The expectation around the Washington Huskies program heading into the 2026 season is that they will have one of the best defenses not just in the Big Ten, but in the nation.
Throughout the first two practices, defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' unit has impressed. On Monday morning, it was senior safety Alex McLaughlin who stole the show with a pair of interceptions of junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr., the first of which came on an overthrown pass over the middle of the field intended for wide receiver Rashid Williams.
McLaughlin's second pick came on a pass thrown into double coverage, also intended for Williams on a slot fade route, eerily similar to a throw that quarterback Dash Beierly forced into the same look much closer to the goal
line on Sunday, which turned into an interception for freshman cornerback Jeron Jones.
While Washington's secondary appears ripe with talent behind McLaughlin and its experienced starting group, everything for Walters' unit will start along the defensive line, where the re-addition of fifth-year Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei will be beneficial for the team's depth. The Huskies are hoping to rely on young talent as part of the rotation in the middle, with freshmen Derek Colman-Brusa and TI Umu-Cais, who have both displayed a lot of growth through the first handful of practices.
"Just learning the scheme," defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi said of the improvement he's seen from the pair of freshmen. "Increasing their football IQ, and then obviously, again, bigger, faster, and stronger in the weight room, so just overall in general."
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Senior defensive tackle Elinneus Davis was also quick to point out Colman-Brusa's improved football IQ after a summer of watching film together.
"His football IQ, that's for sure; I'm very proud of him for that," Davis said on Monday. "Obviously, we worked this whole offseason just watching so much film, and it shows. Now, he's able to process blocks a lot faster...there's always a few things to clean up, but I feel like he's honestly really growing; it's super good to see."
Here are some other observations from Monday's practice.
Fall camp notebook
- Monday marked the first time that offensive lineman Geirean Hatchett has put pads on this fall. Although he didn't participate in drills and mainly worked with the group rehabbing from their injuries, the seventh-year will bring additional depth to Washington's offensive line.
- Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss hauled in a 5-yard touchdown from Williams during a red zone period, while Elijah Brown threw a pair of scores to wide receivers Chris Lawson and Justice Williams.
- Justice Williams' score, a 7-yarder, was one of the more impressive plays of the day. The junior rose up above everyone else on the field, including sophomore defensive back Kayden Greene in coverage, to high point the ball and reel it in.
- Freshman left tackle Kodi Greene also had one of his most notable reps of practice against his classmate, outside linebacker Ramzak Fruean, pancaking the pass rusher and allowing Demond Williams Jr. plenty of time to find a wide-open tight end in Decker DeGraaf in the back of the end zone.
- Special teams coordinator Chris Petrilli worked with several punt returners during one period of practice, with wide receivers Dezmen Roebuck, Mason James, and Chris Lawson, and cornerbacks Rahshawn Clark and Elijah Durr fielding the kicks.
- The battle for the second-string job behind Clark in the nickel has been one of the most heated so far, as both Ramonz Adams and Jeron Jones have put together strong performances through the first two padded practices.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Ryan Walters' defense puts together a strong day at fall practice
