Former Huskies quarterback Johnny DuRocher is trying to find a role on the Washington pitching staff after the removal of a benign brain tumor ended his football career.

"He's working at it," coach Ken Knutson said. "We're going to try to bring him around. There's enough arm there that he could (contribute), but there's also a lot of baseball that hasn't been played."

DuRocher, a redshirt junior, starred in football at Bethel High School in Spanaway, but hasn't played organized baseball since he was a prep sophomore.

In a Nov. 11 football loss to Stanford, DuRocher threw an interception and attempted to make a tackle, but was drilled by a Cardinal defender, causing a concussion. The subsequent CT scan and MRI revealed the tumor, which was removed Nov. 30.

"I have had a very long layoff -- about two and a half months from the concussion to when I was able to move and run around," he said.

"I don't think I'm 100 percent yet and in full condition, but I think I'm on my way."

DuRocher said he has thrown just three innings of live work, which came in a scrimmage. He called the performance "up and down."

"I think the more I get acclimated to what I'm doing, I think I'll be able to contribute," he said.

DuRocher has hit the 90s on a radar gun and will travel with the team to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo for this weekend's season-opening series against the Mustangs.

"It's going to be about how he adjusts," Knutson said. "Being a pitcher isn't rocket science -- figure out the signs and know where to go when the ball is put in play. Hopefully he has enough arm to overcome that inexperience."

At media day on Tuesday, DuRocher did interviews in his typical friendly manner.

"I just want to be another guy out here," he said. "If I can do that and not embarrass myself too much, I'll be happy."