1 of 5 | Cornerbacks coach John Richardson works with Dylan Robinson (6) during spring drills Tuesday. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
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By
Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
It’s easy to forget these are Dylan Robinson’s first spring practices.
A year ago — while a majority of UW’s roster was on campus participating in spring practices — Robinson was more than 900 miles away at home in La Verne, Calif. The 6-foot-3 cornerback, one of the highest-rated players in UW’s 2025 recruiting class, didn’t enroll early.
He joined the Huskies during the summer, quickly establishing himself as UW’s third-choice cornerback. Robinson has spent his first spring as an unquestioned starter. In large part because he already has the experience to back up the expectations.
“Getting in that much, it really helped me be way more comfortable this year,” Robinson said. “If I had no playing time going into this season, it would be my first couple games that I’d have to get my feet wet. But now that I’ve got my feet wet, I’m really looking to make an impact this year.”
Robinson and the Huskies completed their tenth practice of the spring on an overcast Tuesday afternoon on UW’s East Practice Field. UW’s secondary has needed all of Robinson’s experience this spring.
Sophomore nickel Rahshawn Clark underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason. Head coach Jedd Fisch initially ruled him out of spring practices, but the Seattle native has been a limited participant wearing a gold noncontact jersey during recent practices.
Sophomore safety Rylon Dillard-Allen and junior cornerback Emmanuel Karnley, a Virginia transfer, were both limited on Tuesday, too, making Robinson the second-most experienced member of UW’s top secondary group behind only senior safety Alex McLaughlin.
Redshirt freshman nickel Ramonz Adams Jr., sophomore safety Rahim Wright II and sophomore cornerback Elias Johnson got opportunities in place of Clark, Dillard-Allen and Karnley, respectively. The trio combined to play 39 defensive snaps for the Huskies in 2025.
Robinson, for his part, played 371 defensive snaps as a freshman. He made five starts, totaled 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, a pass deflection, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson allowed 18 receptions on 26 targets for 251 yards receiving and a touchdown.
He allowed 13.9 yards receiving per catch, missed just three tackles, committed two penalties and registered six stops, or tackles that constituted a failure for the opposing offense. PFF graded Robinson as the team’s best run defender in 2025.
“Through the roof,” secondary coach John Richardson said about Robinson’s potential. “There is no ceiling. We will see how far he can go.”
Robinson’s contributions in 2025 were even more impressive considering his late arrival on campus. The sophomore cornerback said it was a unique experience, adapting to the college football practice schedule and weightlifting routine while also trying to establish himself as the team’s best option behind senior duo Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis.
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“I wanted to be the guy that was going to be the next up,” he said. “There was a lot to take in.”
Robinson was supposed to spend a majority of his freshman season behind Prysock and Davis, learning from two veteran cornerbacks with similar skill sets. But of course, the best-laid football plans often go astray.
Davis suffered a rib injury while making an interception during UW’s second game of the season, causing him to miss three games. So against Ohio State, the top-ranked team at the time, Fisch and Richardson gave Robinson his first career start.
Going against one of the nation’s top wide receiver duos — Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate — Robinson allowed just three catches for 42 yards and made three tackles.
“Everyone’s dream is to play in the biggest game,” Robinson said. “Ohio State was number one in the nation at the time, so I was just really blessed and grateful to be in those shoes.
Robinson started one more game before Davis’ return, chipping in another two tackles during UW’s comeback win against Maryland. And after a hamstring injury prematurely ended Davis’ season, Robinson started UW’s final three games of the regular season.
Entering 2026, Robinson said his main goal was to improve his foot speed. He said watching Prysock and Davis — cornerbacks with similar large physical frames — helped him understand the value of quickness and the importance of knowing what his body can and can’t do at his size.
“If I learned from a shorter corner, we don’t have the same advantages,” Robinson said. “Just know where you can win.”
Robinson credited Richardson and Kirkland Parker, a quality control coach at UW who departed during the offseason to become the safeties coach at North Texas, for helping him make strides in his physical preparation for spring practices.
He’s added some weight, too. Robinson is now listed at 210 pounds after weighing in at 195 pounds during his freshman season.But Robinson said most of his growth during the offseason has been mental, rather than physical. Having Karnley, who has played in 25 games across three seasons at Arizona and Virginia, has also helped Robinson improve his knowledge of the game.
His best teacher, however, remains the experience he acquired during his baptism by fire a season ago. He’s seen firsthand how college receivers run different routes. Knows how college cornerbacks need to prepare to perform on the highest level.
He’s more comfortable in coordinator Ryan Walters’ defense, even as the defensive coordinator continues to add tweaks and adjustments to the unit that enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign. More aware of down and distance, personnel and leverage.
All tools which can make him a premier cornerback in 2026.
“Coming into this spring, I’m a lot more comfortable recognizing those things,” he said, “and using them to my advantage.”
Extra points
- The Huskies were not in full pads on Tuesday. However, junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. managed the best throw of the limited scrimmage period, connecting with sophomore wide receiver Justice Williams for a 25-yard touchdown along the right sideline during the top offense’s final drive. Sophomore Elias Johnson was in coverage.
- Junior wideout Rashid Williams was responsible for the practice’s only turnover, losing the football after it appeared to be knocked out by senior linebacker Xe’ree Alexander.
- Practice ended humorously when Fisch faked the team into thinking they were going to run a mile before the end of practice. The UW coach started explaining a complicated route for the players to follow out of the stadium before abruptly stating he was joking and practice was actually complete. UW players celebrated, mobbing Fisch in the middle of the field before doing their final breakdown.
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes.com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.