Top 10 Huskies’ Freshmen Poised to Make Impact in 2026
The Washington Huskies’ football program has a long history of playing true freshmen who impact winning on the field. Bringing in coach Jedd Fisch’s best recruiting class - and the best in school history (No. 12) - the Huskies have quite a few freshmen who project to get significant playing time this year.
Fisch preaches that he wants players playing as soon as they are ready regardless of class, stating, “If we make a commitment to go get a great player in high school, why would we not expect to play that player?”
Developing young players is important, but Fisch believes the best path toward development is live-game reps.
“There is too much to learn. We are such a young team... we have to look at the tape and teach off of it... we have to keep learning,” Fisch said.
In 2024, Decker DeGraaf was thrust into a starting role after multiple injuries to the tight end room. His insertion into the starting lineup paid immediate dividends, as his play resulted in him being named a Freshman All-American.
The following year, Texas native John Mills won the starting left guard job over a sophomore blue-chip prospect in Paki Finau. Choosing the freshman again proved to be the right call, as Mills earned Freshman All-American honors as well.
Will the Huskies have a third straight Freshman All-American? Who else might start in their first year?
Huskies Camp Day 3: Putting on the Pads, Uiagalelei Returns
Study hall is over, and the real classes have begun.
The Huskies put on the pads for the first time on Sunday, and 2026 University of Washington football school is officially in session.
“Today just felt so good getting the pads on,” second-year offensive lineman John Mills said. “Last time was a spring game, and that was it was kind of a tempo-down practice. But now we're just getting fall camp, getting ready for the season — being able to hit people is always fun.”
Jordan Washington Injury Situation Clarifies Huskies Running Back Room
The cloudy Washington Huskies running back situation received some clarity Thursday at the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.
As long suspected, Jordan Washington will not be ready to join the team in August, and it will be “a reach” to play this season, head coach Jedd Fisch told On Montlake’s Christian Caple.
After leaving Husky Stadium in an ambulance on April 4 during the first week of spring football, the third-year running back remains in “major rehab-type, physical therapy,” Fisch told Caple while explaining that Washington remains hopeful to play football again.
The Montlake Report: Which Huskies' Running Backs Will Seize Opportunity in Wide Open Backfield?
The Washington Huskies face a backfield puzzle as Quaid Carr, Jayden Limar, Trey Cooley, and Jordan Washington jockey for carries under head coach Jedd Fisch’s historically committee-style approach. Can any of these running backs break through, or will health and spring performances keep the depth chart in flux? As Jonah Coleman heads to the NFL and Adam Mohammad joins Cal, competition heats up—especially with wild cards like Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe waiting for their shot.
On a new “The Montlake Report” podcast, Emerald City Spectrum reporter Aaron Coe breaks down what's at stake for Husky football, analyzing projected carries, injury uncertainties, and the role of each ball carrier for UW. He explores Fisch’s history of spreading opportunities, shares insider updates on Jordan Washington’s recovery, and weighs the potential impact of new transfers. One question drives the conversation: Will any running back emerge as a true difference-maker in Seattle this fall?
Who’s Going to Carry the Running Back Load for the Huskies in 2026?
When the Washington Huskies football team opens the 2026 season with the Sept. 5 Apple Cup, quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s first handoff to a running back will likely invoke a question from casual fans.
“Who is that guy?”
The answer at the end of spring football appeared easy: That guy was Quaid Carr. Who it will be in September, and how carries are distributed among a new-look running back room, may still be a question Washington coaches are asking each other a few games into the season.
Huskies Coaches Optimistic Heading Into Tuesday’s Spring Football Start
SEATTLE, Wash. — Looking to take another step forward, Jedd Fisch and his Washington Huskies football team begin spring football on Tuesday full of optimism.
It may seem like an eternity until the season kicks off with the Apple Cup on Sept. 5, but the hopes are high on Montlake after a 9-4 season in 2025. Spring ball will once again be spread out over five weeks, with Spring Game scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1. During the first four weeks, Washington will hold practices open to fans and media 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as Saturdays 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. through April 25.
While some components of the team are settled, spring will serve as an opportunity for coaches to begin determining how positions such as running back and offensive line will shake out this season. Here are some of the things we learned while meeting with all the coaches on Monday.
The Montlake Report: Biggest Storylines for the Huskies Heading Into Spring Football
Looking to improve on last year's 9-4 season, the Washington Huskies will open spring football on Tuesday, March 31. What are some of the biggest storylines heading into spring ball?
We also wrap up the end of the UW women's and men's basketball seasons.
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