Jojo McIntosh has been putting in work since his senior season started at the University of Washington. The safety made seven tackles and one pass break up during the Huskies’ 16-21 loss to the Auburn Tiger on September 1.
McIntosh has been enjoying his time in Seattle along with his time attending Washington; he noted how he enjoyed the summers in the city.
“Being a Husky is the greatest thing in the world,” McIntosh said. “Not only are we a good football team, Seattle’s a great city to be in. The opportunities we have just looking for a job in Seattle is amazing.”
McIntosh, a Los Angeles native, recently earned a degree in social justice. Along with having a career in football, he also wants to be a lawyer and attend law school.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t have a voice, I’ve been put in a position where I can speak for a lot of people,” McIntosh said. “I think that’ll be a good thing for me.”
His efforts in the classroom gave McIntosh a Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2015 and 2016. Throughout his years at Washington, he took several African American studies classes to learn the history of his culture.
“I just took a class recently called “African American Aesthetics,”” McIntosh said. “Basically, learning music, culture, appropriation, all the stuff that makes us who we are.”
The Huskies coaches ensure that the student athletes are able to pursue their studies. They will give them time to study and tutors if needed. McIntosh noted how co-defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski helps the players take time for their academics.
“If you have class and practice at the same time, you’re going to class and class is important,” McIntosh said. “[Kwiatkowski] emphasizes that school comes before football.”
After redshirting his freshmen year, McIntosh played in every game as a sophomore. He made his first collegiate interception in the Huskies’ win over the Arizona Wildcats.
The L.A. native was voted the Washington Huskies coaches defensive player of the week as a junior. He led the team with seven tackles when Washington defeated Cal. In 2017, McIntosh earned All-Pac12 second team.
McIntosh’s father got him into the sport at 10 years old, he started playing as a lineman.
“[He] just felt like I needed something to do, I was just sitting around the house,” McIntosh said. “I’ve always liked football but I really started enjoying it in high school when I started getting offers.”
During his time at Chaminade Prep high school, McIntosh was ranked the 44th safety name in the nation. He helped the Eagles win a CIF division II state championship. McIntosh also was named on the All-CIF Southern Section Western Division first team.
