As the Washington Huskies prepare for their third season in the Big Ten under Jedd Fisch, expectations around the team are in an interesting place.
On one hand, the Huskies lost seven players to the NFL draft, including their leading rusher and receiver, Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston, among several others to the transfer portal, like running back Adam Mohammed and defensive tackle Bryce Butler. But on the other hand, the Huskies have also seen an infusion of talent that could help elevate Fisch’s roster.
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Between transfer portal acquisitions like defensive linemen Darin Conley and DeSean Watts, along with cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, Washington picked up several experienced players who could fill important roles this fall. Combined with freshmen like left tackle Kodi Greene, defensive linemen Derek Colman-Brusa, TI Umu-Cais, and Ramzak Fruean, and wide receivers Jordan Clay and Trez Davis, Fisch’s coaching staff expects the 2026 class to contribute quickly.
However, despite all the incoming talent, most projections have the Huskies winning eight or nine games in the regular season after a 9-4 2025 campaign, including Washington’s victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl.
The Huskies will also have the luxury of leaning on what should be one of college football’s best defenses in 2026, after defensive coordinator Ryan Walters led an impressive resurgence from the unit in 2025, finishing No. 12 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 100.08 yards per game, No. 15 in scoring defense (18.7 points per game), and No. 21 in total defense (311.4 yards per game).
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Headed up by what should be one of the nation’s best groups of linebackers in seniors Xe’ree Alexander and Jacob Manu, along with sophomore Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, there are internal expectations around the unit to be one of the nation’s top ten defenses. If the Huskies can make that anticipated jump in Walters’ second year after not allowing more than 26 points in any game in 2025, they should find themselves within striking distance in every contest.
The season will come down to two factors: quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s play in big games and winning on the road. With matchups against USC and Oregon away from home, while Husky Stadium will welcome the defending national champions, Indiana, and Penn State, Fisch’s team will have several opportunities to prove that it can potentially get to double-digit wins in his third season.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Examining Washington football’s expectations for 2026
