With the new season closing in, Washington is asking its fans to buy in early. The message running through the week is simple: belief first, results later.
There’s also a new wrinkle for Husky Stadium this fall. For the first time, fans will be invited to take part in the familiar “Say Who, Say What” chant before the players run out. It’s being billed as a “custom rendition” of the chant, which appears intended to clean up the traditional version.
On the football front, the Big Ten and SEC have already banned NFL players from returning to play for college teams, and the ACC and Big12 are considering the same move.
Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters also spoke after Tuesday’s practice, and the interview touched on several new faces, including Ramzak Fruean, Kai McClendon, and Jeron Jones. Walters also said the staff is getting ready for Washington State’s starting quarterback, whom UW faced last year when he was at UC Davis.
McClendon drew particular attention. Walters said, “We’re trying to see where he fits in. So he’s got to have a good week of practice and and follow it up with a good week with game prep and we’ll see where he’s at.”
Christian Caple reported that McClendon took part in team periods at practice for the first time at UW and is expected to play a major role on the defensive line. Caple also noted that a couple of other players have returned to practice, and Dan Raley also wrote about McClendon.
Beyond the football chatter, Husky Stadium will have several other changes this season. Those include a new security screening process, concession stands opening one hour before the Dawg Walk, new merchandise at the Husky Team Store, and expanded concession offerings throughout the stadium, including new craft cocktails. For each game, one contest will also give fans the chance to win free Chick-fil-A for the entire stadium.
In Other News...
Washington Fall Camp Enters Crucial Stretch For Unsettled Starting Jobs
With fall camp back underway and the opener just 12 days away, Washington is moving into the part of August where depth charts start to matter a lot more than practice notes. The Huskies have brought back a veteran core from last seasons 9-4 team, including Demond Williams at quarterback and four offensive linemen, but there is still plenty for the staff to sort through as new transfers and incoming recruits try to carve out roles.
The most interesting work now is happening in the unsettled spots, where competition is still very much alive at right guard, inside linebacker, tailback, wide receiver and EDGE. Those are the kinds of jobs that can shape both the lineup and the feel of the season before September even arrives, which is why the next stretch of camp will get close attention from Dawgman.com as Washington keeps evaluating who is ready to step in. [Read more 🡒]
Which Huskies Breakout Could Put Washington On The National Leaderboard
Washingtons offseason buzz isnt just about the obvious names, because this roster has a handful of players who could wind up chasing national statistical categories if everything clicks. The list starts with punter Hunter Green, whose leg already turned heads at San Diego State, and extends to wideout Dezmen Roebuck, quarterback Demond Williams Jr., linebacker Jacob Manu and kicker Tyler Robles, a group that gives the Huskies a little bit of everything when it comes to potential end-of-season headlines.
What makes the exercise interesting is how different the paths are for each player. Green has the kind of track record that can make him a fixture near the top of a national leaderboard, while the skill-position and defensive names would need breakout seasons to get there. Williams, in particular, brings the most intrigue because his ceiling is obvious, but the leap from promising starter to national-category contender is a much steeper one, and Washington will learn early whether that kind of surge is realistic. [Read more 🡒]
Washington Youth Movement Is Bigger Than Huskies Fans May Realize
Washingtons youth movement is already showing up before the season even starts, with a pair of freshmen drawing attention in ways that go beyond the usual spring hype. Kodi Greene arrives with the billing that comes from being a highly ranked five-star offensive tackle, and Jeron Jones has taken a much quieter route, but both have put themselves in position to matter for a Huskies team that is willing to trust talent over experience.
Greene is on track to protect Demond Williams Jr. on the left side, which is a major responsibility for any newcomer, while Jones has earned meaningful work during spring practices and looks set to be part of the defensive mix this fall. The broader message from the coaching staff is clear enough: if a freshman has earned it, age will not stand in the way, and that could make this class more important to Washington than many fans realized when it first signed. [Read more 🡒]