Washington’s countdown to the 2026 football season has reached 66 days, and that number comes with a lineup of Husky names that covers different eras, different roles and different kinds of impact.
The biggest legend in the group is Rick Redman, a player whose place in Washington history is secure. He helped drive the Huskies to the 1964 Rose Bowl, earned consensus All-American honors as both a junior and a senior, and remains the only two-time All-American in program history. Washington later sent him to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
Redman was listed at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, and he did plenty more than just fill a jersey. He played both ways for the Huskies, anchoring the offense as a guard while also leading the team in tackles from his linebacker spot as a junior and senior, averaging more than 12 tackles per game in those seasons.
He also handled punting duties and still sits seventh in program history for punts of 60 yards or longer with eight, while ranking eighth all-time in punt average. The Philadelphia Eagles took him in the 10th round of the 1965 NFL Draft, and the San Diego Chargers picked him in the fifth round of the AFL Draft.
He went on to play nine seasons with the Chargers.
Another major name tied to the number is Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, one of Washington’s most productive pass-rushers. The Hawaii native played four seasons in Seattle from 2006 through 2008 and was one of the few bright spots during a rough stretch for the program. Washington went 14-35 during his time there, but he still set a then-team record with 30 sacks, topping the mark Ron Holmes had held for 35 years at 28.
Te'o-Nesheim’s production went beyond sacks. He finished his Husky career with 194 tackles, 50.5 tackles-for-loss, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 86th overall pick, and he spent one season with Philadelphia before two more with Tampa Bay. After returning to Hawaii to coach high school football, he tragically passed away in late October of 2017 at age 30.
Henry Bainivalu also left a real imprint on the program. A standout out of Skyline High School on the Sammamish Plateau, he arrived as one of the top linemen in the western region and eventually started the final 30 games of his career while appearing in 48 total games.
His decision to return in 2022, after some believed he might step away from football, gave Washington’s offensive line a major boost heading into that season. He helped the Huskies finish 11-2 and beat Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
The current holder of No. 66 is Landen Hatchett, and if his right wrist stays healthy, he has a real shot at earning postseason recognition. In three seasons, he has played in 31 games and made 15 starts. He’s viewed as a leader by teammates and coaches, and if he’s fully healthy, he’ll be an important piece for Washington in 2026.
In Other News...
Washington Just Missed On A Recruit Who Could Have Meant More
Washingtons quarterback recruiting picture got a little clearer in the Class of 2027, even if one of the more intriguing names came off the board elsewhere. Three-star passer Caden Jones, who also brings basketball ability to the table, has made his choice and it comes at a time when the Huskies are trying to keep building momentum on the offensive side of the ball. Washington did land four-star quarterback Blake Roskopf in the same cycle, along with wide receiver Zerek Sidney, but Jones had been a prospect worth watching because of how much he could have meant beyond just one position.
Jones decision matters on the hardwood, too. The Huskies had already extended him a scholarship offer from mens basketball coach Danny Sprinkle, which made him one of those rare two-sport targets who can affect more than one roster at once. His recruitment had the kind of crossover appeal that can make a miss sting a little longer, especially when a player can help shape both the football and basketball future, and Washington now has to move on without that possibility in play. [Read more 🡒]
Huskies Just Took Another Painful Miss In The 2027 Secondary
Washington has done some solid work early in its 2027 class, locking in a pair of offensive tackles in Tye Kennedy and Gecova Doyal. But while the front of the class is taking shape, the secondary is still lagging behind, and that has become a familiar frustration for a program trying to build depth on both lines and in the back end at the same time.
Maurice Williams is the only cornerback committed so far, and the Huskies are still hunting for a second one after missing on a couple of targets who ended up elsewhere in the Pac-12. Washington has a few defensive backs already on board, but the cornerback room remains the spot that needs the most attention as the class keeps coming together. [Read more 🡒]
Illinois Just Made A Season Defining Bet On Its Offense
For Washington, the quarterback conversation is still about Demond Williams Jr. and what comes next after a freshman season that flashed real upside. He had monster performances at times, and the Huskies have every reason to believe the talent is there, but the bigger question remains how that carries over when the games tighten and the pressure rises.
Williams briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to stay with Jedd Fisch, which only sharpened the scrutiny around his role in Seattle. With several other programs around the country making major bets on quarterback changes, Washingtons interest is simpler and more immediate: if Williams takes the next step, the Huskies can keep building around him, but if the same issues show up in the biggest moments, the season could tilt quickly. [Read more 🡒]