SEATTLE — The big man on campus wore a black University of Washington cap as he surveyed his new domain, searching out friends and accommodating well-wishers after a debut performance that will do nothing to subdue those who believe he’s the Huskies’ Next Big Thing.



Among those who sought an audience with Jacob Eason after Washington’s season-opening, 47-14 thumping of overmatched FCS foe Eastern Washington: a young man wearing a Lake Stevens High football jersey, No. 10 on the chest, Eason’s last name on the back. The two posed for a photo together, and the quarterback gave him a fist bump before commencing with his postgame TV interview.



Was this a friend? A family member? Someone Eason otherwise knows from his hometown 45 minutes north of here?



“I’m honestly not sure,” Eason said. “I think he’s an Eastern fan. But he had my high school jersey on. Lake Stevens pride. I don’t know what...