The Washington Huskies' defensive line underwent a massive facelift ahead of the 2026 season after losing ten players from the unit to graduation, the NFL draft, and the transfer portal.
However, Jedd Fisch still expressed considerable confidence in his defensive front, even as defensive coordinator Ryan Walters attempts to replicate the nation's No. 12 run defense from the 2025 campaign, when the Huskies allowed 100.08 yards per game.
"Night and day in a lot of ways," Fisch told Huskies Wire of Washington's defensive tackles during Big Ten Media Days on Thursday. "When you look at Elinneus (Davis), Derek Colman-Brusa, (Darin) Conley, (Desean) Watts, TI (Umu-Cais), Kai (McClendon), that's six guys that are interior D-linemen that have shown an ability to play at a very high level."
At outside linebacker, after injuries have ravaged the unit over Fisch's first two years at the helm, the depth also looks considerably different. The Huskies are looking to improve on a group that recorded just 24 sacks in 2025, which ranked No. 12 in the Big Ten, and have an experienced unit leading the way.
"(Russell) Davis is back, Isaiah Ward is back. Then you look at Jacob Lane on the other side, then Logan George; they've shown the defensive line in its totality is a different type of group than we've had in the five years that I've been a head coach. I think the ability for us to go in and out with players and keep them fresh in a long season, as well as the difference makers that I think we have there, is exciting."
#unit #season #players
However, Jedd Fisch still expressed considerable confidence in his defensive front, even as defensive coordinator Ryan Walters attempts to replicate the nation's No. 12 run defense from the 2025 campaign, when the Huskies allowed 100.08 yards per game.
"Night and day in a lot of ways," Fisch told Huskies Wire of Washington's defensive tackles during Big Ten Media Days on Thursday. "When you look at Elinneus (Davis), Derek Colman-Brusa, (Darin) Conley, (Desean) Watts, TI (Umu-Cais), Kai (McClendon), that's six guys that are interior D-linemen that have shown an ability to play at a very high level."
At outside linebacker, after injuries have ravaged the unit over Fisch's first two years at the helm, the depth also looks considerably different. The Huskies are looking to improve on a group that recorded just 24 sacks in 2025, which ranked No. 12 in the Big Ten, and have an experienced unit leading the way.
"(Russell) Davis is back, Isaiah Ward is back. Then you look at Jacob Lane on the other side, then Logan George; they've shown the defensive line in its totality is a different type of group than we've had in the five years that I've been a head coach. I think the ability for us to go in and out with players and keep them fresh in a long season, as well as the difference makers that I think we have there, is exciting."
#unit #season #players
3 months ago
