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# Camp Takeaways: Huskies Receiver Battle Heating Up on Montlake
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/camp-takeaways-washington-huskies-receiver-battle-heating-up/
- Published: 2025-08-02T08:05:22.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T05:36:56.000Z
- Author: Aaron Coe
- Tags: Analysis, Washington Football, Huskies, Jedd Fisch, Demond Williams Jr., Denzel Boston, Rashid Williams, Omari Evans, Raiden Vines-Bright, Dezmen Roebuck

\[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1065"\]

![ Huskies wide receiver Rashid Williams (3) runs though a drill Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 on the University of Washington east practice field. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/img_8078-format-original.jpg)

Huskies wide receiver Rashid Williams (3) runs though a drill Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 on the University of Washington east practice field. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum \[/caption\]

SEATTLE, Wash. — Someone pretty good is going to get left out this fall.

The Washington Huskies receiver room was crowded this spring, with several freshmen taking most of the reps. Now the veterans are returning, and there are even more freshmen in the mix.

The sun was shining on the east practice field next to Husky Stadium during Day 3 of Huskies fall football camp, but the receiver rotation remains cloudy. As many as 8-10 receivers appear to be in the mix for playing time. As a World War II-era bomber flew overhead in preparation for Seafair, who sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. will throw bombs to in 2025 remains very much in up the air.

“We’ll throw the ball a lot in practice to see who can really make those plays,” Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said on July 29\. “And then we’ll probably have a four-man rotation. We don’t usually play too many more guys than that on a consistent basis.”

Denzel Boston, according to Fisch, is the only sure starter once he’s eased back into practices as the team makes sure he’s 100 percent recovered from an offseason “cleanup” surgery.

UW offensive coordinator Jimmie Doughery spoke at length about what may be the biggest camp battle. 

“There’s a ton of guys that can play, and now it’s just about, you know, who flashes the most, who can make the biggest for us,” he said. “Who knows what to do? Who’s assignment sound play in and play out.”

The knowing what to do part is of concern in part because most of the wide receiver corps is young. Of the 14 receivers on the UW roster, 11 are freshman or sophomores. That includes five true freshmen — several of whom are contending for time in Fisch’s tight receiver rotation.

With Boston claiming the X receiver position, some things may fall into place if Penn State transfer Omari Evans wins the slot position. Evans, a senior speedster, has spent some time in the slot during fall camp. If he plays that role, the front-runner opposite Boston would seem to be sophomore Rashid Williams. It may not be that simple, though.

The slot position was already a competitive spot prior to Evans’ arrival. Sophomore Audric Harris took many of the first-team reps early in spring ball, and continues to build a case. Coaches love Kevin Green Jr.’s tenacity in the blocking game despite his 5-11, 165-pound frame. Those types of intangibles could break some ties if the competition is close. Sophomore tight end Decker DeGraaf could also be a mismatch against slot defenders.

While Boston works his way back, true freshman Raiden Vines-Bright has spent much of the first three days of camp with the first team. The start of the spring game would seem to be a frontrunner for significant playing time this year if he can avoid the injuries that plagued him during his senior year of high school and most of UW spring ball.

“Keeping him healthy is the biggest thing with him,” Dougherty said. “But when he’s out there, he flashes. Kid’s got talent. He’s big, he’s strong … he fights through contact and makes plays when the ball’s in the air.”

Dezmen Roebuck’s three practices have impressed coaches thus far. Though the 5-11, 175-pound receiver out of Marana High School (Ariz.) wasn’t able to enroll in time for spring ball, the true freshman has been one of the fastest risers. Roebuck seems to catch everything that comes his way. He’s also impressed coaches with his work in the film room and his football IQ.

“He’s very talented,” Dougherty said. “He’s got great ball skills. And I would say early on, for it being his third day of college football — he just kind of gets the game. He understands the game. Very fundamentally sounds, not a lot of mental errors.

Deji Ajose, a lanky 6-2, also practiced with the Huskies for the first time on Wednesday and could emerge quickly. Fellow true freshman Chris Lawson also showed some flashes early in spring ball, but has been limited so far in fall camp. He could also re-emerge quickly as a contender. Redshirt freshman Justice Williams, a physical specimen at 6-4, 210, also saw significant reps in spring and so far in fall camp.

### Huskies Get Early Red Zone Work

Washington worked on red zone offense a little in the first two practices without pads, and it was a focus on the padded third day. Quarterbacks Demond Williams Jr, Kai Horton, Dash Beierly, and Kini McMillan all worked from various points within the 20-yard line to improve in an area Dougherty said “wasn’t good enough” during last year’s 6-7 season.

The Huskies ranked 97th in red zone touchdown percentage last year. With a bigger offensive line, Demond Williams Jr.’s running ability and some extra practice emphasis, Washington looks to significantly improve its red zone success. Early practices are a good time to work on it for a variety of reasons, according to Dougherty.

“It’s kind of twofold,” Dougherty said. “To make sure there’s no soft-tissue type injuries, where guys are opening up and running way down the field kind of thing. Also, those plays are important. Those are those four-point type plays. When you get down there, are you going to kick a field goal, or are you going to score a touchdown? We’ve got to find ways to get in the paint. That’s our main focus.”

### Demond Williams Jr. and Deuce

Demond Williams Jr. is polite and friendly, but will often answer questions in a succinct fashion. When asked about the dog he brought home in January, however, Williams gushed about his 10-month-old Rottweiler, which he named Deuce to match his No. 2 jersey. Growing up with his family’s Rottweiler — named Heisman — in Arizona, William decided to get one of his own a few months after moving to Seattle.

“I moved to a new place, and just having the company makes you feel more at home,” Williams said. “I feel like that was the main goal.

“He’s not huge right now, but he’s definitely big for a puppy, and so he’s still getting there.”

When asked about the key to training, Williams talked about perhaps the most important attribute of a quarterback — leadership.

“I feel like it’s leadership qualities, you know, just trying to teach them stuff. Also being able to discipline them without being harsh on them. Just understanding something from another thing’s point of view.”