Washington's Johri Fogerson back in his comfort zone at running back

For one brief moment Friday, Johri Fogerson was back in the end zone, taking a handoff and running 9 yards for a score during the Washington football team's practice at Husky Stadium. It was the only one for the offense during the final 11-on-11 session that caps every Huskies practice.

"It feels good to be there again," Fogerson said.

Not only back in the end zone, but in his comfort zone.

The sophomore is again a tailback after spending most of last season at safety, switched to the secondary after the first game of the season to help fill in at an injury-ravaged position.

"Running back fits me more," said Fogerson, who was The Seattle Times' state player of the year as a senior at O'Dea High in 2007 when he rushed for 2,545 yards and 36 touchdowns. "I feel more comfortable over here on the offensive side of the ball. I think I can give to the team more on this side of the ball."

Fogerson started three games at strong safety last season and ended spring ball as a co-starter at free safety. But he said the move back to running back was already in the works. When Steve Sarkisian took the Huskies coaching job, he asked Fogerson if he wanted to return to the backfield.

Fogerson said he was content enough at safety, but was happy to move back if needed. After the Huskies lost four tailbacks to injuries and academics during the offseason, Sarkisian asked Fogerson to make the switch.

Fogerson said it was a far cry from how he found out he'd be moving to safety last September from former head coach Tyrone Willingham.

"I just came to the locker room one day and I had a different-colored jersey," he said. "Willingham made the decision for me. I had no say in what happened."

Two weeks later, Fogerson found himself starting against Oklahoma and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. He made nine tackles, but also predictably found himself on the bad end of a few plays as the Sooners beat UW 55-14.

"The cards were dealt," Fogerson said, shrugging as he recalled the game. "But that was last year. This year, it's a lot better. More organized. This coaching staff really takes everybody under their wing."

He's made a good first impression at his new position; on Thursday, he was named the team's player of the day.

"He's very natural at the position," said new running-backs coach Joel Thomas. "He has very nice vision, very nice speed and acceleration through the holes."

Thomas did say Fogerson needs to work on getting a little lower — at 6 feet 1, he's 2 inches taller than any of the team's other tailbacks.

"He's got to get used to running behind his pads," Thomas said. "But he is very conscientious of what he needs to work on."

Fogerson also brings added heft to the position. Listed at 191 pounds, he said he's actually about 210, about eight more than a year ago.

And he insists his overall uptick in happiness supersedes any worries about playing time. While he projected as a possible starter at safety, the tailback battle is one of the most intense on the team with all five players getting roughly equal reps in practice this week.

And while the team has a depth chart — Chris Polk and Willie Griffin were listed as co-starters entering fall camp — Thomas said it's too early to tell where anyone will finish.

"There's no guarantees at all," Fogerson said. "I'm just letting everything play out and whatever happens, happens."