With the 2026 season finally upon us, one aspect of Washington's defense will feature a multitude of fresh faces. After seniors Zach Durfee and Anterio Thompson left and were selected in the 2026 NFL draft, the Huskies will replace the veterans with young, blue-chip talent.
That talent comes in the form of two of the highest-rated recruits in the state last year: defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa and edge rusher Ramzak Fruean, who are set to make their first career start in the Apple Cup against Washington State on Sunday, September 6.
Joining the youngsters up front will be a pair of fourth-year Huskies: tackle Elinneus Davis and outside linebacker Jacob Lane. Both Davis and Lane played in all 13 games for defensive coordinator Ryan Walters
last season, and now, the experienced pass rushers can take the freshman duo under their wing.
Behind them, Walters has several new faces expected to make an impact in the rotation. Along the interior are Sacramento State transfer DeSean Watts, Ball State transfer Darin Conley, and Mississippi State transfer Kai McClendon. Although McClendon is recovering from an ACL injury sustained at Mississippi State, he was fully cleared for contact in the final week of fall camp.
The incoming trio has adapted nicely to Walters' system, which finished last year ranked No. 12 in the country in rushing yards allowed per game.
On the outside, there's a bit more familiarity with the scheme, as fifth-year seniors Isaiah Ward and Russell Davis II will back up Lane and Fruean. Although the former Arizona transfers have been productive when on the field, they have struggled with injuries since following Jedd Fisch to Seattle, with Ward missing five games last year and Davis II missing the entire season due to a knee injury.
Additionally, sophomore Devin Hyde and Ohio State transfer Logan George will provide depth along the edge. In his freshman season, Hyde played in all 13 games while totaling three tackles, one tackle for loss, and a sack. As for the former Buckeye, he played just 19 snaps in 2025 while limited by injury, but he led the Big Sky in 2024 with 16.5 tackles for loss.
The Huskies finished No. 84 in total sacks in 2025 with just 24, and with additional depth plus a healthy rotation heading into 2026, Walters' inventive scheming and play-calling will give his squad a chance to increase upon that total this season.
There's no questioning the wide range of experience up front for Walters' unit. It may take some time before a rotation is solidified, especially considering the multitude of players who have battled injuries throughout their careers and may need some time to get comfortable on the field.
However, with two of college football's most highly touted freshmen in the starting lineup, to go along with an influx of experienced transfers, the defensive front now has the talent and experience to piece together a destructive pass rush.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Football's Defensive Line Headlined By Fresh Faces
