2 months ago
After watching the entirety of spring practice and the majority of fall camp from the sidelines while recovering from a torn ACL, defensive tackle Kai McClendon says he's back at 100 percent and ready to make an impact for the Washington Huskies this fall.
The former Mississippi State starter, who played in 12 games for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2024, didn't need long to make an impact after he was cleared to return to action. On one of his first reps in a team period during Tuesday's practice, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound junior batted a Demond Williams Jr. pass into the air, which turned into an interception for linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah.
Moving forward, the Huskies are hoping he can develop into a disruptive piece in the middle of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme, which was one of the biggest factors in him choosing Jedd Fisch's program out of the transfer portal.
"They told me they like my game and my physicality and my experience," McClendon said on Friday. "They just want me to keep going and keep elevating off that so I can be a good part of Washington."
A big part of McClendon continuing to elevate his game comes down to defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi's plan for his development, and the Mississippi State transfer has placed all his faith in his position coach.
#fall #impact
The former Mississippi State starter, who played in 12 games for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2024, didn't need long to make an impact after he was cleared to return to action. On one of his first reps in a team period during Tuesday's practice, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound junior batted a Demond Williams Jr. pass into the air, which turned into an interception for linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah.
Moving forward, the Huskies are hoping he can develop into a disruptive piece in the middle of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme, which was one of the biggest factors in him choosing Jedd Fisch's program out of the transfer portal.
"They told me they like my game and my physicality and my experience," McClendon said on Friday. "They just want me to keep going and keep elevating off that so I can be a good part of Washington."
A big part of McClendon continuing to elevate his game comes down to defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi's plan for his development, and the Mississippi State transfer has placed all his faith in his position coach.
#fall #impact
2 months ago
With the Washington Huskies set to kick off the 2026 season in less than two weeks against the Washington State Cougars in the Apple Cup, Jedd Fisch's team got an influx of reinforcements back during Tuesday's practice.
As ******* ps and bruises accrue over the course of fall camp, Fisch's coaching staff has been a big proponent of playing things safely. Cornerback Dylan Robinson, linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, and offensive lineman Champ Taulealea have missed time over the last few weeks, and all three made their return to the team portions of practice, while defensive tackle Kai McClendon took his first reps with the Huskies after spending the entirety of spring and most of the fall recovering from a torn ACL.
"Right now we're just trying to see where he fits in," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of the Mississippi State transfer on Tuesday. "We've just got to put together a good week of practice, and follow that up with a good week of game prep, and we'll see where he's at."
If his first practice is any indicator of that, the third-year player could be a strong addition to the interior. He batted a Demond Williams Jr. pass into the air during an early team period, which turned into the day's only turnover, a diving interception for linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah.
"Obviously his size and his experience," defensive tackle Elinneus Davis said of what McClendon brings to the interior. "He comes from an SEC school, but his style, he brings everything you want in a nose tackle, (3-technique), so we're trying to get him in the scheme and understand the blocking schemes, and that'll help him go a lot longer."
#practice #defensive #huskies #fall
As ******* ps and bruises accrue over the course of fall camp, Fisch's coaching staff has been a big proponent of playing things safely. Cornerback Dylan Robinson, linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, and offensive lineman Champ Taulealea have missed time over the last few weeks, and all three made their return to the team portions of practice, while defensive tackle Kai McClendon took his first reps with the Huskies after spending the entirety of spring and most of the fall recovering from a torn ACL.
"Right now we're just trying to see where he fits in," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of the Mississippi State transfer on Tuesday. "We've just got to put together a good week of practice, and follow that up with a good week of game prep, and we'll see where he's at."
If his first practice is any indicator of that, the third-year player could be a strong addition to the interior. He batted a Demond Williams Jr. pass into the air during an early team period, which turned into the day's only turnover, a diving interception for linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah.
"Obviously his size and his experience," defensive tackle Elinneus Davis said of what McClendon brings to the interior. "He comes from an SEC school, but his style, he brings everything you want in a nose tackle, (3-technique), so we're trying to get him in the scheme and understand the blocking schemes, and that'll help him go a lot longer."
#practice #defensive #huskies #fall
2 months ago
For the third consecutive year, a Washington Huskies linebacker has been recognized on the preseason Butkus Award watch list ahead of the 2026 college football season.
Xe'ree Alexander, a senior who joined Jedd Fisch's program last offseason through the transfer portal after one season at Central Florida, was one of 51 players on the annual watch list after fellow senior Buddah Al-Uqdah found himself on the same list in 2025.
The younger brother of former Husky wide receiver Lonyatta "Junior" Alexander made an immediate impact in his first season on Montlake last fall. An Auburn, Washington native, Alexander made five starts and played in all 13 games for first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, and finished second on the team in tackles (70) and tackles for loss (5), both of which are career highs.
Dating back to 2024 with former UW linebacker Carson Bruener, Alexander and Al-Uqdah are the latest preseason honorees while ex-Husky standout Edefuan Ulofoshio played his way into being one of five finalists in 2023 despite not making the preseason watch list.
"I think—not only for X—but I think that speaks to the program and how he runs it," inside linebackers coach Brian Odom said before the start of fall camp when asked about the talented fourth-year linebacker electing to stay with the team despite having other veteran options around him.
#alexander #list #preseason #uqdah
Xe'ree Alexander, a senior who joined Jedd Fisch's program last offseason through the transfer portal after one season at Central Florida, was one of 51 players on the annual watch list after fellow senior Buddah Al-Uqdah found himself on the same list in 2025.
The younger brother of former Husky wide receiver Lonyatta "Junior" Alexander made an immediate impact in his first season on Montlake last fall. An Auburn, Washington native, Alexander made five starts and played in all 13 games for first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, and finished second on the team in tackles (70) and tackles for loss (5), both of which are career highs.
Dating back to 2024 with former UW linebacker Carson Bruener, Alexander and Al-Uqdah are the latest preseason honorees while ex-Husky standout Edefuan Ulofoshio played his way into being one of five finalists in 2023 despite not making the preseason watch list.
"I think—not only for X—but I think that speaks to the program and how he runs it," inside linebackers coach Brian Odom said before the start of fall camp when asked about the talented fourth-year linebacker electing to stay with the team despite having other veteran options around him.
#alexander #list #preseason #uqdah
2 months ago
One way or another, Washington Huskies second-year linebacker Donovan Robinson is going to play his way into a role this upcoming fall if he keeps up performing the same way he did on day six of training camp on Thursday.
Robinson, a 6-foot-2 and 225-pound redshirt freshman, had a pass breakup and made his presence felt throughout the day. The Chicago, Illinois native didn't appear in any games last season and comes into 2026 as one of several options as a backup linebacker behind the veteran trio of Jacob Manu, Xe'ree Alexander, and Buddah Al-Uqdah, and sophomore Zaydrius Rainey-Sale.
At Loyola Academy, the former three-star defensive back turned linebacker made himself available as a dual kick and punt returner in addition to being a standout defender. Robinson recorded 71 total tackles, 9 pass breakups, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and a sack over 26 games between his junior and senior years.
Huskies inside linebackers coach Brian Odom noted before camp that his unit has plenty of experience between its trio of seniors, in addition to Rainey-Sale, who combined to have 11 starts last season, while Al-Uqdah and Manu missed 17 games between them, but are fully healthy going into 2026.
Although it will be hard to crack the two-deep out of camp, Odom did note that there is a plan to use several combinations to keep players fresh and healthy throughout the Big Ten slate, which could pave the way for Robinson to find a role.
#robinson #linebacker #camp #odom
Robinson, a 6-foot-2 and 225-pound redshirt freshman, had a pass breakup and made his presence felt throughout the day. The Chicago, Illinois native didn't appear in any games last season and comes into 2026 as one of several options as a backup linebacker behind the veteran trio of Jacob Manu, Xe'ree Alexander, and Buddah Al-Uqdah, and sophomore Zaydrius Rainey-Sale.
At Loyola Academy, the former three-star defensive back turned linebacker made himself available as a dual kick and punt returner in addition to being a standout defender. Robinson recorded 71 total tackles, 9 pass breakups, 4 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and a sack over 26 games between his junior and senior years.
Huskies inside linebackers coach Brian Odom noted before camp that his unit has plenty of experience between its trio of seniors, in addition to Rainey-Sale, who combined to have 11 starts last season, while Al-Uqdah and Manu missed 17 games between them, but are fully healthy going into 2026.
Although it will be hard to crack the two-deep out of camp, Odom did note that there is a plan to use several combinations to keep players fresh and healthy throughout the Big Ten slate, which could pave the way for Robinson to find a role.
#robinson #linebacker #camp #odom
