One of the clearest reasons the UW offense has sputtered through the first half of the season has been right in the trenches. The line has been young, thin, and under pressure from the start: a true freshman at left tackle, a true sophomore at left guard, a red-shirt freshman at right guard, and a converted tackle making his first start at center.
That reality has only sharpened the question of why the Huskies were so willing to let Zach Hennig and Paki Finau leave through the transfer portal. Christian Caple took a look at UW’s outgoing transfers for On Montlake, and both departures have been noticeable elsewhere. Hennig has settled in as a solid starter for Arizona in the Big 12, while Finau has been excellent at left tackle for #2 BYU.
The Huskies’ struggles have also put them on the wrong end of the early season conversation in the Big Ten. Jon Wilner laid out his midseason awards, and UW landed among the disappointments after starting the year at preseason #17 and now fighting to stay on track for bowl eligibility. The conference picture isn’t all gloom for the Pac-12 newcomers, though, with UCLA surging into the top 10.
There has been at least one steady source of optimism on the roster: the defense. It hasn’t held up quite as well in conference play, but Alex McLaughlin has stood out as a real asset in the secondary. Dawgman’s midseason awards reflected that view, as McLaughlin was a unanimous pick for best defensive player.
And there was good news on the golf course, too. In Monterey, CA, the Husky Men’s Golf team won the Saint Mary’s Invitational with a 16-under total, beating #21 Santa Clara by eight strokes. Hamish Farquharson claimed the individual title, becoming the first freshman to do it since 2018.
In Other News...
Washington Basketball Has A Growing Problem Fans Can't Ignore
Washingtons mens basketball program is trying to make its footing in the Big Ten while operating with less financial muscle than most of the leagues heavyweights. The Huskies are in the conferences lowest spending tier for the sport, a reality that has filtered into recruiting and retention as the school works to keep pace with programs that can simply offer more.
The effects have already shown up in the transfer market, where Washington has had to watch some priority targets land elsewhere after weighing bigger opportunities. There is reason for optimism in the next wave of recruiting, but the larger question remains whether the Huskies can close the gap quickly enough to turn promise into real competitiveness. [Read more 🡒]
Washingtons Rebuilt Roster Comes With One Immediate Concern
Washingtons roster makeover for the 2026-27 season is already taking shape, and the Huskies have leaned heavily on the transfer portal to do it. Among the newcomers expected to matter right away are fifth-year wing LeJuan Watts from Texas Tech, fourth-year point guard Ryan Beasley from San Francisco and eighth-year wing Steele Venters from Gonzaga, giving the staff a mix of experience and established production as it tries to fast-track a rebuilt lineup.
The early concern, though, sits in the backcourt with Beasley, who is working his way back from a concussion and has been hoping to return for an upcoming exhibition game. For a team trying to get new pieces connected quickly, any delay in getting its point guard on the floor matters, especially with so many of the Huskies new minutes tied to players who are still learning each others tendencies and timing. [Read more 🡒]
Jasir Rencher's Comeback Could Mean More For Washington Than Fans Realize
Jasir Renchers return has become one of the more encouraging developments around Washington basketball this fall, both for what he brings on the floor and for what it says about how far he has come since last season. The second-year forward was kept out for most of the year after an abnormal heartbeat led to surgery and the implantation of a defibrillator, a serious setback that changed the course of his first season with the Huskies.
Now back in practice and already seeing game action in an exhibition setting, Rencher is giving Washington another option as it sorts out its frontcourt rotation. His health remains closely monitored by the medical and coaching staffs, but his presence alone is a lift for a team that has reason to feel better about its depth and its outlook heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]