Who’s Gone
Jonah Coleman has been the keystone of the UW working again room for the final two seasons. While nagging accidents prevented him from persistently hitting fifth gear, he nonetheless rushed for 1811 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 25 TDs over his two years in Seattle. He additionally proved himself an adept pass-catcher, with 54 receptions and two extra TDs in his tenure. Coleman is projected as a mid-round NFL draft choose and his commencement will go away a giant alternative atop the Huskies’ depth chart.
The presumption amongst most UW followers was that Adam Mohammed would slot neatly into Coleman’s place in that room. Mohammed switched his dedication from Arizona to Washington when Jedd Fisch took the Huskies job and earned taking part in time in yr one. He was a staple of the UW assault final yr with 523 yards on 4.9 per carry. Instead, Mohammed jumped into the switch portal and landed at Cal. It was in all probability essentially the most shocking switch exit for the Dawgs within the cycle (much less shocking than that portal entry, however we all know how that ended). While Coleman’s commencement left a chance for one more RB to step up, the mixed departures of Coleman and Mohammed go away a gap on the depth chart and a giant query for the Huskies to reply.
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Who’s Back
The headliner of UW’s returning RBs and the presumptive favourite to steer the staff in carries is Jordan Washington. Like Mohammed, Washington flipped to the Dawgs to comply with Jedd Fisch. Unlike Mohammed, he was not able to play instantly as a result of he got here to campus weighing solely about 165 kilos. Washington won’t ever be an influence again, however he has placed on about 15-20 kilos to assist maintain up in move safety and in opposition to larger hits. Moreover, Washington’s explosiveness greater than makes up for his lack of energy. In his restricted motion, we’ve got seen that Washington is a risk to attain each time he touches the ball. He averaged 8.6 yards per keep on 27 makes an attempt final yr. His highlight-reel potential will go away Fisch salivating at artistic methods to get him in area. Washington took a giant hit early in spring practices and was taken off the sector in an ambulance. He has since been dominated out for the remainder of spring, however all indications are that he will likely be prepared for the season within the fall.
Other than Washington, the Dawgs carry again Quaid Carr and Julian McMahan. Carr noticed restricted motion final yr, and was a bit below the radar as a prospect, however stories are that he has persistently impressed the teaching workers. He doesn’t have Washington’s nuclear large play potential, however he’s very quick and dynamic in his personal proper. If Washington misses time, he could possibly be an vital a part of the depth chart. McMahan additionally joined UW as a part of the ‘24 recruiting class. He’s a giant again who might be useful in short-yardage conditions. Lastly, redshirt freshman D’Aryhian Clemons transformed from CB and has been taking part in RB within the spring, a place the place he excelled in highschool.
Who’s New
The Husky coaches weren’t shy about filling these gaps and so they did it in a method that impressively balances expertise, talent, and participant sort. The Dawgs introduced in two transfers and two freshmen, with one of many latter wanting like a possible future star.
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With Mohammed out the door, UW prioritized bringing in a RB who might share the lead again function with Washington via the switch portal. Jayden Limar, a local of Lake Stevens, left Oregon to return again come to the Dawgs. Limar had restricted alternatives in Oregon’s crowded RB room over his three years in Eugene, however flashed the talent that made him a blue chip prospect final season. He put up 262 yards on 46 carries and located the endzone thrice. He noticed his most in depth motion in September, the place he totaled 125 yards on 23 carries in consecutive video games in opposition to Northwestern and Oregon St. At 205 kilos, Limar has good dimension for the place and a confirmed potential to catch passes. He has imaginative and prescient and pace, however lacks the slippery elusiveness that might make him a celebrity. Even so, Limar seems to be set to affix Washington on the high of the working again depth chart. We haven’t but seen Limar go well with up since he’s out for the spring whereas recuperate from an ankle damage.
The Dawgs additionally added Troy switch Trey Cooley late within the switch course of. Cooley initially signed at Louisville earlier than transferring to Georgia Tech and subsequently Troy. He missed all of final season with an damage and won’t arrive in Seattle till June, however he’s one other participant who offers depth and expertise.
The Dawgs additionally hit it large in RB recruiting this cycle. They added bruising energy runner Ansu Sanoe early within the course of. Listed at 241 lbs, Sanu by himself would have been a viable RB class. However, the Dawgs additionally added Brian Bonner, who has the potential to affix the lineage of nice Husky RBs if every part breaks proper. Rated because the #7 RB within the nation, Bonner picked UW over UCLA and Notre Dame. He might want to add weight earlier than he turns into a lead again, however Bonner has all of the instruments to be a star every-down again.
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Who Will Play
As you possibly can in all probability inform from this abstract, well being will likely be a significant figuring out consider who strains up behind Demond Williams most frequently in ‘26. Washington and Limar appear to have the skills to be the top two running backs with a more even time share than what we have seen with Coleman leading the room. However, both are injured and there’s an actual risk that neither is able to play on day one. If not Washington, Carr might supply a few of the large play risk that the offense needs. If Limar misses time, Cooley could be the pure substitute. Due to stylistic similarities, there could be much less cause to play each Limar and Cooley or each Washington and Carr. The coaches could wish to combine and match extra complementary items. Even after these 4, UW could wish to discover reps for Bonner. Without Coleman and Mohammed, there are definitely questions in regards to the RB depth chart. However, the teaching workers has ample choices from which to attract to reply these questions.