Fall camp is starting to feel real for Washington, and the headline from the Huskies’ first competitive practice was a familiar one: Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei is back.
Uiagalelei earned an extra year of eligibility under the recent “five-in-five” ruling, and his return gives the defensive line a veteran presence right when the Dawgs are ramping things up. Christian Caple noted that Uiagalelei “led UW interior defensive linemen with 492 snaps in 2025, finishing with 20 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss”.
That kind of experience matters, especially for a position group that hasn’t exactly been the flashiest part of the roster in recent years. There’s a real value in having more proven bodies up front, and Uiagalelei’s return changes the conversation there.
Dan Raley also pointed to a strong opening week for the Husky defense.
Caple’s injury and limited-participation update listed several players who were working in some capacity. In addition to Landen and Geirean Hatchett, the players noted as limited were RB Jayden Limar, RB Trey Cooley, RB Ansu Sanoe, TE Kade Eldridge, TE Kekua Aumua, CB Dylan Robinson, EDGE Isaiah Ward, LB Jacob Manu, DL Ta’a Malu, OL Ah Deong Yang, DL Kai McClendon, and S Paul Mencke Jr.
Elsewhere, ESPN put OT Kodi Greene at No. 6 in the Big Ten on its list of “The 51 freshmen poised to make an impact on the 2026 college football season”.
Dawgman also has a podcast breaking down Day 03 of fall practice, and Roman Tomashoff wrote about “A familiar face headlines Washington football’s third fall practice”.
On the wider college sports front, CBS Sports reported that the “Protect College Sports Act fails to reach Senate floor for vote, as lawmakers recess until September”.
And with the Apple Cup now 27 days away, that number gets doubled for a little extra Dawg math: 27 x 2, for Washington’s two national championships, brings it to 54.
In Other News...
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
Washingtons fifth fall camp practice stretched on for about 150 minutes and gave the coaching staff a longer look at where the offense stands after a few days of work. With the session moved to Husky Stadium for fans to watch, the Huskies mixed in plenty of position and team periods, along with red zone work that offered a clearer picture of how the unit is coming together. Several quarterbacks and receivers had encouraging moments, but the day also stood out for how often Demond Williams kept looking Dezmen Roebucks way when the offense needed a play to develop.
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 🡒]