Returning star players give UW football team and its fans some much-needed good news

SEATTLE – The news came, as it tends to these days, in a tweetstorm.

One by one Monday, appropriately spread out like a well-designed formation, three prominent Washington football players used the social-media platform to announce their intention to return for the 2021 season.

Suddenly, the gloom that had settled over the Husky program since the decision two weeks ago to shut down for the season began to lift just a little.

“Got some unfinished business with my brothers. Looking forward to getting back to work with my Dawgs. I’m coming back for another year Husky Nation!!” tweeted offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland, starting it off.

Later in the day, tight end Cade Otton began his tweet with a tease for those wondering if he was going to head to the NFL: “I’m declaring … That the Dawgs are coming for it ALL in 2021, and I can’t wait to be apart of it.” (Otton later sheepishly tweeted out a correction, pointing out that he meant to say “a part” not “apart” – which had an entirely different meaning if you took it literally. “Good thing I’m going back to school,” he said, punctuated with some laughing emojis.)