Barton ran indirect route to Washington

The story of Taylor Barton's path to starting at quarterback for the University of Washington includes four football programs, three star quarterbacks, three VCRs, two Rick Neuheisels, a huddle of attorneys and a separated shoulder.

No, there was no partridge in a pear tree. Yes, it was a convoluted journey.


	It took a three-page letter to the UW president and a ruling from the NCAA to get Taylor Barton in a Huskies uniform. Grant M. Haller / Seattle Post-Intelligencer Click for larger photo

It started when Carson Palmer committed to USC and Cory Paus committed to UCLA in 1997. With Barton, they were three of the nation's top high school quarterbacks, all of whom Neuheisel, then Colorado's head coach, was recruiting.

With Paus and Palmer spoken for, Neuheisel called Barton about a visit. A meeting was set, and they sat down and watched film of Barton leading Beaverton (Ore.) High School in the state championship game.

"He knew every play, and what had happened, before it came up on the screen," Neuheisel said.

Neuheisel saw a student of the game, one who was obsessive about watching film and breaking down defenses. Barton saw a coach he liked and wanted to play for. He signed with the Buffaloes.

A year later, Barton visited Neuheisel's office to tell him that the recruit he had hosted over the weekend had committed to Colorado. Neuheisel told Barton he was leaving to become Washington's head coach.

Barton thought Neuheisel was talking about the Redskins.

"I said 'The Huskies!'" Barton recalled. "All of a sudden I'm thinking of the day I turned down Washington to go to Colorado, and now he's going to Washington. There were so many things running through my mind. But he did what he needed to do."

This is when Barton's tale becomes convoluted. There were telephone calls between Barton and Neuheisel that fell afoul of NCAA rules. Folks at Colorado claim Neuheisel tried to get Barton to follow him to Seattle, something that both deny.

The NCAA threw a flag on Neuheisel. The incident was settled when one of the sanctions against the Huskies barred any Colorado player from transferring to the UW.

"Taylor Barton did nothing wrong," Neuheisel said. "If anybody did, it was me, though I'm a little shocked that saying goodbye to your players via the telephone is such a terrible thing."

Gary Barnett bolted Northwestern and took over at Colorado. Barton introduced himself to his new coach, and Barnett mistook the 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback for defensive end Tyler Brayton.

"It seemed like things never clicked," Barton said.

Buried on the depth chart and unhappy with Barnett's regimented ways, Barton transferred to City College of San Francisco, where he would put up huge numbers and lead the Rams to their second consecutive JC national title.

He also decided he wanted to finish his career at Washington, despite the 1999 ruling. Attorneys were contacted. Barton penned a lengthy letter to UW president Richard McCormick, pleading his case.

"I poured my heart out on three pages of paper," Barton said.

The NCAA relented. Barton could sign with the Huskies at the cost of two scholarships, one for Barton and one as an additional sanction.

Then Barton committed to Arkansas. Sort of.

"I think that kind of took (Neuheisel) aback," Barton said. "He probably was wondering why I was going through all this if I wasn't going to come here. ... I had to weigh all my options."

Arkansas practically guaranteed Barton he would start at quarterback. Barton signed with Washington.

He arrived with vociferous fanfare, and was touted to inherit the spot vacated by Marques Tuiasosopo. Then Barton lost his battle with sophomore Cody Pickett, when Pickett exceeded everyone's expectations with a brilliant spring practice.

Pickett won his first three starts and looked solid, if unspectacular. With just two years of eligibility remaining, Barton looked like he would be a career backup.

Then Pickett separated his right shoulder Saturday against USC. Barton came off the bench and led the Huskies to another comeback victory, beating Palmer and the Trojans, 27-24.

Neuheisel said Pickett is "questionable to doubtful" for Saturday's game at No. 7 UCLA. Barton, therefore, figures to start his first game in Division I-A football against Paus, completing an odd quarterback triangle established four years before.

Make that a rectangle. Barton's backup against the Bruins is true freshman Casey Paus, Cory's younger brother.

Those three VCRs? Barton burned through those this summer and fall watching game films, which he estimates he does two to three hours a day, whether it be old high school highlights or his performance against USC.

Barton, who wants to become a coach, lives to dissect film. Pickett calls him "player-coach." Barton frequently visits offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson to discuss the nuances of strategy -- just for fun.

"He's a real student of the game," Gilbertson said.

Barton is thrilled with his opportunity to play, but he claims he's not trying to prove he should be the starter, even if he leads the Huskies, a 10-point underdog, to a victory over the Bruins.

"I don't think there's ever going to be a quarterback controversy here," Barton said. "Cody Pickett is the starter of this team."

Said Neuheisel, "Cody Pickett is our first-string quarterback. If Cody is ready and able, then he'll go back in there, and Taylor won't blink an eye."

Barton's arm isn't as strong as Pickett's, nor is he as fast. His confidence comes from understanding the offense and, as Neuheisel said, "thinking in three dimensions."

Pickett is quiet and dry with the media. Barton is outgoing and articulate. Barton is vocal with his teammates, praising and chiding as he sees fit. They don't expect Barton to be overwhelmed by his first career start.

"He's not the kind of kid who gets spooked," center Kyle Benn said. "We have nothing but confidence in him."

It's been a heck of a ride, from Beaverton to Boulder to San Francisco to Seattle to the bench and, finally, to Los Angeles, where destiny awaits in the Rose Bowl.

"Every bump in the road has made me a more mature person and more mature quarterback," Barton said.

QUICKLY: UW linebacker Ben Mahdavi and kicker John Anderson were named Pac-10 defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively. Mahdavi had 15 tackles against USC, while Anderson booted the game-winning, 32-yard field goal as time expired. ... UW graduate assistant John Pettas was Arizona State's offensive coordinator last year, when he worked opposite Phil Snow, who was the Sun Devils' defensive coordinator. Snow now holds that same position with UCLA ... UCLA coach Bob Toledo said his team is healthy. Only backup fullback Matt Stanley (ankle) and receiver Cody Joyce (concussion) are doubtful for Saturday's game

P-I reporter Ted Miller can be reached at 206-448-8017 or tedmiller@seattlepi.com

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