> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Freshmen Ready to Seize Starting Roles for Huskies for 2026 Football Season - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/freshmen-derek-colman-brusa-kodi-greene-starting-roles-for-huskies-for-2026-washington-huskies/ - Published: 2026-04-19T19:59:41.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:53:11.000Z - Author: Aaron Coe - Tags: News, Analysis, Huskies Football, Spring Football, Derek Colman-Brusa, Kodi Greene, Jordan Washington, Quaid Carr, Jedd Fisch Freshmen Ready to Seize Starting > [#Huskies](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskies?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) true freshman defensive tackle, who will be 17 years old for 10 more days, talks about the transition from high school to Big Ten Football. [pic.twitter.com/ELzUUl87Kn](https://t.co/ELzUUl87Kn?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— Aaron Coe (@Coe\_Aaron) [April 18, 2026](https://twitter.com/Coe%5FAaron/status/2045612687539998917?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) Roles for Huskies for 2026 Football Season SEATTLE, Wash. — Not long ago, the thought of playing a true freshman left tackle or defensive lineman sounded like desperation or a potential disaster. For the Jedd Fisch-led Washington Huskies football team — and more and more across college football — it’s becoming the norm. Many things have changed since Don James paced the sidelines at Husky Stadium. Among them is the philosophy of playing freshman, which he once humorously stated should be played “when they are seniors.” There’s no time for that in modern-day college football. Players come in physically ready to contribute, and you never know how long they’ll be in the program. Coaches can either play them — while paying them — or spend time grooming them to potentially contribute for another coach at another school. Left tackle Kodi Greene and 17-year-old defensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa headline a group of true freshmen who will contribute in meaningful ways to Washington’s 2026 season. They don’t look like freshmen who should be lining up dinner reservations for high school senior prom instead of against each other at Huskies spring ball and preparing for starting roles. Back in James’ day, linemen often arrived on campus needing to put on 50 pounds before they could hold up in college football. Guys like John Mills, who played guard as a 17-year-old freshman last year, Greene and Colman-Brusa are already there. Modern training for high school players is different, and they arrive on Montlake in January of their high school senior years to give themselves nine months of working with UW strength staff and dietitians. “The goal is to not even know they're a freshman, just go out there and play,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said after Saturday’s practice, which included 120 plays in scrimmage situations. “That's why high school kids want to come to Washington. They know that we don't get into ‘Are you old? Are you young? Are You Experienced? Are you not?’ It's, ‘Are you the best player at your position?’ If you are, we're going to play you. And the best way to get good at football is playing football. And those guys have done a tremendous job getting ready to go compete in this Big Ten conference.” > [#Huskies](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Huskies?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) true freshman left tackle Kodi Greene talks about his first three weeks of spring ball and the help he’s received from guard John Mills. [pic.twitter.com/sfAV5ab3o2](https://t.co/sfAV5ab3o2?ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com)— Aaron Coe (@Coe\_Aaron) [April 18, 2026](https://twitter.com/Coe%5FAaron/status/2045611434579775512?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=emeraldcityspectrum.com) The 6-6 Greene said Saturday he’s at about 315 pounds. Colman-Brusa, who was listed at 6-5, 267 pounds last fall, said he’s up to 295\. Both have shown high levels of athleticism and quickness for men (boys?) their size. Upon arrival in January, the frosh phenom duo became fast friends and lifting partners. “Kodi’s my number one guy,” said Colman-Brusa, out of Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Washington. “You know, we're, we're lifting partners. It's always good on good — unbelievable kid. Love his work ethic. He's definitely one of my favorites to go up against.” Both are well aware of how they compare in the weight room. Greene acknowledged that he’s ahead of Colman-Brusa in some areas, and behind in others. Colman-Brusa claims he’s got Greene in the bench and squat categories, while Greene’s ahead in power clean and overhead press. Both players have benefited from the help of more experienced players getting them adapted to college football and campus life. Greene has leaned on Mills, who learned last year what it’s like to start as a true freshman on the offensive line. “He's kind of taking me under his wing,” said Greene, a Renton native who played his junior and senior seasons at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. “If I need help with something, he's there for me. When we were in the offseason or winter ball, I would meet with him, and we would just go over all the plays and the overall growth connection between each other.” As recently as a few years ago, finding a mentor to talk about what it’s like to start as a true freshman on a Big Ten line would have been difficult. Freshmen would come to campus in the summer and work with the scout team while hoping for rare reps with players listed on depth charts. Colman-Brusa and Greene, however, have essentially taken every rep with the first team since Day 1 of spring ball. Barring injury or other unforeseen circumstance, it would be a major shock if either player isn’t trotting out for the first series with their respective lines against Washington State in the season-opening Apple Cup on Sept. 5\. “I just want to focus on being the best leader I can be, and working as hard as I can, and kind of letting everything else figure \[itself\] out,” Colman-Brusa said. Several other true freshmen will likely contribute in meaningful ways in 2025\. Receiver Jordan Clay is in a battle to start at the “X” position. Tufanua Ionatana Uma-Cais looks to be part of the defensive line rotation. Another half-dozen freshmen or so appear to be in the mix to make the depth chart. ### Running Back Jordan Washington Update The redshirt sophomore running back attended Saturday’s practice, watching from the sideline while wearing a neck brace two weeks after leaving Husky Stadium in an ambulance. Already ruled out of spring practice, the long-term prognosis does not seem clear. “We’re going to reevaluate everything as the summer progresses,” Fisch said. “The first thing we have to do is get him out of his neck brace. Once we get that phase, then we’ll go on from there and evaluate it. The doctors will lead us through that. We’re currently just in a wait-and-see. Once we see how he does once the brace is off, then we’ll have a much better way to update you guys on what it looks like for training camp.” Quaid Carr has dominated first-team reps during Washington’s absence. Senior transfers Jayden Limar and Trey Cooley are also out for spring while recovering from offseason surgeries. Freshmen Brian Bonner and Ansu Sanoe have been mixing in a lot, along with sophomore Julian McMahan and walk-on sophomore Ryken Moon. Carr’s touches seemed more limited on Saturday, though it’s likely coaches are trying not to overwork the potential starter. It’s not easy to fully evaluate the performance of running backs during spring ball, as the whistles are blown pretty quickly and contact is limited. ### Paul Mencke Shines During Scrimmage The redshirt junior safety turned in perhaps his best practice performance of his career on Saturday. Mencke, working with the first team quite a bit while Rylon Dillard Allen remains out with a minor injury, made several big hits, including at least one tackle for loss, and intercepted a pass in 7-on-7 drills. He also batted away a pass or two while running next to freshman Gavin Day with the second unit. While Alex McLaughlin and Dillard-Allen seem to have starting spots locked up, the growth of Mencke and redshirt sophomore Rahim Wright will be crucial for depth purposes and potential three-safety looks that defensive coordinator Walters used at times last season. CJ Christian, who looked to be a potential starter at this time last season, tore his Achilles during Tuesday’s practice at the Seahawks’ facility. Christian, a senior who graduated from high school in 2019, played in just one game in 2025 before missing the season with a turf toe injury. Fisch indicated that Mencke wants to grow into a player like UW safeties coach Taylor Mays, a former All-American at USC. “Paul's done a great job of competing and being physical and playing fast,” Fisch said. “And you can see he, over these three years, has really grown into understanding now the system and what's asked of him as a safety. I think there's a lot of him that he wants to be like Coach Mays, right? He sees himself as a tall, linear, big hitter.” ### Other Injury News Aside from Christian and the uncertainty around Washington’s neck situation, the Huskies appear to be in relatively good health after three weeks of spring ball. Interior lineman Geirean Hatchett, who was wearing an elbow brace Saturday but is no longer in a sling, should be back by June, Fisch said. His brother, center Landen Hatchett, is recovering from offseason hand surgery but will be fully ready in the summer as well. Fisch said minor soft tissue injuries have limited potential “X” receivers Clay, Chris Lawson and Bodpegn Miller. Lawson has slowly worked back into team sessions the past two practices and had a couple of catches Saturday. ### The Kicking Game Kickers Tyler Robles and CJ Wallace made some kicks in the 35-36-yard range. Robles hit a 43-yard try after the No. 1 offense was stopped by Wright’s nice tackle of receiver Rashid Williams. Robles missed two tries from 50 yards. Both kicks had the distance, but one went left and the other missed right. The Huskies will resume practice at 3:30 Tuesday, and the session will again be open to fans and media.