Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch gets some dap from Leroy Bryant during practice Friday afternoon in Seattle, Washington, on August 8, 2025 (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times)
By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter
Jedd Fisch wasn’t very fond of two-deep depth charts a year ago.
UW’s depth chart remained virtually unchanged week to week during the 2024 season. Changes enforced by season-ending injury were occasionally made, but Fisch repeatedly told media members not to take them too seriously.
However, the first depth chart of the season, which Washington and Fisch revealed Monday, does illuminate how the team might line up for its season-opening game against Colorado State at 8 p.m. Saturday at Husky Stadium. And which positions Fisch and his staff are still making decisions about before the Huskies run out of the tunnel.
“We had a great camp,” Fisch said. “Our guys practiced extremely well. Practiced extremely hard. And are certainly looking forward to an opportunity to play against a different opponent other than themselves.”
Generally, there weren’t many surprises about who will start the season-opening game for the Huskies. Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr., junior wide receiver Denzel Boston and senior running back Jonah Coleman were locks to be named starters along with tight ends Decker DeGraaf and Quentin Moore.
The Huskies also settled four of the five starting offensive line positions. Sixth-year senior Carver Willis, the Kansas State transfer, will start a left tackle while junior Drew Azzopardi retained his spot at right tackle. Junior Landen Hatchett, named a captain Aug. 23, will start at center while his brother, sixth-year offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett, gets the first nod at right guard.
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Fisch also settled the two other wide receiver spots Monday. Sophomore Rashid Williams earned one after a strong spring and fall camp, and Fisch announced true freshman Raiden Vines-Bright earned the starting slot receiver role. Vines-Bright was listed as one of two options there along with senior Omari Evans, the Penn State transfer, on the depth chart.
UW wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright (7) runs with the ball during a team practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Seattle. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
UW wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright (7) runs with the ball during a team practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Seattle. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)
“I think (Vines-Bright) deserves it based on how he practiced,” Fisch said. “How he prepared. The plays that he made when the opportunity presented itself. … As practices have continued, he’s continued to show up.”
The only spot on the offense that remains undetermined is at left guard, where true freshman John Mills and redshirt freshman Paki Finau continued their position battle from fall camp. Fisch said both will play against Colorado State.
Mills and Vines-Bright were two of six true freshmen who made UW’s two-deep depth chart. Offensive lineman Champ Taulealea was named the team’s second-team right guard and Dezmen Roebuck was selected as the backup behind Rashid Williams. Cornerback Dylan Robinson and edge rusher Devin Hyde were both part of the defensive depth chart.
Defensively, Fisch announced senior cornerbacks Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prysock will be joined in the secondary by NAU transfer safety Alex McLaughlin and sixth-year captain Makell Esteen. Sophomore Leroy Bryant beat redshirt freshman Rahshawn Clark for the starting nickel role, though Fisch once again said both Bryant and Clark will play Saturday.
“Leroy continued to make plays on the ball, which was a big thing,” Fisch said. “He was in the right position at the right time and competed really hard every chance he had.”
Fisch also chose junior Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah, the Washington State transfer, and Deven Bryant as the team’s starting linebackers. They’ll play behind a starting defensive line that will include junior edge rusher Jacob Lane, senior defensive tackles Anterio Thompson and Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei and either junior edge rusher Isaiah Ward or fifth-year edge rusher Zach Durfee.
All five of those players, along with sophomore defensive tackle Elinneus Davis, junior defensive tackle Bryce Butler, sixth-year nose tackle Logan Sagapolu, sixth-year defensive lineman Deshawn Lynch, fifth-year nose tackle Simote Pepa and Hyde will likely contribute to UW’s defensive line rotation.
Fisch said the team is generally healthy entering the first game week, with the exception of the few players who are recovering from season-ending injuries a season ago like senior linebacker Jacob Manu (knee) and junior defensive tackle Jayvon Parker (Achilles tendon). Fisch added he expects almost the entire team to be available, though certain players may be held out for precautionary reasons.
“We’re a healthy football team,” Fisch said, “which is really one of — if not the most — important things you can say at this time of year.”
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.
