‘No Ceiling’ for Huskies Sophomore Cornerback Dylan Robinson
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Washington cornerback Dylan Robinson speaks with the media after practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the tunnel at Husky Stadium. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum [/caption]
SEATTLE, Wash. — Dylan Robinson’s first start was quite a Big Ten baptism last year.
With senior cornerback Tacario Davis sidelined by injury, it was up to the true freshman to start against No. 1 Ohio State in a sold-out Husky Stadium. It wouldn’t be accurate to call it a baptism by fire, though, because he never really got burned by the Buckeyes and their receiving corps of first-round picks.
“I knew that my plan was to come in freshman year, and everyone's dream is to play the biggest game,” said Robinson after UW’s 10th spring ball practice on Tuesday. “Ohio State was the number one in the nation at that time. So I was just really blessed and grateful to be in those shoes, and I was just trying to keep football football.”
Robinson held his own that day, allowing three catches for 42 yards in the 24-6 loss. His Pro Football Focus grade for the game was the third-highest of the 21 UW defenders who played that day.
Being 6-3, 210 with the speed to keep up with the likes of Ohio State receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate certainly helps.
Robinson arrived at Washington in June of 2025 and quickly proved to be one of the top three corners on the team, behind Davis and fellow senior Ephesians Prysock. He breathed in everything he could from the two 6-foot-4 seniors, learning how to take advantage of size and minimize potential disadvantages against smaller, shiftier seniors.
“Fall camp was obviously nothing that I've ever experienced before,” Robinson said of 2025. “The football was way different than high school. The amount of times that we're practicing was way different. The lifts were different. Everything was so different.
“So I had to learn quickly, because I wanted to be the guy that was going to be the next step. So there's a lot to take in, and I think that coach, J-Rich [John Richardson], and really the whole coaching staff, kind of took me in, and they kept boosting me up, and helping me learn as much as I can.”
Robinson played in 12 of 13 games last season, starting five when Davis was unable to go. His strong play was of no particular surprise to Richardson, the UW secondary coach, who put forth significant effort to land the then high four-star recruit out of Bonita High School in La Verne, California.
So far, fighting off advances from schools such as Notre Dame, Arkansas and Utah has proved worthwhile.
Asked about the height of Robinson’s ceiling, Richardson indicated there is no such thing above Robinson’s head.
“Through the roof, through the roof,” Richardson said. “There is no ceiling. We’ll see how far he can go.”
“You look at his first start against Ohio State, that was a great, great game to get a start in. But also, going from potential to now being a guy to make plays. So, no longer going to just look at the measurables and things like that. We expect production, and he's been taking a step in the right direction.”
UW head coach Jedd Fisch seemed to have similar thoughts on ceilings when asked about Robinson prior to the start of spring ball.
“Looks like he should get himself to be in a first round pick one of these days here, next couple years,” Fisch said.
#Huskies sophomore cornerback Dylan Robinson talks about learning from Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis and starting as a true freshman against Ohio State last season. pic.twitter.com/kYElM2s7nU— Aaron Coe (@Coe_Aaron) April 22, 2026
Justice Williams, Ramzak Fruean make plays Tuesday
Williams, a third-year sophomore receiver listed at 6-3, 219 pounds, made the play of the day on offense, hauling in a 25-yard TD pass in the corner of the end zone from Demond Williams Jr. Justice Williams, in a battle to work his way into the two-deeps on the depth chart, made the catch a few plays after a 15-yard catch from sophomore Chris Lawson.
Lawson appeared to be fully back to practicing after missing time with a soft-tissue injury. He’s in what appears to be a three-way battle for the “X” receiver spot with senior transfer Christian Moss and true freshman Jorday Clay, both of whom remain out with soft-tissue injuries of their own.
On defense, Fruean, a true freshman edge, made a couple of stops, tipped a pass, and ended practice with what would likely have been a sack if contact were allowed with quarterbacks. Fruean typically works with the second team and seems in line to play a role this season.
Jedd Fisch, comedian
Two horns blew to signify the cooldown portion of practice, which typically involves some sort of running. Fisch began yelling instructions about groups of players running in different directions that included laps around the east practice field and the turf inside Husky Stadium.
“Do that three times, and it’ll be a mile,” Fisch shouted, “You good with that?”
Players looked at him with what appeared to be a little confusion about the running instructions. To their relief, Fisch’s face went from deadpan to grin, and he said, “I’m just [f-ing] kidding. Three horns!”
The players cheered as the horn sounded three times to signify the end of practice. They’ll be back at it again, 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
