Jedd Fisch, Huskies Embrace the Doubt as 2026 Season Hype Builds
The Washington Huskies are stepping into the 2026 college football season with a chip on their shoulder - and head coach Jedd Fisch isn’t hiding it. When a recent list of the top 12 football programs in the nation left Washington off the board, Fisch responded with just two words on social media: “Got it.”
That quiet confidence? It’s starting to feel like the Huskies’ new identity.
Despite not cracking that top-12 ranking - which was built on a rolling three-year evaluation of performance, recruiting, resources, and organizational structure - Washington has plenty of reasons to believe they belong in the national conversation. And they’re not just hoping to prove it; they’re built to.
Let’s start with what’s returning. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back after leading the Big Ten in total yards last season (3,676) and accounting for 31 touchdowns - 25 through the air, six on the ground. Williams isn’t just a dual-threat QB; he’s the engine of an offense that quietly turned heads last year, and he’s only getting better.
He’ll be protected by standout offensive lineman John Mills, a 2025 All-Freshman selection, and throwing to rising wideout Dezmen Roebuck, another key returner who figures to be a bigger part of the passing game with some major departures.
Yes, the Huskies lost their top offensive weapons - wide receiver Denzel Boston and running back Jonah Coleman - to the 2026 NFL Draft. But Washington didn’t sit still.
They hit the transfer portal hard and came away with a trio of impact players: Bodpegn Miller (Ohio State) and Christian Moss (Kennesaw State) at receiver, and former Oregon running back Jayden Limar. That’s speed, size, and experience injected directly into the offensive arsenal.
And the reinforcements don’t stop there. The 2026 recruiting class, ranked 12th nationally, is already turning heads.
Five-star offensive lineman Kodi Greene brings elite size and athleticism to the trenches. Four-star wideout Jordan Clay and four-star back Brian Bonner are both expected to see the field early - and not just in mop-up duty.
These guys are ready to contribute right away.
So if you’re wondering why the Huskies are showing up on several preseason top-25 lists - from CBS Sports to ESPN to On3 - this is why. They’re blending proven production with promising young talent, and they’re doing it under a head coach who’s already made a statement in just two seasons at the helm.
Let’s not forget: while Fisch’s tenure only covers the past two seasons (and therefore doesn’t fully meet the three-year window used in the top-12 ranking criteria), the program itself isn’t far removed from a run to the College Football Playoff national championship game under Kalen DeBoer. That DNA is still in the building.
Spring practice is on the horizon, and with it comes a chance for this team to start answering some of the lingering questions. Can the new receivers step up?
Will the young talent on the offensive line hold its own in the trenches? Is this defense ready to match the offense’s firepower?
One thing’s clear: Washington isn’t just building for the future. They’re ready to compete now. And if that top-12 snub lit a fire under them, all the better.
“Got it,” Fisch said.
Message received.