Huskies Look to Rebound in 2026 With Strong Core, Big Ten Battles Ahead
After a turbulent stretch that saw a coaching change and a roster overhaul, the Washington Huskies are positioning themselves for a bounce-back season in 2026. With a veteran quarterback, a deep offensive line, and a defense that returns key playmakers, the Huskies have the pieces to compete in a loaded Big Ten conference.
The program hit a low point after playing for the 2023 national championship, when head coach Kalen DeBoer departed for Alabama and many starters moved on to the NFL or the transfer portal. Washington still managed to reach a bowl game in 2024 and posted a 9-4 record last season. Now, with a solid nucleus returning, the Huskies are aiming higher.
Quarterback Demond Williams Leads the Offense
The most critical piece for Washington is junior quarterback Demond Williams, who completed nearly 70 percent of his passes last season for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound signal-caller also added 611 rushing yards and six scores on the ground, making him a dual threat that defensive coordinators will have to game plan around.
Williams will be backed up by Stanford transfer Elijah Brown, who completed 58 percent of his passes last year with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Replacing Key Playmakers at Running Back and Receiver
The Huskies must replace a running back who was selected in the NFL draft. Sophomore Quaid Carr is the leading candidate to take over, though he will split carries with Oregon transfer Jayden Limar. Sophomore Jordan Washington, who averaged 8.6 yards per carry last season, also figures into the rotation.
Washington also needs to fill the void left by its top receiver. Sophomore Dezmen Roebuck caught 42 passes for 560 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while junior Rashid Williams returns after a season-ending injury cut his campaign short. Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss, who earned third-team All-CUSA honors after hauling in 45 catches for 689 yards and two scores, adds depth to the receiving corps.
Junior tight end Decker DeGraaf, who caught 32 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns last season, gives Williams another reliable target. With Moss and a healthy Williams, the Huskies could boast a more potent passing attack than they did a year ago.
Offensive Line Shapes Up as a National Strength
Four starters return on the offensive line, anchored by senior right tackle Drew Azzopardi, a two-year starter. Senior brothers Landen Hatchett at center and Geirean Hatchett at right guard provide experience up the middle, while sophomore left guard John Mills earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors last season.
This unit has the potential to be one of the best offensive lines not just in the Big Ten, but in the entire country. That kind of protection will be vital for Williams to operate effectively and for the running game to find consistency.
Defense Returns Playmakers at Every Level
Washington's defense was solid last season and looks capable of another strong year. Senior defensive end Jacob Lane led the team with four sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, while junior defensive tackle Elinneus Davis added 29 tackles. Freshman defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa is expected to contribute immediately.
At linebacker, Arizona transfer Jacob Manu brings 241 career tackles and will anchor the middle. Senior weakside linebacker Xe'ree Alexander recorded 70 tackles last season, and sophomore Rahshawn Clark will take over the nickel back role full time after posting 21 tackles and two interceptions in a part-time capacity.
The secondary is led by senior safety Alex McLaughlin, who paced the team with 94 tackles and six pass breakups last year. Virginia transfer Emmanuel Karnley Jr. adds experience at cornerback, while sophomores Dylan Robinson and Rylon Dillard-Allen are poised to step into full-time roles after part-time starts.
Halloween Showdown With Nebraska Could Be a Primetime Gem
The Huskies face a tricky scheduling situation on Halloween when they travel to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are planning a blackout game, and television networks will have to decide between that matchup, Ohio State hosting Southern Cal, and Iowa hosting Wisconsin.
It is tough to imagine any network passing on the Buckeyes and Trojans, but the Huskers and Huskies could still land a prime slot depending on how the picks fall. For Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes' game against Wisconsin will also draw significant attention that weekend.
Washington will need to prove it can win the close ones and handle the rigors of the Big Ten schedule. With a strong core in place and a manageable path, the Huskies have a legitimate shot at making noise in 2026.