Jedd Fisch opened the Spring press conference with energy towards Washington football’s upcoming practice sessions, stating, “A lot of excitement in the air when it comes to our team.” Washington will be in full pads for 12 out of its 15 sessions this Spring, the maximum allowable time during practice this April. There will be 76 scholarship players available to practice for the Washington football team this Spring and 10 or 15 walk-ons. Two fields will be utilized to maximize reps, and according to Fisch, “We’ll look good, and hopefully we’ll have great practices.”
Washington Hosts Spring Press Conference
Spring Injury Updates
Washington will be without wide receiver Denzel Boston and cornerback Ephesians Prysock for the majority of Spring practice. Both veteran players had what Fisch called “clean-up stuff” from last year that they had to get repaired during the offseason. But the head coach said there’s a chance they’ll both return by the very end of April.
On the defensive line, Zach Durfee, Jayvon Parker, and Deuce Davis are also out for Spring practice. They’ll be working on the sidelines, but not participating in any action. We’ll also have to wait for the former four-star and top in-state recruit Zaydrius Rainey-Sale. He is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in high school.
Demond Williams Jr. – Starting Quarterback
At this time last year, Demond Williams Jr. weighed 181 pounds. Fisch said the quarterback’s goal by the first day of practice is to reach 200 pounds. He’s up to 198 as of Monday. Physically, Williams is bigger and stronger entering his second season at Montlake. In addition to the physicality, Williams has taken strides in the film room.
“His amount of time that he’s spent trying to learn not just offensive football, but defensive football, is what I think will help him be able to make the biggest leap,” Fisch said of Williams. With a year under his belt, the young quarterback has spent a considerable amount of time studying defenses. “That I think mentally will give him the greatest advantage from last year to this year.”
Depth Strengthens Development
Upwards of 18 offensive linemen available for Spring means Washington football can run multiple fields and double-up on reps for the running backs and quarterbacks. “The run game and the quarterback development are both critical to having an offensive line that has some experience,” Fisch said. The offensive line includes seniors Geirean Hatchett, Maximus McCree, and Carver Willis. In addition to them, Drew Azzopardi is a fourth-year junior at tackle, and Landen Hatchett is a full-go as the team’s center. “The experience that these guys are bringing, along with the amount of players… it will help Jonah [Coleman] get a better feel for our run game.”
“Dash [Beierly] and Kini [McMillan],” Fisch began. “Those guys will benefit from just being able to work two fields.” Last year, the reps for quarterbacks down the depth chart were limited by the offensive linemen. They had as few as seven scholarship linemen available at times. Now, Fisch says they’ll have seven or eight linemen on one field, and seven or eight linemen on another field. They’ll have two team periods going on at one time during practice. “Our younger players will have a much better chance to develop quicker.”
Offensive Coordinator Jimmie Dougherty
Speed is going to be the theme of this season’s Washington offense. At quarterback and receiver, the Huskies have elite quickness. “Demond is really different than anybody we’ve had because of how fast he is,” offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty began. “He’s fast fast, he’s like a receiver fast.” That speed in the backfield can open up different dimensions for the offense, including its explosiveness.
“We need to be more explosive. We went on too many 12, 13, 14-play drives,” Dougherty said, reflecting on last season. This Spring, he plans to emphasize how the offense can work to get into the end zone in one or two plays by utilizing its speed and explosiveness. “Omari Evans, bringing him in as a transfer, really excited to see what that looks like,” Dougherty added. He’ll have what Dougherty calls “position flexibility.” Evans will line up both out wide and in the slot in the Husky offense.
Dougherty and Fisch also stated their confidence in the Husky running backs. “I think [Coleman] is the best running back in the country,” Dougherty said on Monday. Fisch called Adam Mohammed a “specimen.” He also noted that Jordan Washington is up 20 pounds this offseason. Dougherty added that the coaching staff believes they have one of the best running back rooms in the nation.
Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters
“They call it the Big Ten for a reason,” Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said on Monday. “You gotta be big, especially on the line of scrimmage,” Washington added some considerable size to its interior defensive line this offseason through the transfer portal. That includes Anterio Thompson (from Western Michigan), Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei (from Arizona), and Simote Pepa (from Utah). They will join Jayvon Parker and Logan Sagapolu along the interior. “I’ve been pleased with the size and depth that we have on the interior D-line,” Walters said. “But again,” Walters reiterated, “We haven’t put on pads yet, and haven’t had a live rep yet.”
As far as the schematics, there will be a lot of what we saw Walters utilize very successfully at Illinois in 2022. It includes man coverage on the outside, five-man fronts, and cover-three looks. “Our goal is to create one-on-one matchups across the board. You have to be able to hold up your one-on-one in order for it to work,” Walters said. One of the goals of Walters’ defense is to be multiple. Meaning Washington will show different defensive formations consisting of players lining up in different positions. Versatility in his players is key. Several of the new arrivals and returners possess that trait. We’ll get a look at them beginning on April 1st.
One Player, Each Side
With practice set to begin on Tuesday, April 1st, we’ll leave you with two players whom the Husky coaching staff made a point to mention on Monday (3/31). On offense, it’s wide receiver Rashid Williams. He’ll be a third-year player after redshirting in 2023. “Rashid looks a lot different, looks a lot bigger, a lot stronger,” Fisch said.
On defense, cornerback Caleb Presley is a player to watch who can make a statement for himself. With Prysock out, Presley will have an opportunity for increased reps. “Caleb Presley,” Walters said. “This will be a huge Spring for him.” The Husky defensive coordinator stated that because of the number of guys available this Spring, the number of reps that players like Presley will get will be valuable to development.
Main Image: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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