Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. avoids the rush of Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher during the second quarter Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Seattle. 231765 (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)
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By
Andy Yamashita
Seattle Times staff reporter
After a chaotic few weeks, Washington’s roster is taking shape.
The Huskies retained their highly sought-after quarterback. The offensive line returns several starters, while unproven-but-intriguing talent will have an opportunity to step into larger roles at the skill positions.
Coach Jedd Fisch has already laid out the team’s goals for 2026 — playoffs or bust.
So with less than 100 days until spring practices begin in April and just days after the transfer portal closed, here’s a way-too-early depth chart for the 2026 Huskies starting with the offense:
Quarterback
Demond Williams Jr., jr., 5-11, 190 lbs.Treston “Kini” McMillan, RS fr., 6-0, 210 lbs. OR
Dash Beierly, RS fr., 6-1, 215 lbs.
Analysis: For about a month after his offensive MVP performance at the LA Bowl, Demond Williams Jr. being Washington’s starting quarterback was the most obvious guarantee on UW’s roster.
Then, for about 48 hours, it was very much not a guarantee.
But now, with Williams’ brief transfer portal sojourn reconciled by his return to Seattle after Washington threatened legal action, the Chandler, Ariz., native will resume his post under center for the 2026 season.
Portal entrance aside, Williams’ sophomore season showed solid progression. He completed 69.5% of his 354 attempts for 3,065 yards passing and 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions while adding 611 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
Now, Williams must prove he can take the next step.
Three of his four least-productive performances as a passer came against teams currently in the College Football Playoff rankings. For the Huskies to truly be considered playoff contenders in 2026, Williams must perform at his best against the best teams on UW’s schedule.
As for the backup roles, Fisch said Wednesday that UW will consider adding a veteran quarterback to replace Kai Horton. However, Fisch added that redshirt freshmen Dash Beierly and Treston “Kini” McMillan have earned a chance to compete for the job.
Running back
Brian Bonner, fr., 6-1, 185 lbs.Jayden Limar, sr., 5-11, 200 lbs. OR
Jordan Washington, so., 5-11, 185 lbs.
Analysis: Before the LA Bowl, UW’s plan at running back also seemed fairly straightforward. Adam Mohammed was productive in a more involved role throughout the 2025 season and seemed ready to step into the featured-back role vacated by Jonah Coleman.
But Mohammed entered the transfer portal. And, unlike Williams, he did not return, landing at California.
Mohammed’s departure left UW with some interesting options. Former Lake Stevens High standout Jayden Limar has the most experience, with 95 career carries across three seasons at Oregon. Rising third-year sophomore Jordan Washington thrived in a change-of-pace role when available.
Incoming freshman Brian Bonner, however, might offer the most intriguing option. The 6-1, 185-pound tailback was considered the No. 5 running back in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, after rushing for 3,043 yards and 41 touchdowns during three seasons at Valencia High in Southern California.
UW has already proved a willingness to play freshman running backs. If Bonner, who enrolled at Washington for winter quarter, can add some weight during the offseason, he will certainly be considered for a starting role.
Wide receiver
Christian Moss, sr., 6-3, 199 lbs. ORJordan Clay, fr., 6-3, 200 lbs. OR
Justice Williams, so., 6-4, 212 lbs.
***
Dezmen Roebuck, so., 5-11, 180 lbs.
Mason James, fr., 5-11, 175 lbs. OR
Trez Davis, fr., 6-0, 180 lbs.
***
Rashid Williams, jr., 6-1, 190 lbs. OR
Chris Lawson, so., 6-1, 185 lbs.
Analysis: Washington has to replace two starting wide receivers after Denzel Boston announced intentions to enter the NFL draft and Raiden Vines-Bright transferred to Arizona State.
True sophomore Dezmen Roebuck, who had a breakout freshman season in 2025 with 42 catches for 560 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, is UW’s leading returning receiver and is a lock to start. The only question is where.
Roebuck emerged at the Z-receiver spot after Rashid Williams’ collarbone injury against FCS UC Davis. And it makes sense to let him continue in a role where he thrived in 2025.
But Rashid Williams will return as a fourth-year junior in 2026, and initially won the starting spot over Roebuck during fall camp. Moving the Marana, Ariz., native to the slot might allow Rashid Williams to reintegrate himself at a position where he’s familiar while putting Roebuck in the position where Giles Jackson and Jacob Cowing had lots of success in Fisch’s offense.
Replacing Boston seems like a three-way battle between Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss, sophomore Justice Williams and incoming freshman Jordan Clay. Moss has the most experience after totaling 45 catches for 689 yards receiving in 2025. Justice Williams had a strong fall camp before he was ruled out for the season because of a toe injury. He previously missed the entire 2024 season injured, too, but has the largest frame of the trio.
Clay, a former Baylor commit who flipped to UW shortly before the early signing period, enjoyed a highly productive senior season at Madison High in San Antonio. He made 55 catches for 1,300 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns, and earned the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl offensive player of the year.
Then there are the wild cards. Chris Lawson looked like the best true freshman wideout during spring practices in 2024, but injuries hampered him during fall camp. Additionally, composite four-star prospects Mason James and Trez Davis may factor into the slot-receiver competition, particularly if Roebuck stays outside.
Tight End
Decker DeGraaf, jr., 6-4, 245 lbs.Kade Eldridge, so., 6-4, 250 lbs.
Analysis: Decker DeGraaf will return for his third season after a mixed sophomore campaign. He continued to grow as a receiver in 2025, totaling 32 catches for 360 yards, both career-best marks.
But DeGraaf struggled as a blocker. Pro Football Focus graded him as UW’s third-worst blocker among players who appeared for at least 17 run-blocking snaps. He also committed six penalties, the most of any offensive player in 2025.
Eldridge, a USC transfer, carved out an intriguing role as the team’s third tight end and primary fullback in 2025. He was graded as UW’s third-best run blocker by PFF. However, he suffered a Lisfranc injury on Oct. 18, and Fisch said his status for spring practices remains uncertain.Left tackle
Kodi Greene, fr., 6-6, 320 lbs. ORKolt Dieterich, so., 6-6, 310 lbs.
Left guard
John Mills, so., 6-6, 325 lbs.Jack Shaffer, RS fr., 6-6, 330 lbs.
Center
Landen Hatchett, jr., 6-3, 315 lbs.Lowen Colman-Brusa, RS fr., 6-4, 315 lbs.
Right guard
Champ Taulealea, RS fr., 6-5, 330 lbs.Geirean Hatchett, sr., 6-4, 310 lbs.
Right tackle
Drew Azzopardi, sr., 6-7, 315 lbs.Soane Faasolo, jr., 6-8, 330 lbs.
Analysis: Washington will return four of its offensive starters from 2025. Assuming no injuries, right tackle Drew Azzopardi, center Landen Hatchett and left guard John Mills are locks to start again in 2026.
Right guard Geirean Hatchett, however, will likely have to compete with redshirt freshman Champ Taulealea. The Ferndale native received a medical waiver to return for a seventh season in 2026, but may be under threat after Taulealea’s emergence late in the 2025 season.
Replacing Carver Willis at left tackle, additionally, will be an intriguing competition. Likely between incoming freshman Kodi Greene and Sam Houston transfer Kolt Dieterich.
Greene, a composite five-star offensive lineman from Renton who played at Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei High, has already been talked about as a potential starter at left tackle by Fisch, but the UW coach said they brought in Dieterich to compete with Greene and make sure he earns the job.
The Huskies will also have to build up their depth again after Zach Henning, Paki Finau and Maximus McCree transferred. All three played important reserve roles in 2025, leaving UW with some interesting but inexperienced talent behind the starters.
Andy Yamashita: ayamashita@seattletimes.com. Andy Yamashita is a sports reporter at The Seattle Times, primarily covering Washington Huskies football.
