For the first time since Chris Petersen was pacing the Husky Stadium sideline, the feeling around Washington football is that the defense may end up setting the ceiling. That idea skips right past Jimmy Lake’s run and lands squarely on Ryan Walters, who enters his second season as defensive coordinator with the kind of personnel that could turn a good unit into something more dangerous. Mike Vorel of the Seattle Times points to a group that already held up well a year ago, and now has the pieces to take a real step forward.
The headliners on offense will still be Demond Williams and the skill players, but the balance of power in Seattle may hinge on the defense. The linebacker room looks especially lively, while the interior defensive line has more depth and the secondary is packed with playmakers. Put that together, and Washington has a chance to win games in a way that starts on that side of the ball.
There’s intrigue on offense too, and not just from the skill positions. Dawgman has focused on John Mills, the freshman standout who flashed versatility and real quality in 2025.
In year two, the question is how much more he can add to his game. He’ll be operating in a line that looks more experienced and more talented overall, with freshman left tackle Kodi Greene also part of what should be a strong trench group for the Huskies on both sides of the ball.
The linebacker room is the part that really seems to have people buzzing. Jacob Manu and ZRS are being talked about as one of the most entertaining duos on the roster, with the kind of ceiling that invites comparison to some of Washington’s better pairings over the years.
Whether they belong in the same breath as Victor and Bierria or Foster and Butler is up for debate, just like the program’s linebacker Mount Rushmore, which Dawgman also dug into. Dave Hoffman remains a popular name in those discussions, and there’s hope that ZRS will eventually earn a place among the greats too.
Washington also has competition going on away from football this week, with six Huskies set for the World U20 Championships. The runners will take part in events from the 800 meters to the 3,000 meters, and the whole thing will unfold in Eugene, not far from campus in the grand scheme of things.
In Other News...
Washington Still Has One Crucial Camp Battle To Settle Before Apple Cup
Washingtons fall camp opens with the Huskies in decent shape health-wise, and that gives the coaching staff a chance to do what it wants most at this stage: sort out jobs on the field instead of simply patching holes. Most of the roster is available, with running back Jordan Washington and safety C.J. Christian the main players still working through limitations, and the attention quickly shifts to spots where the depth chart still needs clarity. Wide receiver remains one of those areas, and so does nickelback, a position that can shape how the defense handles the pace and spacing of the Apple Cup buildup.
Coaches John Richardson and Kevin Cummings already pointed to the competitive edge in spring, especially in the way cornerbacks and receivers pushed each other through drills. That same tone is likely to carry into camp, where every rep matters and the staff is looking for more than just talent. The Huskies have several battles to sort through before the opener, but the one at nickelback stands out because it can alter how the secondary is pieced together when the season starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Washington No. 32 Carries A Husky Tradition Fans Still Love
For Washington fans, No. 32 has always carried a little extra weight. Hugh McElhenny set the standard with his dazzling college career before becoming a star in the pros, while later Huskies who wore the number kept the lineage going in their own way, including Budda Baker, Richie Chambers and Bo Cornell. Together, they give the jersey a kind of built-in history that still resonates around Montlake.
That tradition is part of what makes these offseason jersey countdowns more than a novelty as the Huskies look ahead to the 2026 opener against Washington State. A number like 32 is a reminder that Washingtons program has long been tied to players who left a mark in college and beyond, with draft status and honors adding to the weight of the jersey. And for fans, the appeal is obvious: every season brings a new name, but the old standard never really goes away. [Read more 🡒]
John Mills Sounds Locked In As Washington Awaits His Next Step
John Mills is heading into his second season as a starting offensive lineman for Washington with the kind of steady confidence the Huskies want up front. He spent part of the offseason mixing workouts with some downtime, including fishing, and he seemed genuinely energized by what is ahead. Mills also offered a personal glimpse into his family ties to the program, noting that his grandfather once played for the Huskies, which gives his own role a little extra meaning as he prepares for another year in the lineup.
Mills also touched on some of the outside chatter that has followed him, including rumors about his weight, while making it clear he has been focused on the work rather than the noise. His summer also took him to Louisiana, adding another layer to an offseason that has been part training, part reset, and part reflection. For Washington, the broader question is how that preparation translates once the season starts and Mills settles into his next step on the line. [Read more 🡒]