Washington’s countdown to the 2026 football season keeps rolling, and at 68 days out, the No. 68 jersey has a pretty strong Husky footprint.
The name that jumps out first is Rick Hayes, the man charged with keeping Sonny Sixkiller upright. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tackle from Chehalis was a three-year letterman for Washington in 1970, 1971 and 1973, locking down the starting left tackle job almost immediately. Hayes also earned All-Coast honors as both a sophomore and a senior.
Another memorable No. 68 was Lynn Madsen, a steady force in the defensive line rotation from 1981 through 1983. He finished with 205 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks, and his biggest statistical season came as a fifth-year senior when he piled up 117 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks while lining up next to future first-round pick Ron Holmes.
Washington also got major production from a player who came to campus with a different profile. He was heavily recruited out of high school as a tight end in San Diego, but chose the Huskies, bulked up and eventually became a two-time All-Pac-10 selection.
Dan Chavira fits the mold of an immediate-impact lineman, too. Out of La Mirada High School in southern California, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard stepped in right away, earned four letters and started three seasons. He helped pave the way for Washington’s Rose Bowl win over Michigan in January of 1978.
Then there was Elliot Silvers, a giant at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds. He started for three seasons and missed only one game over his final three years in Seattle.
Silvers helped Washington go 11-1, win a Rose Bowl and finish third in the AP and Coaches’ polls. Playing left tackle and protecting Marques Tuiasosopo’s blindside, he was named First Team All-Pac-10 as a senior.
Garth Thomas also carved out his place in the program from 1984 to 1986. At 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he was a three-year letterman, a part-time starter as a junior and senior, and part of the two-deep during Washington’s run to an Orange Bowl win over Oklahoma and a final No. 2 ranking.
The latest notable Husky to wear 68 is Ulumoo Ale, whose path has been just as interesting. After a strong run at Fife High School, Ulamoo “MJ” Ale drew plenty of attention from schools, and Washington was the favorite for the nearly 6-foot-6, 345-pound lineman who could move.
He committed before his senior season, redshirted in 2019, then opened the COVID-shortened 2020 season as the starting left guard. He won the same job again after fall camp in 2021, but was later replaced because of uneven play.
When Kalen DeBoer’s staff arrived, they moved him to defense, and he became an important piece up front as Washington went on to two bowl wins over Texas, a conference title, a Sugar Bowl victory and a berth in the National Championship game.
In Other News...
Jedd Fisch Faces A Huge In-State Recruiting Test Again
Washingtons recruiting push is already taking shape around a familiar priority for Jedd Fisch and his staff: keep the best in-state talent home. The Huskies are active on top prospects in the 2027 and 2028 classes, with offensive line targets Gecova Doyal and Tye Kennedy among the names closest to a decision, while DaJohn Yarborough also sits on the board for the coming cycle. Add in the ongoing pursuit of elite 2028 talent, and it is clear Washington is trying to build its next two classes with the same local backbone that has recently helped steady the programs recruiting momentum.
The biggest name to watch may be Tytan McNeal, the top tight end in the 2028 class and the best player in Washington, a profile that makes him more than just another in-state target. The Huskies are making a focused push there as they try to keep that run going with another elite class, and the next few decisions will say plenty about how far that effort can stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Jedd Fisch Sends Clear Message About How Washington's Staff Is Viewed
Jedd Fisch didnt exactly hide his appreciation for the way Washingtons staff was represented in a recent Big Ten positional coach ranking from Matrix Analytical. The Huskies head coach acknowledged the list after multiple assistants landed near the top, including wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings, linebackers coach Brian Odom and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, all of whom were recognized for the work theyve done in a conference that is quick to sort out the best at each position.
Fischs reaction was especially telling on the defensive side, where John Richardson came in ninth and drew a head-scratching response from the coach. It was a reminder that Washington views its staff as more than a collection of promising names, especially with Richardson having already helped develop cornerbacks who reached the next level, and with the Huskies clearly paying attention to how the rest of the Big Ten sees them. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Freshman Defender Already Has Fans Dreaming Bigger For 2026
The early buzz around Big Ten freshmen usually comes with a lot of caveats, but this group has already pushed past the usual wait-and-see stage. Washington tackle Kodi Greene is part of that wave, and his presence among players drawing spring praise says plenty about how quickly some first-year talents are forcing their way into the conversation before the season even gets going.
For the Huskies, Greene is the one to watch most closely because the path for a true freshman offensive lineman is rarely so direct. The bigger picture here is what it means for Washingtons front: if a newcomer is already tracking toward a major role, it changes both the depth chart and the expectations for what the offense can be up front when the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]