If you walked into Husky Stadium right now, the energy would feel... different. It’s not just the crisp Seattle air or the view of Lake Washington that’ll take your breath away. It is the roster. Specifically, the University of Washington football players who are currently redefining what it means to play in Montlake under Jedd Fisch.
Honestly, a lot of people outside of Seattle thought the program would crater after Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama. They saw the mass exodus to the transfer portal and figured the Huskies were headed for a decade of mediocrity.
They were wrong. Basically, the "rebuild" turned into a "reload" faster than most fans could track.
The Stars You Need to Know Right Now
Let's talk about the guys actually moving the needle. If you aren't watching Demond Williams Jr., you're missing the future of the Big Ten. The sophomore quarterback is electric. He basically lived up to the hype immediately, throwing four touchdowns in the LA Bowl win over Boise State to cap off the 2025 season. His foot speed is, frankly, scary. People keep comparing him to a young Russell Wilson because of that "never-out-of-the-play" escapability.
Then you've got the backfield. Jonah Coleman is a hammer. Period. He hit the 1,000-yard mark in 2024 despite a rotating door on the offensive line, and he remains the emotional heartbeat of the offense as a senior. Watching him run is a lesson in physics; he’s 5'9" but weighs 220-plus pounds of pure forward lean.
And we have to mention the departure of Denzel Boston. The 6'4" wideout officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after a monster junior campaign where he hauled in 11 touchdowns. Losing him hurts, but it opens the door for guys like Kevin Green Jr. and incoming freshman phenom Jordan Clay to step into the spotlight.
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Why the Defensive Front is Different
Most fans focus on the flashy skill players. But the real story of the University of Washington football players lately is the trenches.
- Elinneus Davis is the anchor. He’s the lone returning starter on the interior for 2026, and his 424 snaps last year proved he can handle the Big Ten's "three yards and a cloud of dust" style.
- The EDGE position is getting a facelift. With Zach Durfee moving on, the Huskies are leaning on Jacob Lane and the versatile Xe’ree Alexander.
- Fisch just brought in a haul from the portal, including Ball State transfer Darin Conley and Sacramento State’s DeSean Watts. Watts, specifically, is a mountain of a man at 318 pounds.
The Recruiting Revolution of 2026
If you want to know where this program is headed, look at the signing class that just went live in December 2025. This is statistically the highest-rated recruiting class in UW history. No joke.
Jedd Fisch managed to flip five-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene from Oregon. That’s the kind of move that changes a program's trajectory. Greene is 6'6" and 320 pounds, and he’s expected to be a Day 1 contributor. He’s joined by other massive gets like Brian Bonner, who is widely considered the best running back prospect to ever sign with the Huskies from the California ranks.
It's weirdly impressive how Fisch has bridged the gap between local talent and national reaches. He kept the top player in the state, edge rusher Derek Colman-Brusa, at home while still pulling four-star wide receivers like Trez Davis out of Louisiana.
What Most People Miss About the "New" Huskies
There is this misconception that the team is just a collection of transfers. It’s not. While the portal helped stabilize the ship, the culture is being built on high school recruiting and "re-signing" current players. Fisch mentioned in his January 15, 2026 press conference that they re-signed 61 players from the 2025 roster.
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That matters. Continuity is the most expensive currency in college football right now.
You've also got the "Hall of Fame" effect. With Chris Petersen and Olin Kreutz being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, there’s a renewed sense of history around the building. Current players aren't just playing for a paycheck or a portal entry; they are seeing the blueprint of legendary status right in front of them.
Realities of the Big Ten Jump
Let’s be real for a second. The move to the Big Ten was a massive shock to the system. The University of Washington football players had to get bigger. Fast. You can't survive a November game in Ann Arbor or Columbus with a finesse-only roster.
That’s why you see the emphasis on guys like Landen Hatchett at center. He’s a local kid from Ferndale who embodies that "nasty" offensive line play. He started at three different positions last year—both guard spots and center—because he’s just that technically sound.
The NFL Pipeline is Real
NFL scouts are basically permanent residents in Seattle these days. Beyond Boston, you have:
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- Tacario Davis: A 6'4" cornerback who is a nightmare for opposing receivers. He’s got "first-round pick" written all over his length and recovery speed.
- Ephesians Prysock: Another tall corner (6'4") who makes the Huskies' secondary one of the most physically imposing in the country.
- Jacob Manu: When he’s healthy, he’s the best linebacker in the conference. He led the Pac-12 in tackles back in 2023, and if his knee holds up, he’s a Sunday player.
Actionable Insights for Husky Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the revolving door of modern college football, don't just follow the headlines.
- Watch the Spring Game (April 1st): This is where you’ll see the nine new portal additions and early enrollees like Kodi Greene for the first time.
- Monitor the Interior DL: The success of the 2026 season rests entirely on whether Elinneus Davis and the transfers (Watts, Conley, McClendon) can stop the run.
- Follow the "Re-Signing" News: In the current era, keeping a player like Demond Williams Jr. from hitting the portal is just as important as landing a five-star recruit.
The University of Washington football players are no longer just "the team that made that one playoff run." They are a sustained, high-level operation that has successfully navigated the most chaotic era in the sport's history.
To stay ahead, keep an eye on the injury reports for Taariq Al-Uqdah and Kade Eldridge as spring practice approaches. Their availability will dictate whether the Huskies enter the 2026 season as a dark horse or a frontrunner in the expanded Big Ten.
Next Steps for Your Husky Knowledge:
- Check the official 2026 roster for jersey number changes, as several freshmen have already swapped digits since signing.
- Review the 2026 schedule to see when the Huskies travel to the Midwest; those "cold weather" games will be the ultimate test for the new-look defensive line.