UW Huskies add to backfield, get commitment from Virginia transfer Wayne Taulapapa
The Washington Huskies have added more depth to their backfield.
Former Virginia running back Wayne Taulapapa announced on social media Monday afternoon that he is headed to Seattle with one season of eligibility remaining.
Taulapapa, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound fifth-year senior, led the Cavaliers in rushing last season, and was among the ACC program’s most productive players in the backfield each of the past three.
He finished with 62 carries for 324 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games last fall, while adding another 62 yards and a score on 11 catches.
During his four seasons at Virginia, he collected 1,192 yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also added 150 yards and a score on 28 catches.
Taulapapa’s addition gives the Huskies some welcome experience in a running backs room that graduated sixth-year running backs Sean McGrew — who led the program in rushing last fall — and Kamari Pleasant, and is currently without its top two returners in Cameron Davis and Richard Newton for spring practices.
Newton led the program in rushing through three games last season (38 carries, 138 yards, TD), but missed the final six of the season with a knee injury.
Davis appeared in all 12 games last fall, finishing with 85 carries, 308 yards and two scores, and another 115 receiving yards on 14 catches.
Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said last week both are expected to be back this fall, but will not practice this spring.
UW’s only other returning running back with playing experience is Jay’Veon Sunday, who appeared in four games last fall.
Taulapapa is the second running back to join the Huskies through the transfer portal this offseason, joining former New Mexico rushing leader Aaron Dumas, who tallied 136 carries for 658 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season.
Taulapapa entered the transfer portal in December. He was considered a three-star recruit out of Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii) High School in the 2016 class, and chose Virginia over offers from BYU, Colorado, Navy and UNLV.
This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 3:56 PM with the headline "UW Huskies add to backfield, get commitment from Virginia transfer Wayne Taulapapa."
