Casey Paus is ready to play quarterback for the Washington Huskies. --

Dawgs' Paus could give 'Cats Paus for thought
by Richard Linde, 18 October 2001

During the UCLA/Washington game last Saturday, with Cody Pickett out with a separated shoulder and Taylor Barton limping badly, it could have been the first fraternal showing at quarterback in Pac-10 history. Freshman quarterback Casey Paus was ready to replace Barton and join his brother Cory, who quarterbacks the Bruins, on opposite ends of the playing field.

With J.K. Scott transferring to Liberty in Virginia to challenge Biff Parson for the starting job and with Ryan Porter transferring to Southwest Missouri State, Paus is the number three quarterback at Washington behind Pickett and Barton. Although Washington coaches want him to redshirt this year, Paus was ready to go, if the need had arisen.

Courtesy of dawgman.com

This week, Casey Paus will be ready to start for Washington against the Arizona Wildcats if Taylor Barton (sprained foot; waiting for the results of an MRI) and Cody Pickett (third-degree shoulder separation) can’t play.

Injured almost two weeks ago in the game against USC, Pickett has been throwing in practice this week; in a third degree or complete separation, the long-term shoulder joint stability and strength remain almost normal, but athletes may desire surgical repair to regain the last few percent of function. However, if Pickett is in pain, he probably won't start, and Barton's status is iffy, since he hasn't practiced this week.

Cory Paus, courtesy of dawgman.com

Paus' brother, Cory, redshirted his first year at UCLA and took over the Bruins' starting job three games into the 1999 season. He suffered a fractured collarbone against Washington to end his season, which required surgery, and separated a shoulder against Alabama in the 2000 season opener.

Before committing to Washington, Casey Paus, who is from New Lenox, Illinois, played quarterback at Lincoln-Way high school. He was the Gatorade Illinois State Player of the Year, throwing for 1,702 yards, 18 touchdowns, with just 5 interceptions. He finished his career for the Lincoln-Way Knights with 5,734 yards passing and 51 touchdowns. He was a Sporting News, PrepStar, Student Sports, and SuperPrep All-American. Rvials.com ranked him as the sixth best quarterback in the nation. He was recruited by Colorado, Arizona State, Miami, Purdue, Michigan and Illinois but chose Washington because of the opportunity to play immediately. As far as UCLA was concerned, "I wanted to do my own thing," Casey has been quoted as saying. "I've always been known as Cory's little brother."

Kim Grinolds, dawgman.com

Casey is 6-5, 200 pounds, three inches taller than his brother--three inches Cory says he would kill for. Although slightly less mobile than Cory, his arm strength is about the same. Casey got mostly A’s in high school, some in advanced placement classes, and is interested in art and photography.

More than just a dabbler in the arts, he has taken a keen interest in art and photography since the eighth grade. He is proficient in oil paints, pencil, chalk and ink and is interested in graphic design. In high school, Paus was a member of the Chicago Tribune Scholar-Athlete Team. "He has the size, speed, arm and the smarts to take his game to any level," one recruiting analyst says. "Both Paus's have NFL potential."

Casey Paus is the second of three siblings. His mother, Nancy, teaches school and his father, Rick, is a contractor. Eighteen years old, Casey was born on March 27, 1983 in Hinsdale, Ill.

According to dawgman.com, Casey was throwing a bit high in practice yesterday, but should be able to make an adjustment. Nancy Paus says that her son Casey is deep-thinking but doesn't always show it. If so, the Dawgs' Paus could give the 'Cats Paus for thought.

(For more on Taylor Barton and Cody Pickett)