The Washington Huskies kept things in light pads for Monday’s practice, and the day settled into a familiar rhythm: a two-hour workout on the east field next to Husky Stadium, with scattered clouds early before the sun broke through by the end.
One of the more notable shifts came along the offensive line. Kolt Dieterich, whom Jedd Fisch said could line up anywhere on the UW front, worked strictly at center.
There was also some encouraging movement with Geirean Hatchett and Landen Hatchett, both of whom were dressed and on the field. They didn’t participate in the competitive periods, but they were lined up behind the plays and getting mental reps.
Jack Shaffer also drew attention after appearing to hurt his left foot midway through practice. He later returned to watch the finish of the workout, though he did so without a shoe on that left foot. Fisch is expected to address his status after Tuesday’s practice.
Most of the team work centered on the red zone, and the defense made scoring difficult. Demond Williams found a couple of his most reliable options, with Dezmen Roebuck and Decker DeGraaf both finishing plays in the end zone.
Justice Williams added another touchdown when he went up and high-pointed a catch over Kayden Greene. Demond Williams also connected with Christian Moss on a roughly 8-yard score.
The session wasn’t clean for Williams, though. Alex McLaughlin picked him off twice.
One came on an overthrow meant for Rashid Williams, and the other came when Williams forced a throw into double coverage in the corner of the end zone. McLaughlin worked his way around from behind and came down with it as he was going out of bounds.
Even with only four practices in the books, the offense is still searching for consistent downfield targets beyond Roebuck and DeGraaf.
With Dylan Robinson out of team periods while doing conditioning, Kayden Greene rotated opposite Emmanuel Karnley alongside Ramonz Adams and Jeron Jones. Other players who were in conditioning during team work included Robinson, Isaiah Ward, Paul Mencke, Kai McClendon, Kekua Aumua, Ansu Sanoe, Jayden Limar, and Trey Cooley.
Limar and Cooley got a couple of reps in a 9-7 drill focused on running between the tackles. But when the backs were used in team periods, it was Quaid Carr, Brian Bonner, and Ryken Moon handling the snaps.
Jacob Manu was also in and out of the session, starting practice, leaving for a while, and then returning in time to join the team periods late.
For the first time this camp, there was also a look at the punt game. Hunter Green and Luke Dunne both showed huge leg strength, though Green was the steadier of the two on the long kicks. Roebuck, Rahshawn Clark, Chris Lawson, Mason James, and Elijah Durr all took turns fielding punts.
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Decker DeGraaf Gives Washington Another Reason To Dream Bigger
Decker DeGraafs profile keeps rising as Washington heads into the season with plenty of external optimism already attached to the program. The third-year tight end has been named to the preseason watchlist for the Mackey Award, the honor given to the best tight end in college football, giving the Huskies another player worth tracking as they try to build on a year that already has them in the national conversation.
Washington was slotted 19th in USA Todays preseason coaches poll and 26th in ESPNs Football Power Index, and the watchlist buzz does not stop with DeGraaf. Linebacker Jacob Manu and center Landen Hatchett also landed on preseason lists for the Campbell Award and Rimington Trophy, a reminder that the Huskies have multiple spots on the roster drawing attention before a snap has been played. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Fall Camp Just Put Two Huskies Storylines Front And Center
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There were also a few notable absences from the team periods even though those players were on the field for practice. Jayden Limar, Trey Cooley and both Hatchett brothers were part of the workout, but their usage in the structured team work leaves a little more to sort through as camp continues. For Washington, those details matter as much as the highlights, especially with fall practices offering the first real clues about who is getting the most trusted reps. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Early Washington Edge Raises The Stakes For A Rivalry Test
Early betting lines are already putting a spotlight on Oregons season finale against Washington, and the first read is clear enough: the Ducks are being treated as the more complete team heading into the rivalry matchup. DraftKings Sportsbooks opening numbers come with the usual caveat that they will move as the season plays out, but they still offer an early snapshot of how the market sees both programs, from Oregons big-play talent to the Huskies need to keep pace in a game that tends to carry more weight than a typical finish to the calendar.
For Washington, the intrigue starts with Demond Williams, who steps into another season with plenty of expectations attached to the quarterback position and the kind of scrutiny that comes with facing Oregon again. The Ducks also bring their own headline names into the picture, including Malik Benson, which only adds to the sense that this late-season meeting could shape more than just bragging rights. Even in August, this one already feels like a game that could tell us a lot about where the Huskies stand in the Big Ten race and how far they still have to go. [Read more 🡒]