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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Andrew Destin The Associated Press
Washington's football team, led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr., is an unknown commodity entering their third year in the Big Ten under coach Jedd Fisch. The Huskies retained 60 players from last year's roster but lost several key contributors, including leading rusher Jonah Coleman and receiver Denzel Boston. Washington's defense is expected to be a strength, particularly at linebacker with Xe'ree Alexander returning after having 70 tackles last season. Williams Jr.'s performance will be crucial in his second season as starting quarterback.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
No. 17 Washington, a team from Seattle, is an unknown commodity heading into its third season in the Big Ten under coach Jedd Fisch. The Huskies have retained 60 players from last year's roster but lost key players like running back Jonah Coleman, who signed with the NFL, and wide receiver Denzel Boston, who also joined the NFL. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back after a brief departure and will look to improve on his performance in 2025, when he threw three touchdown passes against six interceptions in four losses. The team's defense, led by defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and linebacker Xe'ree Alexander, was strong last season and could be even better this year, especially with the return of many linebackers. The Huskies face tough opponents including Iowa, Penn State, and reigning national champion Indiana in their big games, all of which will be played at home.
Written for “Washington Huskies Basketball” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
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answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
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No political leaning scored for article 1083 · logged 2026-08-25
No. 17 Washington
SEATTLE (AP) — 2025 record: 9-4
Expectations
The Huskies are an unknown commodity going into Jedd Fisch’s third season at the helm, which is also Washington’s third season in the Big Ten.
asserted
which → go → Ten
Most of Washington’s toughest opponents – Iowa, Penn State and reigning national champion Indiana – will travel to Husky Stadium.
asserted
Most → reign → Stadium
How productive Demond Williams Jr. will be in his second season as starting quarterback after nearly leaving the program will be huge; in the Huskies’ four losses last season, he threw three touchdown passes against six interceptions.
asserted
he → start → interceptions
Washington retained 60 players from last year’s roster but leading rusher (Jonah Coleman) and leading receiver (Denzel Boston) are not among them.
asserted
rusher → retain → them
Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters is here, though, after guiding the 15th-best scoring defense in the FBS a year ago.
asserted
Walters → guide → FBS
Fisch will call plays for the offense, too, after last year’s offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty took a job with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
asserted
coordinator → call → Seahawks
Strengths include the linebackers
asserted
Strengths → include → linebackers
The Huskies’ defense was perhaps stingier than expected in 2025, and could fare even better in 2026 thanks to Washington’s linebacker corps.
uncertain
defense → expect → corps
Led by Xe’ree Alexander, who had the second-most tackles on the team with 70, the Huskies have a proven commodity manning the middle.
asserted
Huskies → lead → middle
Jacob Manu, who only appeared in five games last season due to injury, has the potential to be a breakout performer.
asserted
who → appear → potential
Manu was a first-team, All-Pac-12 player in 2023 as he led the conference in tackles with 116.
asserted
he → lead → 116
Sophomore Zaydrius Rainey-Sale logged 21 tackles during an injury-plagued 2025.
asserted
Sale → log → 2025
The Huskies’ defense figures to be a strength altogether, with other key returners like last year’s leading tackler in safety Alex McLaughlin, linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah and sophomore safety Rashawn Clark.
asserted
defense → figure → McLaughlin
Weaknesses at some of the skill positions on offense
The minuses: Watching Coleman, one of the most prolific running backs in program history, leave for the NFL and Adam Mohammed, who totaled 523 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 2025, transfer to California.
asserted
who → watch → California
Jordan Washington, the leading returning rusher among the RBs, remains sidelined after a neck injury in April.
asserted
Washington → lead → April
Still, Washington added some talent to the running back room.
asserted
Washington → add → room
Senior Trey Cooley, who transferred from Troy, and senior Jayden Limar, who ran for 262 yards last season at Oregon, provide needed depth.
asserted
who → transfer → depth
New faces
RB Trey Cooley (transfer from Troy), LT Kodi Greene (incoming freshman), WR Christian Moss (transfer from Kennesaw State), RB Jayden Limar (transfer from Oregon), DT Derek Colman-Brusa (incoming freshman).
Key losses
RB Jonah Coleman (NFL), WR Denzel Boston (NFL), RB Adam Mohammed (transfer to Cal), WR Raiden Vines-Bright (transfer to Arizona State), OL Paki Finau (transfer to BYU).
Biggest games for the Buckeyes
At USC (Oct. 3), vs. Penn State (Nov. 7), vs. Indiana (Nov. 21), at Oregon (Nov. 28).
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asserted
faces → income → season
