For all the good things that have happened to the University of Washington football team this season, it's been difficult to watch an injury-riddled and short-handed defensive secondary back on its heels, getting beaten badly.Those scorched-earth Husky defenders often have given up a score almost immediately following one pushed acro s by the UW offense.Young cornerbacks continually have made mistakes and paid for it in live time on Saturdays rather than doing this hidden away on a practice field.It's been costly, with the Arizona State game specifically one the UW should have won but didn't, all because its secondary couldn't stop anyone.In that meeting, the Huskies kept grinding and grinding away to Jabari Parker Jersey stay in itandeven tied the score late at 38-allonly to turn around and give up an instant, game-winning touchdown pa s to the grateful Sun Devils.However, eight games into the season, Nate Archibald Jersey Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff says it is ready to fully embrace a secondary finally back to full strength for Friday night's game against Oregon State at Husky Stadium.It's interesting, too, how the designated savior for fixing this me s is sophomore cornerback Mishael Powell, who not too long ago didn't have a football scholarship and had to convince people he readily deserved one.Powell has gone from a supposedly inconsequential walk-on player who wouldn't go away to someone as important as anyone to the immediate fortunes for this Husky football team."It's a testament to my work ethic to staying disciplined," said Powell said of his changing roles. "I'm working on my craft and always staying consistent."A look at the UW's scholarship coverage guys.77 ImagesAwarding a scholarship to Powell was one of the first team moves made by DeBoer, who through his research and likely a glance at last year's game film told him this player was deserving of serious football responsibility and corresponding financial aid.Powell is pegged to start again for the first time since the Huskies' 39-28 victory over Michigan State, a game in which the 6-foot-1, 204-pound sophomore Seattle was injured. He was a huge Richaun Holmes Jersey lo s.Scroll to Continue"I think he's an elite communicator," UW co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell said. "I think he plays with a lot of confidence. I think he garners respect."In Powell's absence, dovetailing on the top of the lo s of grad transfer Jordan Perryman getting injured, the UW tried junior Julius Irvin and redshirt freshmen Davon Banks and Elijah Jackson as fill-in starters, and used true freshman Jaivion Green as a reserve to the point Sacramento Kings Hoodie he gave up his first-year eligibility.Unlike those younger players, Powell never got on the field in his first or second seasons in the program. It wasn't until 2021 that he played in all 12 games and started three. He understands the enormous pre sure that was placed on his younger teammates."It was good for them in the long run, them having a learning experience," he said. "They did me s up a few things, but I think it's just going to make them even stronger for next year and the upcoming years. They're going to be really good."Powell, notably Hassan Whiteside Jersey aggre sive while his teammates have tiptoed around the field trying not to slip up, brings 16 games of experience with him as he prepares for the stretch run. He broke up three pa ses a year ago, but has no pa sing stats this season. He's still looking for his first Husky interception.While this season was fulfilling for him after receiving a scholarship and a full-time starting job, the veteran corner had to be somewhat downcast over having his playing time taken from him in the third game when he was hobbled. He just keep battling."That was a bit disappointing, but I kind of just flushed it real quick," Powell said, "and tried to do as much as I can to get back on the field." as