Exit interview: Jack Westover on evolving goals, playing hurt and a 6-year college career
'I just saw the value in what could happen if we changed it around and stuck it out, and what a story that would be.'
Though Washington sent a school-record 13 players to last week’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis, two became spectators during the workout portion.
Edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui had surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder, and arrived for media interviews with his arm in a sling. Tight end Jack Westover also arrived bandaged, his left hand wrapped after recent surgery to repair a thumb injury he played through for much of the season.
Westover said he was blocking during UW’s fourth game, against California, “when my thumb snapped on me a little bit.” He later learned he had ruptured a ligament and chipped pieces of bone. Westover played the rest of the year with “a big ol’ plastic mold thing over my whole thumb,” finishing his senior season with 46 catches for 433 yards and four touchdowns, including a handful of highlight-reel grabs that belied any injury to his hand.
He hoped that some time away from football might heal the thumb, but found during pre-draft training that he still had to manipulate the ball to secure catches, and also had trouble lifting weights. An MRI revealed the extent of the damage, and surgery preceded his trip to the Combine.
The former walk-on hopes to participate, to some extent, when UW hosts its March 28 Pro Day.
I caught up with Westover on Wednesday afternoon to reflect on his college career, the 2023 season, Chris Petersen’s influence, the national championship game and his pro ambitions. Questions and responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.