Media members soon won't get to watch University of Washington football practices once Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff begins to install offensive sets to be used against Boise State in the season opener.
Yet that's OK, because everyone likely witnessed the play of fall camp, something no one will top, unbridled excellence.
With the ball placed on the 29, near the end of the UW's second fall workout, in brilliant sunshine, redshirt freshman wide receiver Denzel Boston, all 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds of him, came off the line like something fired out of a hand-held rocket launcher.
"I just feel he's faster than I envisioned him probably before he got here," Husky coach Kalen DeBoer said.
Sprinting down the hashmark toward Lake Washington, Boston quickly reached top speed, but he still couldn't put much distance between himself and cornerback Jaivion Green.
With the defensive back all over him, Boston reached up and snagged a perfectly thrown pass from Michael Penix Jr. that zipped over Green's outstretched hand by mere inches.
So tall and so fast, Boston never broke stride as he tucked the ball under his arm and streaked into the east end zone to complete an electrifying 71-yard touchdown catch.
"It was just amazing because it was from Mike," Boston said. "When he throws that ball out there, it's like I've got to go get that. It felt like an NFL play."
No public footage exists of the sensational catch and throw. Stadium visitors, media or not, aren't permitted to take video or photos of UW scrimmage plays, for fear something might fall into the hands of opposing teams.
You'll just have take our word for it. The play was unforgettable.
"Boston's having a heck of a camp — he just beat him," Husky cornerback coach Juice Brown said. "He's making plays."
After a week of camp, Boston is one of the more noticeable UW players bidding for more playing time. He's someone who hopes to supplement the talents of returning starters and NFL prospects Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja'Lynn Polk this season before earning a more prominent role in 2024.
Fifteen pounds heavier and far more confident, Boston is on a sudden trajectory up the depth chart, not only backing up the aforementioned veterans, but trying to keep himself ahead of several other talented pass-catchers on the depth chart.
Husky receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard remembers Boston as someone who didn't fully understand the nuances of the game when he joined the program. The player tried to resemble the finesse receivers he was teaming with before his coach told him to take advantage of his size and physicality, to be himself.
"He's a big dude who can run," Shepard said. "We hope to be able to utilize those skills."
Boston's 71-yard scoring catch in fall camp, according to everyone who saw it, was just a preview.
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