Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei is back with the Washington Huskies, and he showed up in a big way on Sunday.
The fifth-year defensive lineman rejoined the team for practice after being granted another year of eligibility in a legal decision, and he was on the field at East Field next to Husky Stadium when Washington put on pads for the first time. Uiagalelei, wearing No. 46, worked with the starters and picked up right where he left off after playing in all 13 games last season.
Uiagalelei’s path back to Montlake had looked finished once Washington wrapped up its year with a 38-10 win over Boise State in the Los Angeles Bowl. He had already used up his four years of eligibility, then moved on to the pro path by taking part in UW’s pro day on March 16. But the NFL door never opened - no combine invite, no draft selection, no undrafted free agent deal, and no rookie minicamp offer.
Then came the ruling on July 31. A U.S. District court judge in Colorado granted a class-wide injunction that gave players who enrolled in the 2022-23 academic season a fifth year of eligibility under the NCAA’s new rules.
That decision put Uiagalelei back in play, and Washington wasted no time getting him back into the mix. He had been around Jedd Fisch throughout his college career, starting at Arizona in 2022 when Fisch was there and then following him to Washington ahead of the 2025 season.
Sunday’s practice also came with a jersey change. Uiagalelei wore No. 46 instead of No. 11, which is now assigned to Class of 2026 commitment Ramzak Fruean.
At 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Uiagalelei brings size and experience to the interior of Washington’s defensive line. With him back in the rotation, the Huskies add a proven piece to a group that should benefit from having another veteran body available.
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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 🡒]