Jedd Fisch Happy With Washington Huskies’ First Day of Spring Practice

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2080"]

University of Washington Huskies starting running back Jonah Coleman participates in a drill guided by UW running backs coach Scottie Graham at Dempey Indoor Center on April 1, 2025. Credit: Aaron Coe, Emerald City Spectrum [/caption]

SEATTLE, Wash. — If a team could win or lose on the first day of spring football practice, it appeared the University of Washington Huskies started 1-0 on Tuesday.

They made some plays and got work done. No one appeared to sustain an injury. And there seemed to be an air of enthusiasm as the team spent the majority of practice in the confines of Dempsey Indoor Center as the skies above Husky Stadium threatened rain but delivered mostly sunshine.

What exactly the Huskies will deliver in the fall of 2025 is not much easier to forecast than April weather in Seattle, but head coach Jedd Fisch liked what he saw on the first day of spring football.

“Thought it was a good practice,” Fisch said outside the stadium tunnel. “Thought we did a lot of good things. Great energy out there, great enthusiasm. Everything you could ask for in the first day of school, and that’s what it felt like for our guys. … We have a lot more size out there, so all that was good. Now it’s a matter of how good we can get.”

Washington practiced in jerseys, helmets, and shorts Tuesday, and will again on Thursday as the first two sessions are required by the NCAA to be without pads.

Here are some of the things seen in Tuesday’s practice:

Receiver Omare Evans ruled the 11-on-11 session

Evans, a Penn State transfer, made three strong catches in the no-huddle drills that took up the final 15 minutes of practice. The 6-0, 190-pound senior beat cornerback Elias Johnson and safety Vincent Holmes, and quarterback Shea Kuykendall delivered a strong throw that Evans high-pointed and took to the ground a few yards shy of the end zone. Kai Horton, a quarterback transfer from Tulane, then found Evans for touchdowns of approximately 25 and 10 yards. Though Johnson was in relatively decent position, Evans was able to go up and win the ball for the second TD. It was the final play of practice, leading to much jubilation from the entire offense.

“Omari looks like he can give us a lot out there,” Fisch said. “Speed, his ability to catch the ball in traffic. He caught some contested balls today. I was excited, especially the way practice ended.”

Jonah Coleman fit, fast

Senior running back Jonah Coleman, listed at 5-9, 228 pounds, looked quicker than last season after dropping some weight and adding muscle. Coleman, who had a noticeable paunch at this time last year, showed a strong burst in drills, though again, no tackling was allowed. Regardless, he may look even better when he can break tackle attempts. Sophomore Adam Mohammed (6 0, 215 pounds) and the smaller but perhaps quicker Jordan Washington (redshirt freshman, 5-11, 185) seemed to get much of the work behind Coleman.

“(Coleman) looks great — he’s running great,” Fisch said. “I thought he did a really good job out there today. … He’s got some good little breakaway speed to him.”

Quarterback pecking order

Fisch has made it clear since the end of 2024 that Demond Williams Jr. is his starter. Williams Jr. connected on some routine throws during the no-huddle session and used his legs for a few big gains. He scored from about 10 yards out while showing the same burst from last year. He looked electric each time he took off, though defenders are not permitted to hit quarterbacks, especially with no pads. Fisch indicated Tuesday that the backup job remains open, though Kuykendall and Horton dominated the backup reps in the first practice.

“I see it being really with all four guys right now,” Fisch said. “I thought Dash (Beierly) and Kini (McMillan), for their first day on a college football field, did a really good job in some of their periods. For that last no-huddle period, we just went with Shea and Kai today. On Thursday, we’ll go with a different group.”

Carver Willis working at left tackle

Though it was only day one, Kansas State transfer Carver Willis got most of the work at left tackle, with returning starter Drew Azzopardi on the right side. Maximus McCree could still factor in at left tackle — which would put Willis on the right side — but he worked with the second unit on Tuesday. Landen Hatchett started at center as expected, while Paki Finau was at left guard and Zach Henning at right guard.

Geiran Hatchett, who returned after a year at Oklahoma, worked at center with the second team, rather than right guard as some anticipated. A couple of freshmen practiced with the second unit — John Mills at left guard and Champ Taulealea at right guard. Sophomore Foane Faasolo, who started at left tackle at times last season, participated as the second-team right tackle.

It is common for line coaches to try different combinations during spring, so it’s uncertain who new offensive line coach Michael Switzer will roll out against Colorado State on Aug. 30.

Spring practice schedule

All sessions are open for fans to attend. Practices are currently scheduled to run Tuesdays (3:30 - 6 PM), Thursdays (3:30 - 6 PM) and Saturdays (11:30 AM - 2:00 PM) from April 1-26. The schedule shifts to Monday and Wednesday for the final week, with practice times tabbed for 3:30 to 6 PM before the “Dawgs After Dark Spring Game” at 6:30 PM on Friday, May 2. Admission for the spring game is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available here.

According to the UW, the practice schedule is subject to change. Click here for practice day and time updates.