Who starts for Washington Huskies if Tacario Davis sits vs. Ohio State?

Washington cornerback Tacario Davis breaks up a pass intended for Colorado State wide receiver Jordan Ross during the first quarter Aug. 30 in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)

By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter

In a perfect world for Washington, Tacario Davis plays against No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday and all the questions about his status are for naught. 

Davis, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior cornerback, has been as good as advertised since transferring to Washington from Arizona and reuniting with coach Jedd Fisch. He’s registered one tackle, an interception and a pass breakup during two games against significantly overmatched opponents. 

But Davis, a 2024 second-team All-Big 12 selection, departed Washington’s 70-10 rout against FCS opponent UC Davis with an injury after making a diving interception during the second quarter. Fisch initially said Davis was healthy after the game, but the cornerback was questionable and eventually ruled out of the 117th Apple Cup. And Fisch was similarly evasive about Davis’ availability Monday.

“I don’t know that about (Davis) yet,” Fisch said. “But I do know it will be a great challenge.” 

Washington will already be down at least one starter when it welcomes Ohio State to Husky Stadium for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday. Fisch announced Monday that junior linebacker Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah will miss several weeks after suffering an apparent left knee injury during UW’s Apple Cup victory. 

Adding Davis to the team’s injury report Saturday will be a major blow for a Washington defense tasked with slowing down one of the country’s most dynamic wide receiver groups. 

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“We’ll see where we are with (Davis) as the week progresses,” Fisch said. “Certainly would love to see him make it back, even later in the week. For him, if he can make it back on Saturday at 12 p.m., we’ll be good to go.” 

Davis, of course, brought significant pedigree to Washington. He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2023, and entered his senior season with 76 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and 23 pass deflections. 

During 75 total snaps across two games for the Huskies (3-0), Davis was targeted seven times, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed just one catch for 10 yards. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters admitted Davis’ absence limits some of the plays he can call during any given situation, and said it’s the coaching staff’s job to adapt the defensive scheme to the available personnel.

“It would be foolish to be stubborn and do what I’ve always done because that’s what I want to do,” Walters said. “What I want to do is put our guys in the best position possible to go have success.” 

So what are UW’s options if Davis really can’t go against Ohio State? Fisch said three players are competing for a potential start if the senior cornerback isn’t available: sophomore defensive back Leroy Bryant, redshirt freshman defensive back Rahshawn Clark and freshman cornerback Dylan Robinson. 

Bryant got the start against Washington State. The 6-0, 185-pound sophomore entered fall camp as the team’s third cornerback before sliding over to the nickel position. Bryant was named the team’s starting nickel, in front of Clark, before the team’s season-opening game against Colorado State. 

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He returned to an outside cornerback spot after Davis’ injury against UC Davis. Fisch and Walters named him the starter in Davis’ place during the week leading up to the Apple Cup. 

But Bryant had a difficult outing against Washington State. He made five tackles while playing 41 snaps, both career-high marks, but was constantly targeted by WSU quarterback Zevi Eckhaus. Bryant allowed seven catches on seven targets for 122 receiving yards and a touchdown in coverage. He was removed from the game after surrendering a 48-yard catch to WSU receiver Joshua Meredith. 

But Fisch and Walters were adamant that Bryant’s rough performance in the Apple Cup won’t eliminate him from contention to play, or start, against Ohio State. Fisch said they’ve told Bryant, a third-year sophomore who signed with Kalen DeBoer in 2023, to regain his confidence by reflecting upon his strong performances during spring practices and fall camp when he established himself as the team’s third-best cornerback. 

Walters similarly scoffed upon the idea that one substandard showing represented a player’s entire career. Walters, a former defensive back himself at Colorado, said there were certainly plays Bryant wanted back. 

The defensive coordinator said Bryant still has work to do on his technique — holding leverage, taking proper angles to the ball and finishing routes with his eyes — but also added there were a couple plays where he was supposed to have help from the post safety over the top but didn’t get it. Meredith’s 48-yard catch, in particular, being an example. 

“You can’t just put it to the wayside and have one performance define your career,” Walters said. “That’d be crazy, right? I’m fully anticipating him having a good week of practice and if his number is called Saturday, he’ll perform.” 

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Bryant’s performance, however, opened the door for some competition. Robinson, the 6-3, 205-pound freshman from La Verne, Calif., came in for Bryant and played 28 snaps, according to PFF. He made three tackles, including 0.5 for a loss, didn’t allow a reception on his one target and forced a fumble, punching the ball out of Eckhaus’ hands when the WSU quarterback tried to scramble forward for a few extra yards. 

His lone mistake was lining up offside when WSU was on UW’s goal line, costing UW 1 yard. 

Robinson, a former four-star prospect, according to the 247Sports composite ratings, was the second-highest-rated signee in UW’s 2025 recruiting class. Walters said Robinson is solidly in contention to start if Davis can’t play, though the true freshman is still getting up to speed with UW’s defensive checks because he arrived during the summer. 

Walters noted they’re also working with him to quickly understand how his positioning changes with specific downs and distances, leverage and keeping his eyes disciplined. However, Robinson’s play during the Apple Cup, and particularly his forced fumble, impressed Walters and put him solidly into the competition. 

“Really happy with his intention on punching the ball out to get that last turnover,” Walters said. “That’s something we work on, and that was like a clinic teach tape. Just his technique. Where his eyes were. The elbow above the wrist. Knuckles on the leather. Seeing what you hit.” 

Clark is the wild card of the trio. He played very sparingly at outside cornerback during spring and fall, but has lots of experience there from the high school level. Clark has played 85 snaps during three games this season, according to PFF, with 67 in the slot and just three outside. His eight tackles are tied with Bryant for sixth on the team. 

Washington’s secondary will certainly have its hands full against the Buckeyes (3-0). Ohio State boasts one of the country’s best wide receiver duos in the country in sophomore Jeremiah Smith, the Big Ten’s 2024 wide receiver of the year and freshman of the year, and junior Carnell Tate. Smith currently ranks 11th in the country, averaging 105 yards per game, while Tate is 53rd, averaging 73 yards per game. Walters said Ohio State is “elite” at all their skill positions, befitting a No. 1 team. 

“It’ll be a great challenge,” Fisch said. “They have a fantastic football team.”

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