Former Washington defensive tackle Anterio Thompson heard his name called during the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft this past weekend. He’s now an Atlanta Falcon, joining Husky legend Michael Penix Jr. Time will tell if the Huskies can send another DT to the league next season. For UW to succeed in the Big Ten, stellar defensive line play is mandatory. Ahead of the 2026 campaign, Jedd Fisch and staff rebuilt the majority of the position room.
Returners
Elinneus Davis
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 312 lbs
Class: Junior
Omar Khan:
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 312 lbs
Class: Sophomore
Davis and Khan are the lone returners for the Huskies. Davis enters his fourth season with the Huskies and was a key contributor last season, starting 13 games. He had 29 tackles with .5 sacks in 2025. Khan is entering his third season with the program. The Texan redshirted in 2024, then played in one game last season against UC Davis.
TRANSFERS
Kai McLendon, Mississippi State
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 334 lbs
Class: Sophomore
McLendon is hoping his return to action is a successful one after missing all of last season due to injury. He played in all 12 games in 2024 and started the final five. He logged 30 tackles and .5 sacks as a true freshman for the Bulldogs.
Darin Conley, Ball State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 290 lbs
Class: Junior
Conley started every game for Ball State last season. He finished with 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The season prior he saw action in every game.
DeSean Watts, Sacramento State
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 313 lbs
Class: Junior
Watts was first-team All-Big Sky last season at Sacramento State. He had 36 tackles with two sacks on the year. It was his first season with the Hornets after spending the previous two at Fresno City Junior College.
Takeaway:
Fisch and staff chased experience and landed players that won’t graduate after just one season, which is a huge positive. The downside is that it could lead to freshmen transferring after the upcoming season, but in 2026, a player could play every snap, be a star player, and still want to transfer. No, that isn’t a shot at Demond Williams. The point is that we’re in an era where you have to assume no player is truly happy and will return the following season. No wonder coaches are eying the NFL.
FRESHMEN
Derek Colman-Brusa
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 295 lbs
JD Hill
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 275 lbs
Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 312 lbs
David Schwerzel
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 275 lbs
Ta’a Malu
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 280 lbs
The Huskies added two four-star defensive linemen (247Sports) in Colman-Brusa and Hill. Colman-Brusa was originally an edge rusher but has moved to the interior of the Huskies’ line. Umu-Cais, Schwerzel, and Malu were all three-stars. Colman-Brusa is one of the highlights of the recruiting class. He committed last May, then took visits to UCLA, USC, Ohio State, and Oregon. In the end, he kept his commitment.
