Habben helps Huskies
August 21, 2008
By Ryan Piersol
Skyline grad Cory Habben now plays for the Huskies.
That last repetition on the bench press seems to be just a tad easier these days. So does that final lap of sprints.
And game planning for opponents? Well, Cody Habben has no problem focusing on his part.
Thus, the difference between hoping to play and being assured of playing time.
Habben, a part of Skyline High School’s 2005 state championship team, has been penciled in as the projected starter at right tackle for the University of Washington for the upcoming season.
It’s a new role for Habben, who had battled upperclassmen for playing time his first two seasons with the Huskies.
“You take a lot more pride in your work,” he said. “There are a lot of great players on the team and anyone can step up and take your spot. So, realistically, every day you’re competing.”
Habben has moved from the left side of the line to the right this season, filling in the spot left empty by graduated right tackle Chad Macklin. Habben filled in as a part-time starter on the left side last season. His first-ever start was at home against Arizona.
“It was cool. I was only 19 at the time, and I felt on top of the world,” he said. “It was great just coming out onto the field, especially in front of a home crowd.”
Since leaving Skyline three years ago, Habben’s collegiate stock has grown rapidly.
He’s gained 25 pounds, gotten quicker and has learned what it’s like to face some of the top defensive lineman in all of Division I.
The Huskies themselves have a highly touted defensive end in Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, who Habben faces plenty.
“I think I’ve gotten better, but there’s always room to get better. I don’t think I’ve come along near as much as I want to,” he said. “I have matured a lot, because it’s a lot different from high school. The first day of camp, I remember seeing people run right by me. It took a while to adapt to the speed of the game.”
In high school, Habben was named the 2005 KingCo 4A Lineman of the Year. Since joining the Huskies, he’s earned the 2007 Husky Fever 12th Man of the Year Award and was Academic All-Pac-10 honorable mention.
This season, he’ll get a little bit of extra help from a familiar face, as former Skyline head coach Steve Gervais has joined the team as the Huskies’ running backs coach.
“It’s cool having Gerv up here,” Habben said. “I was good friends with him in high school and I stayed in good touch with him the first couple years up here, so I was excited for him when he got the job. It’s a great opportunity for him and I think he’ll excel at it.”
Even walking among the well-known crowds of Division football players, Habben still remains a fan of Skyline.
He said he kept up with the team last year and was on a plane to play at Hawaii when he learned the Spartans had won another state title.
“Since coach (Ty) Willingham’s son is on the team, it’s pretty easy to keep up with them,” he said. “I was really happy to hear they won another one. It couldn’t have happened to a better class.”
Reach Reporter Ryan Piersol at 392-6434, ext. 246, or rpiersol@isspress.com.
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