Jedd Fisch says it’s next-man-up for Huskies after Al-Uqdah’s injury

Washington linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah (3) celebrates having wrapped up Colorado State running back Jalen Dupree in the first quarter, Aug. 30, 2025 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

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By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter

Jedd Fisch doesn’t know what Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah’s long-term future holds. The University of Washington coach was still waiting to get the final results from some tests before determining how much time the junior linebacker will miss. 

But Fisch was certain about one part of Al-Uqdah’s status after the linebacker exited the Apple Cup with an apparent left knee injury. 

The Washington State transfer, who started each of Washington’s first three games, will not be available to play against No. 1 Ohio State. 

“I don’t expect him to play for the next few weeks here, at least,” Fisch said. 

Al-Uqdah’s absence is a tough blow for UW, which will face its first major test this weekend when Washington welcomes Ohio State to Husky Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. And it leaves the undefeated Huskies with a massive question mark in the heart of their defense. 

“It’s unfortunate that it happened,” Fisch said. “But in the game of football, you’re always going to count on injuries that are going to occur. And you have to be able to have a next-man-up mentality.” 

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Al-Uqdah had been an unquestioned starter since arriving at Washington during the winter transfer portal period. The 6-foot, 237-pound linebacker took all the first-team defense repetitions during spring practices and fall camp.

Al-Uqdah translated that trust into a productive start to his UW career, making 15 tackles including 1.5 for a loss and half of a sack during the first three games of the season. 

But Al-Uqdah’s season was put in jeopardy with 12:09 remaining in the Apple Cup, when Washington State left guard Jonny Lester — listed at 306 pounds — fell on Al-Uqdah’s left leg, awkwardly twisting it. The UW linebacker, who also wears the team’s defensive helmet communication system, was down for several minutes before leaving the field with trainers and was seen on crutches after the game.

“(Al-Uqdah) was playing at a very high level,” Fisch said. 

So what are Washington’s options to replace Al-Uqdah? Fisch said he’s confident in the depth the Huskies built at the position during the past offseason. Washington added three linebackers from the transfer portal before the 2025 campaign: Al-Uqdah, former Arizona captain Jacob Manu and Xe’ree Alexander, who spent the past season at UCF. 

Sophomore linebacker Deven Bryant, who started each of the three games alongside Al-Uqdah, will potentially take on a larger role. The 5-11, 230-pound linebacker jointly leads the Huskies with 16 tackles this season and caused the deflection that led to safety Alex McLaughlin’s first interception against Washington State. 

Alexander, the 6-2, 242-pound junior linebacker from Auburn, replaced Al-Uqdah for the final quarter of the Apple Cup. 

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The former Kennedy Catholic linebacker played 19 snaps against Washington State, according to Pro Football Focus. He made two tackles, giving him three total for the season, and registered a pressure. Alexander was targeted once in coverage, allowing a catch for 11 yards.

Fisch said Alexander did a good job stepping up on short notice, and said he looks good physically after adding nearly 20 pounds to his listed weight before the season. 

Alexander brings significantly more experience than the average reserve linebacker. He made 68 tackles, second on the team, including six for a loss and two pass breakups during his lone season with the Knights. Alexander also registered a 17-tackle game for UCF against West Virginia in 2024. As a freshman at FCS Idaho, Alexander made 75 tackles, four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. 

“He’s done it before,” Fisch said. “He’s played in big games. The reason why we brought (Alexander) in here was to compete for being a starting linebacker. So he’ll be that this week.” 

But Alexander isn’t the team’s only option to replace Al-Uqdah. 

Manu, an All-Pac-12 first-team linebacker with the Wildcats in 2023, spent most of the fall and spring rehabbing after suffering a season-ending ACL injury during an Arizona game against Colorado on Oct. 19, 2024. 

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Fisch teased Manu’s approaching return before the Apple Cup. And though the 5-11, 225-pound linebacker was eventually ruled out before the game, Manu may be available against Ohio State, Fisch said Monday. The UW coach also said he doesn’t envision Manu requiring much of a build up to full repetitions, despite never playing in new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters’ scheme and the long layoff. 

“When Jacob’s cleared to play,” Fisch said, “he’ll play.” 

Manu’s not the only potential reinforcement returning from injury. Freshman linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, a former four-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite rankings and the consensus top player in UW’s 2025 signing class, is also recovering from an ACL injury suffered near the end of his high school season. 

Fisch has consistently said Rainey-Sale will return around a month after Manu because of the timing of the two injuries, and once again hinted that the former Bethel High standout is getting closer to a possible return.

Extra points

• Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was named co-Big Ten offensive player of the week Monday after he accumulated 386 total yards — 298 passing, 88 rushing — and five total touchdowns in the Apple Cup, sharing the award with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It’s the second weekly conference honor of Williams’ career, he was previously named Big Ten freshman of the week after UW’s 31-19 win against UCLA, and UW’s third weekly honor of the season. 
• Fisch announced senior cornerback Tacario Davis is questionable again after being held out during the Apple Cup. Davis appeared to suffer an upper-body injury while making an interception during UW’s 70-10 win against UC Davis. Fisch named sophomore defensive back Leroy Bryant, redshirt freshman defensive back Rahshawn Clark and true freshman cornerback Dylan Robinson as candidates to start against Ohio State if Davis isn’t available. 
• Washington’s game against Maryland on Oct. 4 will kickoff at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. 
• Fisch announced McLaughlin and junior wide receiver Denzel Boston were named the program’s Dawgs of the Week. Al-Uqdah, Williams, Robinson, athletic director Pat Chun, secondary coach John Richardson, senior running back Jonah Coleman, senior kicker Grady Gross and senior wide receiver Omari Evans received game balls.

Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes .com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.