> ## 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. # Huskies Ready to Pad Up and Find Out ‘Who the Real Dawgs Are’ - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/washington-huskies-spring-practice-day-2/ - Published: 2026-04-03T06:28:56.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:15:20.000Z - Author: Aaron Coe - Tags: News, Analysis, Huskies Football, Spring Football, Jedd Fisch, Ryan Walters, Derek Colman-Brusa, Kodi Greene, Xe'ree Alexander, Ramzak Freuan, Dezmen Roebuck, Jordan Clay \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2989"\] ![ Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Ryan Walters plays catch with a fellow assistant coach as players go through warm-ups on the east practice field at the University of Washington in Seattle on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/jo1a4733-jpeg-format-original.jpg) Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Ryan Walters plays catch with a fellow assistant coach as players go through warm-ups on the east practice field at the University of Washington in Seattle on Thursday, April 2, 2026\. Credit: Aaron Coe/Emerald City Spectrum \[/caption\] SEATTLE, Wash. — The first two days of Huskies spring football show a team that looks ready to take another step or two forward this season. They look big, fast, lively and engaged. Practices move quickly, with virtually no wasted time as players move from drill to drill, station to station. Washington’s second-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters wants to see more, however. He’ll get that opportunity on Saturday, when UW players put on pads for the first time this spring and pop each other during live sessions. “This is fake football out here right now. We’re out here in shorts and T-shirts. That’s not how the game is played. We’ll find out who the real dawgs are.” Walters began last spring in a new city, with a new team that included a bunch of new defensive players. This year, it all seems familiar. Many key players returned, and know the defense. Sure, there’s a mostly re-worked defensive line and some freshmen working into the mix. But it’s a much different place than a year ago. “The familiarity with the guys that are coming back — we’re way ahead of what we were this time last year,” Walters said after Thursday’s practice. “We’re able to add a couple of wrinkles earlier, try some new things. The guys are flying around, communicating on a high level, it's just fun to watch and fun to get back to football.” Indeed, Walters and the defensive staff tinkered a lot on Thursday, working in different players with the first and second units. True freshman Derek Colman-Brusa continued to work with the first team defensive line alongside junior Elinneus Davis. Another freshman worked with the second team next to Ball State junior transfer Darin Conley and earned praise from Walters. Tufanua Ioanatana Umu-Cais checks in at about 330 pounds, Walters said. “Any time you’ve got young guys that fit the mold from a Big Ten standpoint that early, it bodes well,” Walters said. ### Getting More Linebackers on the Field Walters came to UW with a 5-1-5 base defense, which included five defensive linemen, one linebacker and five defensive backs. That changed during the course of the 2025 season as he took advantage of a talented linebacker room. The Huskies showed some three linebacker looks on Thursday as Xe’ree Alexander, Jacob Manu and Zaydrius Rainey-Sale took the field together at times. Rainey-Sale served as the big nickel in the alignment. “We talk about it all the time,” Alexander said. “We’re going to elevate more plays with all three of us in.” Ramzak Freuan, a true freshman who was a linebacker at Bethel High School, is working with the edges this spring. Alexander, an Auburn, Washington native, played both inside and outside last year after transferring from Central Florida. Both he and Walters believe several of UW’s linebackers have the ability to play both spots. “I love to spend some time with the d-ends and edge rushers to work on my pass rush and elevate that game, too,” Alexander said. “I want to put the film out there to show I can play in the box, but also I can play on the edge, too, and rush the quarterback.” ### Receiver Battles Heating Up While Dezmen Roebuck appears to be a lock as the starting slot receiver after catching 42 passes for 560 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, the other two positions appear to be up for grabs. Roebuck again looked impressive on Thursday, getting up several times in team sessions and catching everything thrown his way throughout practice. It was Rashid Williams who made the play of the day, a one-handed touchdown reception of Demond William Jr.’s pass from about the 10-yard line. That seemed to thrill 2025 UW receiving star Denzel Boston, who watched practice as he waits for next month’s NFL draft. Williams, limited to two games last season because of injuries, seems to have the inside track at the “Z” position. True freshman Jordan Clay, Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss and sophomore Chris Lawson appear locked in a battle for Boston’s vacated “X” position. Lawson could also push Williams on the other side. Clay did limp off the field with a trainer during practice. He returned to the sideline, but it was unclear whether or not he’ll be limited for any amount of time. ### Jordan Washington, Quaid Carr Get Bulk of RB Carries Early in spring ball, it’s been Jordan Washington followed by Quaid Carr receiving the first-team running back reps, taking advantage of Oregon Transfer Jayden Limar and Troy transfer Trey Cooley recovering from offseason surgeries. Brian Bonner Jr., a four-star true freshman recruit, has worked with the second and third teams, along with Julian McMahan and Ansu Sanoe. McMahan caught a wide-open TD pass from apparent backup quarterback Kini McMillan toward the end of practice. Washington, the sophomore speedster, appears to be at the front of the line so far this spring. ### Offensive Line Seems Set If two practices are any indication, it appears true freshman Kodi Greene will start at left tackle. From left to right, it was Greene, John Mills, Geirean Hatchett, Champ Taulealea and Drew Azzopardi for the most part. Jake Flores took some first-team reps at center, and had some trouble with snapping on the windy, drizzly day on the east practice field. Landen Hatchett, the 2025 starting center, remains limited after offseason hand surgery. Assuming he retains that position, that would put his older brother, seventh-year senior Geirean Hatchett, in a battle with Taulealea at the position the elder Hatchett started last season. Kolt Dieterich, a junior transfer from Sam Houston State, will return to practice at some point in the spring to push Greene as well.