Washington cornerback Darren Gardenhire has left the Huskies with one regular season game to be played. The decision, confirmed by Washington head coach Chris Petersen to be entirely Gardenhire’s, was announced on Gardenhire’s Twitter and Instagram account Monday. Petersen confirmed Gardenhire has already left the program and will not play another game with the Huskies.
I would just Like to say that I appreciate everyone At the University of Washington and thank… https://t.co/ilXYIM8yur
— gmannn__ (@GbabyBOOM) November 21, 2016
“I would just Like to say that I appreciate everyone At the University of Washington and thank them for everything they’ve helped me accomplish while I spent my time here,” Gardenhire said in his released statement. “After talking with my family and really taking time to make this decision, I will no longer be continuing my career here at the University of Washington.” Gardenhire went on to confirm he will attend a new university in pursuit of his goals and wished his Washington teammates the bets of luck as they look to clinch the Pac-12 South, win the Pac-12 championship and perhaps make the College Football Playoff.
Gardenhire, a junior, had been backing up Kevin King on Washington’s depth chart. Gardenhire will have to sit out a full season of college football if he transfers to another FBS program. He has not used a redshirt year at Washington, so he will have a year of eligibility left to use at another FBS program. He would be eligible to play right away in 2017 should he end up at a lower-division program.