All right, let's do this.”
As the week progressed, the sophomore was still working as the Huskies' starting right tackle. Then offensive line coach Chris Strausser shared the news Kirkland had waited years to hear.
“You're starting this week,” the coach said.
All of a sudden, Kirkland found himself thrust in the middle of a dream scenario. The Huskies were heading on the road to play the Trojans in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and he earned the opportunity to be on the field for the Huskies' first offensive snap.
“I kept grinding and grinding and finally got my opportunity against USC,” he said. “That was unbelievable. That got my confidence up, made me want to keep going out and competing to play in more games.”
Kirkland helped Washington gain 135 yards on the ground during a 17-12 win.
“It was amazing,” he said. “All the energy, the fire and passion from the team because we were so excited to go play – it was unbelievable.”
As the Huskies prepare to play Southern Miss in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Saturday, Kirkland has become a key contributor for Washington's offense. He has started five games at right tackle and one – the Apple Cup victory against Washington State – at left tackle.
“It's been hard, but a lot of fun at the same time,” he said.
After a standout career at Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore, Kirkland signed with Washington. He spent his first year in the program working with the scout team. He began the process of putting himself in a position to find the field.
Working against teammates like Danny Shelton and Hau'oli Kikaha, defensive standouts who now make a living in the NFL, Kirkland took advantage of the opportunity to understand how defensive players attack offensive linemen.
“They knew what the offensive line was supposed to be doing and would give me pointers,” he said. “They would tell me stuff they do, things they're looking for, so I could try and counteract that. It helped a lot.
“It was insane. I really had to step my game up. That really helped a lot, playing against those guys and our guys now. There are some unbelievable athletes who really helped me become the player I am now.”
Kirkland's first game action came during his redshirt freshman season, playing in wins against Oregon State and Washington State. Each opportunity helped put him in a position to find success.
He wants this “unbelievable” ride to last as long as possible.
“I've just got to keep grinding in the film room, working on my technique, working in the weight room and just getting stronger and more flexible, faster,” he said.
With a young roster, Kirkland is looking forward to growing alongside his teammates.
“Everybody is working hard,” he said. “There's a lot of potential and talent in that room. The group cohesion is really good, unbelievable. Coach Strauss has really got us together as a rock, working together pushing each other every day. The future is bright.”
