Auburn’s Shelton emerges as a force for the Huskies

Once upon a time, Danny Shelton was Auburn's little secret. Nowadays, however, it's hard to picture anything little about the 6-foot-2, 339-pound senior defensive lineman for the University of Washington Huskies.

By Shawn Skager • October 8, 2014 7:56 pm
Danny Shelton is one of the senior leaders on the University of Washington’s defense. The former Auburn High star is considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country and a likely first-round NFL draft selection.
Danny Shelton is one of the senior leaders on the University of Washington’s defense. The former Auburn High star is considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country and a likely first-round NFL draft selection.

Once upon a time, Danny Shelton was Auburn’s little secret.

Nowadays, however, it’s hard to picture anything little about the 6-foot-2, 339-pound senior defensive lineman for the University of Washington Huskies.

And there is nothing secret about the things that Shelton does on the gridiron these days.

The 2011 Auburn High School graduate – an All-Pac-12 honorable mention for the past two seasons – is third on the NCAA sacks and tackles-for-loss lists, with seven and 10 respectively.

In the Huskies’ 59-52 win against Eastern Washington on Sept. 6, Shelton had four sacks, becoming only the fifth Husky to have more than four sacks in a game and the first since Martin Harrison did it in 1989.

Before the season even began, the Sporting News had already named Shelton a preseason All-American. His name is often bandied about as a possible first-round NFL draft pick come April.

Additonally, Shelton is on the watch list for many of the NCAA’s defensive player awards, including the Outland and Lombardi awards – Husky great Steve Emtman won both in 1991 – and the Chuck Bednarik, Bronko Nagurski and Ronnie Lott/IMPACT awards.

Shelton took advantage of a rare day off to pay his home town a visit last Friday.

For the 21-year-old Shelton, this meant a trip to Washington Elementary School and the classroom of fourth/fifth grade teacher John Markwell.

Shelton, a former Markwell student, took time to talk with students in the class about making good choices and overcoming obstacles. Shelton dealt with the loss of his brother and role model, Shennon, who was shot and killed in an altercation before Shelton began attending the UW.

“It was tough, it was a long process,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m over that now. It’s tough. My little brother was there too (Kevin Shelton). So I try to be tough for him and hide my tears and be there for him, my older sister and my mom. I just didn’t want to show any emotions and just show I could stand up and take care of everybody.”

Promising future

If the prognosticators are right and Shelton maintains his level of play, he should have little trouble taking care of his family financially.

Last year’s 2014 NFL draft first-round deals ranged from the $22.2 million contract awarded to Jadeveon Clowney, the first pick in the 2014 draft, to the $6.8 million awarded to the draft’s final first-round pick, Teddy Bridgewater.

Nearly all of the players in the first-round were awarded seven-figure bonuses, something that hasn’t escaped Shelton’s notice, despite his desire to focus on his final season of college ball.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that,” Shelton added. “I’m going to buy my mom a car or a house and just take care of her.”

Regardless of how he fares in next spring’s draft, or where he ends up playing, Shelton said, he’s just pleased to have come back for his senior year and thankful for the opportunity to play a season for Huskies coach Chris Petersen.

“I just felt like I still had more to learn,” Shelton said. “I felt like I was ready last season physically, but mentally I still had a lot to learn. And when I heard Coach Pete was coming in, I knew I had to stay to get as much knowledge from him in a little amount of time as I could. He has opened my eyes to what I have and what I can do with what I have.

“I feel like Coach Petersen has helped me become more of a leader off the field,” Shelton continued. “I’m more focused on the outside world. When we’re in football, that’s all there is, we’re focused on that. He’s challenged a lot of the seniors and me to be a great leaders.”

Despite all his goals and responsibilities, Shelton still hasn’t forgotten the real reason he plays the game.

“I’m just looking to have some fun and make this a great experience,” he said.

Shelton and the 4-1 Huskies look to rebound from a 20-13 loss to Stanford on Saturday when they play at 3 p.m. Saturday against the 4-1 California Golden Bears in Berkeley (Pac-12 Network, 1000 AM/97.7 FM).

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PHOTO BELOW: Danny Shelton signs autographs for students at Washington Elementary School, his old school. Shawn Skager, Auburn Reporter