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How Ryan Grubb Has Gone About Resurrecting Dylan Morris

Originally posted on FanNation Husky Maven | By Dan Raley | Last updated 3/17/23

Ryan Grubb knows all about the backlash, the outrage, the lingering scorn.

The University of Washington offensive coordinator is well aware there are those of you who don't like his back-up quarterback Dylan Morris because of what happened in 2021 — and never will.

He's privy to the fact you hold Morris more responsible for the 4-8 downturn than anyone else. Can't forgive him for his game-deciding pick-six against Arizona State. Won't forget his goal-line fumble at Colorado that went the other way for an 88-yard score.

"Yeah, we've definitely had conversations about that," Grubb said.

Morris has paid a heavy price. He lost his job to Sam Huard at the end of that season. He lost the job to Michael Penix Jr. last season. He'll remain the back-up until Penix leaves or if unable to go prior to that.

Grubb, the Huskies' suddenly very highly regarded and well-compensated offensive leader, has taken it upon himself to resurrect this former two-year starting quarterback from performance issues, if not public humiliation.

Only he hasn't had to do that much full-blown quarterback surgery regarding the latter because Morris has learned on his own how to stand upright in the proverbial pocket against his detractors.

"I don't know if there's many guys I admire more than Dylan Morris," Grubb said. "I think there's grown men that would be able to take about one percent of the criticism that Dylan 's taken and operate at the level that Dylan operates at."

One reason is Morris fully understands he and his Husky teammates, as well as those departed coaches, didn't do their job two years ago and they were going to hear about it.

"He comes in every day and he knows the expectation this community has for this program and there's nobody more disappointed in a 4-8 season than Dylan," Grubb said.

Which brings everyone to the then and now. Three spring football practices into it before pausing for spring break, Morris is one of those UW players who looks vastly improved in what he does. He's extra decisive in his actions. His arm strength is up a notch. He doesn't hear you telling him how bad he is.

"I think there's things that Dylan, just like any quarterback, has gotten a lot better at and grown, and I think his ability to set those things aside and just work on his game and keeping focus on on himself, and control what he can control, is unbelievably mature," Grubb said. "I would like to see how many people can do that and be able to process that and still stand tall like Dylan does and work your tail off."

To be sure, an improved Morris still isn't better than Michael Penix Jr., not by a long shot, but he appears to be a decided step up from 2021 Dylan Morris, and that's significant.

If or when Morris takes over as the No. 1 Husky quarterback again, whether he's needed this coming season or not until 2024, Grubb needs to make sure the 6-foot, 202-pound junior is ready to play. Of course, the whole program depends on it.

"I do think he's gotten better," Grubb said. "I think he's admitted to himself the things that he needed to get better at. He's owned the mistakes he's made from that season and, more importantly, from today's practice."

Morris and his offensive coordinator continue to talk things out. It's almost ridiculous they have to spend any time discussing a part of their own Husky fan base that stubbornly won't give an inch and forgive or forget, that slamming this quarterback has become sport for them.

Yet it's fully understood that the pressures and demands surrounding what Morris does are immense and he's eluding it like a pass rush.

"I know as a quarterback just having thick skin and being able to do those things is critical," Grubb said. "I think he's really taken that to heart. I admire that kid a ton. I don't know that I'd have the mental fortitude to blast through the things he's done and still be a positive dude."

Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories — as soon as they’re published.

This article first appeared on FanNation Husky Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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