While there should be a sense of stability in coach Jedd Fisch’s second year at Washington, I recently realized that the Huskies’ 2025 defense might resemble their 2024 offense.
The most telling statistic of Fisch’s offensive overhaul last season was that none of Washington’s top 15 offensive players, based on snaps played, returned from the 2023 roster. While the defensive turnover isn’t quite as drastic this offseason, it’s still significant.
Of the 10 players who logged the most defensive snaps for UW last season, only one—Ephesians Prysock—returns. Additionally, 10 of the team’s top 12 tacklers are gone, leaving Prysock and Makell Esteen to lead the way. Every player who recorded an interception has also departed. To add to the upheaval, both the defensive play-caller and the safeties coach have moved on. Plus, Washington remains over the 85-scholarship cap Fisch aims to maintain, so more roster attrition is expected during the spring transfer window—or possibly even before or after that period. There’s no telling which other returners could leave before fall camp.
With a new defensive coordinator bringing his own schemes and a roster filled with fresh faces, predicting Washington’s defensive depth chart is as difficult as ever. However, the arrival of numerous experienced transfers—seven or eight of whom could realistically start—provides some clarity, as it’s reasonable to expect many of them will secure starting roles.
Ryan Walters’ defense has been characterized as a 3-4, a 3-3-5, and even a 5-1-5. It’s likely we’ll see a mix of these formations, as Walters tends to deploy five players along the line of scrimmage and frequently utilizes a nickel package in the secondary.
For context, Purdue’s opening depth chart last season featured 12 defensive positions:
- Three defensive linemen weighing 302, 333, and 290 pounds
- Two “rush ends” at 6’6”, 265 pounds and 6’4”, 251 pounds
- Two inside linebackers
- Five defensive backs
I’ll follow that structure for my early projection of Washington’s defensive depth chart (so don’t be surprised to see 12 positions listed). Of course, the position names could change, and I’ll revisit this projection after spring practices. For now, consider this an early outline of what Walters’ first defense might look like at UW.
Defensive line
Projected Starters: Jayvon Parker, Simote Pepa, Anterio Thompson
Rotation: Ta’ita’i Uiagalalei, Elinneus Davis, Logan Sagapolu, Bryce Butler, Omar Khan
Depth: Armon Parker, Caleb Smith, Dominic Macon
Pepa (6’3”, 340 lbs), a transfer from Utah, is the clear frontrunner at nose tackle, provided he can stay healthy. Thompson (6’3”, 293 lbs), who arrived via the transfer portal from Western Michigan, has a similar build to Jayvon Parker (6’3”, 297 lbs), who was showing strong progress before an Achilles injury ended his season at Rutgers. While Parker will likely be limited during spring practices, if he’s fully recovered by August, he could easily reclaim a starting role.
In Walters’ defensive system, Uiagalalei (6’4”, 280 lbs) seems better suited to play inside the offensive tackles rather than as a traditional edge rusher or outside linebacker. However, his versatility allows him to shift along the line when needed. Sagapolu provides another sizeable presence to rotate behind Pepa, while Davis, at 6’2” and 309 lbs, flashed potential during limited action as a redshirt freshman. He should compete with Thompson and Parker for meaningful snaps. Khan (6’3”, 296 lbs) also figures to be in that mix.
The health status of Armon Parker remains a key question. The previous coaching staff viewed him as a breakout candidate, but injuries have sidelined him for three seasons without a single appearance. If he can finally stay healthy, he could significantly bolster the depth. The same goes for Butler and Khan, both of whom could carve out roles with strong performances.
Rush end
Projected Starters: Zach Durfee, Russell Davis II
Rotation: Ta’ita’i Uiagalalei, Isaiah Ward, Deshawn Lynch, Jacob Lane
Depth: Devin Hyde, Victor Sanchez Hernandez
This position group has undergone significant changes due to the transfer portal, with Maurice Heims (Idaho), Jayden Wayne (California), and Lance Holtzclaw (Utah) all departing. The coaching staff is high on Durfee’s star potential and will likely give him every chance to secure a starting role once he’s fully healthy. Beyond that, the competition seems wide open, with former Arizona players potentially dominating the battle for snaps.
Ward led the team in tackles for loss last season and recorded three sacks, making him a strong contender for significant playing time. Davis II, who missed most of the season with an injury, flashed his ability by tallying three sacks in a single game before another injury cut his year short. Lane had a standout tackle for loss against Michigan but was otherwise quiet, while Lynch’s size gives him the versatility to shift inside if needed, though he lined up exclusively on the edge last season.
At Purdue, Walters’ defense featured four rush ends who played over 62 snaps. Notably, Will Heldt—now at Clemson—was second on the team in defensive snaps with 726, while Shitta Sillah logged 358 snaps as the next most active rush end. Although Washington’s roster still uses the “edge” designation for this position, that terminology could change under the new staff.
Inside linebacker
Projected Starters: Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah, Xe’ree Alexander
Rotation: Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Deven Bryant
Depth: Anthony Ward, Hayden Moore, Jonathan Epperson, Donovan Robinson
TBD: Jacob Manu
This linebacker group will have a completely new look compared to 2024, when Alphonzo Tuputala, Carson Bruener, Khmori House, and Drew Fowler dominated the snap counts. Al-Uqdah, who was one of Washington State’s standout defenders last season, is the leading candidate to anchor this unit in 2025. Alexander, a productive transfer from UCF, finished second on his team with 68 tackles and added 6.0 tackles for loss, making him a strong contender for a starting role.
Rainey-Sale, a four-star recruit from Bethel High, has a clear path to immediate playing time as a true freshman. He’s expected to compete with Bryant and Ward for rotational snaps. Moore remains a bit of an unknown, as there’s limited information on his readiness to crack the depth chart.
The wild card here is Jacob Manu, a former first-team All-Pac-12 linebacker from Arizona. His timeline for return is uncertain after suffering an ACL tear in October. If he can get healthy, Manu would likely have a major impact on this position group.
Cornerback
Projected Starters: Ephesians Prysock, Tacario Davis
Backups: Leroy Bryant, Dylan Robinson
Depth: Caleb Presley, Elias Johnson, D’Aryhian Clemons, Ramonz Adams Jr.
Washington’s cornerback room experienced its share of offseason drama. Thaddeus Dixon, who received an extra year of eligibility through the NCAA’s JUCO waiver, opted to transfer to North Carolina instead of potentially transitioning to nickel for the Huskies. However, UW landed a key addition in Tacario Davis, the former Arizona standout and former teammate of Prysock. Many expected Davis to transfer to Washington last offseason, and now the Huskies have secured him. Both Davis and Prysock are 6’4” with extensive starting experience, though each is looking to bounce back from a subpar 2024 season. Davis was previously recognized as a second-team All-Pac-12 selection by the Associated Press in 2023, highlighting his potential.
Bryant, an intriguing member of the 2023 recruiting class, served as UW’s fourth cornerback last season and will compete for a larger role. Robinson, a four-star signee from the 2025 class, stands at 6’3” and 195 pounds, showcasing versatility after being recruited to play multiple positions on both offense and defense. Presley, another 2023 signee, remains somewhat of an unknown due to limited game action so far, but he’ll be part of the depth competition alongside Johnson, Clemons, and Adams Jr.
Safety
Projected Starters:
- Safeties: Alex McLaughlin, Makell Esteen
- Nickel: Dyson McCutcheon
Rotation:
- Safeties: CJ Christian, Vincent Holmes
- Nickel: Dylan Robinson
Depth (Safeties): Rahim Wright, Rahshawn Clark, Paul Mencke Jr., Rylon Dillard-Allen
McLaughlin brings valuable experience playing in the box, as reflected in his impressive stats from last season at Northern Arizona, where he recorded 7.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Esteen, a sixth-year senior, has versatility with time spent both in the box and at free safety, providing leadership and flexibility. Christian, an FIU transfer, offers similar positional versatility and should see significant playing time alongside McLaughlin and Esteen. Holmes is currently positioned as the fourth safety, though that could shift depending on spring performance. The rest of the safety room is filled with young talent—either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen—making spring practices critical to see who might emerge, including Dillard-Allen, who’s already on campus.
At nickel, Washington would’ve preferred to keep Jordan Shaw, who logged most of the snaps at the position in 2024, or Thaddeus Dixon, but both transferred (to Texas A&M and UNC, respectively). McCutcheon steps in with some prior nickel experience, though Ryan Walters may have a different vision for this role. Robinson, a versatile four-star 2025 signee, seems like a potential fit despite initially being pegged as a cornerback. His athleticism makes him an intriguing option for the nickel spot, which appears to be the most open competition in the secondary. Others—potentially even some of the younger safeties—could factor into the mix depending on how Walters assesses the roster throughout spring camp.
Specialists
Kicker: Grady Gross
Punter: Dusty Zimmer
Long Snapper: Ryan Kean (Cameron Warchuck)
Punt Returner: Denzel Boston
Kick Returner: Jordan Washington
Grady Gross will aim to rebound from a somewhat underwhelming 2024 campaign, in which he made 18 of 26 field goals. However, he finished strong, converting 8 of his last 9 attempts, including a standout onside kick in the Sun Bowl. Zimmer, a third-year sophomore from Adelaide, Australia, arrives as the likely replacement for Jack McCallister at punter. Kean transferred from Utah Tech, seemingly to compete with Warchuck for the long snapper role.
Boston served as UW’s primary punt returner last season, so he’s expected to retain that role. At kick returner, Jonah Coleman is the only returner who had a kickoff return last season, but it was just one attempt in the Sun Bowl. Given that Washington might be the fastest player on the team and with his offensive role potentially limited due to the return of tailbacks Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed, kick return could be a prime opportunity to showcase his speed. Another potential option could be receiver Kevin Green Jr., who might also factor into both punt and kick return duties. This will be a position to keep an eye on throughout spring practices.
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