Former Wolverine free to transfer elsewhere
The University of Washington announced Tuesday that the UW athletic department has granted junior linebacker E.J. Savannah’s request to contact other schools regarding a transfer.
Huskies head football coach Tyrone Willingham made the announcement that ended Savannah’s tenure at the school. Last year’s leading tackler, Savannah had not be a part of the team this season due to what Willingham said were academic and other issues.
A 2005 graduate of Bellevue High School, Savannah now has permission to transfer to another school, provided that institution is outside of the Pac-10 Conference. He will be required to sit out the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules and will have one year of eligibility remaining.
“Our top priority is to help E.J. earn a college degree, whether that is at the University of Washington or at another institution,” Willingham said through a press release. “We have provided him with a tremendous support system during the last three years. I hope he is able to learn from his experience at Washington and become successful in whatever he chooses to do in life.”
Savannah is not the only former Wolverine to look elsewhere to play this season. Teammate J.R. Hasty, who was part of the UW’s 2005 recruiting class with Savannah, transfered to Central Washington after being dismissed from the team during the summer.
Hasty has been the Wildcats starting running back for the past two games, rushing for 111 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime in CWU’s season-opening victory over Dixie State.
NOTES: Bellevue’s Tripper Johnson will start today against No.4 Oklahoma at safety…Johnson was a former star at Newport High School before signing to play professional baseball with the Baltimore Orioles…Johnson, 26, played eight years in the minor leagues before walking on to the UW football team, where he has made six tackles and recovered a fumble…Other Bellevue players on the UW roster include long-snapper Brendan Lopez and defensive back Mick Conners, both former Wolverines who have yet to see action for the Huskies this season.
Joel Willits can be reached at 425-453-5045 or at jwillits@reporternewspapers.com.
