Washington Huskies Set to Begin Spring Football Tuesday
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University of Washington Huskies sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. exits the tunnel at Husky Stadium in the team’s 2024 season opener versus Weber State. Credit: Demond Williams Jr./Instagram [/caption]
The University of Washington football season begins August 30 when Colorado State comes to town, but the first big steps toward that begin Tuesday with the Huskies’ first day of spring practice under second-year head coach Jedd Fisch.
Though the Dawgs have already put much preparation into the season with individual workouts, Tuesday is the first opportunity for folks to see the 2025 Huskies on the field. Practices are open for fans to attend. The open sessions are currently scheduled to run Tuesdays (3:30 - 6 p.m.), Thursdays (3:30 - 6 p.m.) and Saturdays (11:30 - 2:00) from April 1-26. The schedule shifts to Monday and Wednesday for the final week, with practice times tabbed 3:30 p.m.- 6 p.m. before the “Dawgs After Dark Spring Game” at 6:30 p.m. 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.
Fisch will speak with the local media on Monday for the first time since Feb. 26. Here are some of the storylines heading into spring ball.
The Demond Williams Jr. Show
There is no mystery around who will take the meaningful snaps from center this season. Will Rogers, the starter last season, has run out of eligibility after giving way to Williams Jr. at times last season, and fully in the final two games. The sophomore is not expected to be pushed in 2025, and it would take a monumental disaster or injury for portal addition Kai Horton or true freshman Dash Beierly to see the field during a competitive contest.
Williams finished his true freshman season with 82 completions in 105 attempts and eight touchdown passes to one interception. His most significant playing time came against Louisville in the Sun Bowl (26 for 32, 374 yards, four touchdowns, one pick), the regular season finale against Oregon (17 for 20, 201 yards, TD) and during the second half of a blowout loss at Iowa (12-for-16, 71 yards, TD).
An electric runner, Williams Jr. gained 399 yards on the ground. That was partially offset, though, by 117 yards lost, mostly from 21 sacks. Behind a rickety 2024 offensive line, Williams Jr. was taken down 15 times in his two starts. Getting rid of the ball behind what is expected to be an improved offensive line will be an emphasis for the offensive staff in 2025.
Offensive line
The Huskies begin this season with a new offensive line coach and two transfers who are expected to start. Four of the five members of the freshman class will participate this spring. The Hatchett brothers are expected to start, with Geirean Hatchett returning after a year at Oklahoma. He’s likely to start at a guard spot. His younger brother, Landen Hatchett, will start at center. Both are returning from injury, and their health will dictate the fortunes of the offense.
Carver Willis, a senior transfer from Kansas State, will play at one of the tackle spots. Something to watch this spring will be the development of redshirt junior Maximus McCree, who started at left tackle before suffering a thumb injury. McCree, who played for the first time since 2022, showed promise last season. If he’s able to hold up on the left side, Willis could play on the right. Otherwise, Willis would play on the left side with junior Drew Azzopardi — who struggled at times last season — returning to the right side. Redshirt freshman Paki Finau seems poised to claim a guard spot. Tackle Soane Faasolo (R-So.), guard-center Zachary Henning (R-So.), and guard Champ Tautealea (T-Fr.) could also be factors this season.
Defensive changes
Ryan Walters takes over for Steve Belichick, who took off to North Carolina to join his father’s staff. Walters has typically used a five-man front with three interior players and two rush ends as his base package. Two senior transfers enter to help up front — Anterio Thompson from Western Michigan and Simote Pepa, a 340-pounder from Utah — are expected to anchor that front. Something to watch this spring will be how much, if at all, edge rusher Zach Durfee can participate. A few portal additions and the growth of last year’s young defense will be key for UW’s ability to stay in games against teams like Ohio State and Oregon in 2025.
The shapes and sizes
Welcome to the “best shape of his life” season! Players have spent the past three months of the offseason focused on gaining strength, gaining or losing a few pounds and getting faster. Running back Jonah Coleman recently displayed his progress on social media. Coleman says he’s dropped 14 pounds and 2.6% in body fat, and he certainly looked the part in photos. Player buy-in to offseason strength and conditioning generally has a large impact on how they perform and hold up throughout the season. It will be interesting to see the updated measurables of players this spring and again in the fall.
