As Washington heads into its third fall camp under Jedd Fisch, the Huskies are stepping onto the field with plenty of buzz - and just as many open questions. Fisch met with reporters ahead of Thursday’s opening practice and laid out where things stand, from injuries to position battles to what he picked up watching the Seahawks on Monday.
One of the first things Fisch talked about was that visit to Seattle’s practice. He said he was able to attend and that he’d love to see Washington create that kind of energy around its own workouts. He said he was "jealous" and wants that atmosphere and turnout at Washington's practices.
Health will be a major early storyline. Fisch said Geirean Hatchett, Kai McClendon, CJ Christian and Jordan Washington will all be "rehabbing" on Thursday and Friday, though everyone else should be able to practice in "one way, shape or another". He added that Geirean and Landen are ahead of schedule and will be practicing early, while McClendon is the closest to being ready to join in.
Up front, Fisch is pleased with the size and movement he’s seeing from the offensive line. He described the group as very athletic and said they can all run really well, adding that with their size and flexibility, he feels they are all capable of 5.2 forty times and that will set them up well for NFL workouts with those times. Jake Flores is set to get the first-team center reps for the first couple of days, but Fisch expects Landen and Geirean back on the field quickly.
There’s also a crowded competition at running back. Quaid Carr will open with the first first-team reps, but Jayden Limar is expected to get a lot of those snaps too. Fisch said Tre Cooley and Brian Bonner will also be in the mix.
At receiver, the battle on the outside is wide open. Fisch listed Jordan Clay, Christian Moss, Dezmen Roebuck, Trez Davis, Rashid Williams and Chris Lawson as the six wideouts fighting for those reps. Clay and Moss are mostly outside receivers, while the other four - along with Mason James - will compete for slot and the "Z" receiver spot.
Fisch also had strong praise for defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, calling Washington fortunate to have such a good person in that role. He said Walters’ ability to connect with players matters, and that his understanding of the entire defense - front seven, linebackers and secondary - helps the unit fit together.
Two late enrollees, JD Hill and Rahsjon Duncan, have already caught Fisch’s attention in workouts. Still, he said he’s most eager to see them once camp gets rolling, because that’s when they really start playing football.
Asked what he wants to see improve as a coach, Fisch said he wants a team that can run the ball. But he also laid out the kind of balance he’s chasing: if opponents take away the running back, the quarterback should beat them; if they take away the quarterback, the wide receivers and tight ends should beat them. He said he wants to see the Huskies take things to the next level.
Fisch also pointed to the value Matt Cavanaugh brings behind the scenes, calling him an "elite sounding board" who talks situational football and helps make sure practice sessions are sharp. He added that Cavanaugh is helping JP Losman come along a lot as a coach.
Looking further ahead, Fisch said all of the four-year players who can return in 2027 have said they are definitely open to coming back for a fifth year if that’s the right opportunity for them.
He also said there was plenty to learn from watching the Seahawks. Fisch described the intensity as impressive and said they travel well and play well on the road, with player-friendly but intense practices that help them get better.
To close, Fisch congratulated Elise Woodward on her promotion to being the "Voice of the Huskies" and said he looks forward to his coach's show with her in the future.
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