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USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the Washington Huskies heading into 2025
Following a run to the national championship game in 2023, Washington lost coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, saw most of its top players move on to the NFL and transitioned to the Big Ten Conference. With many moving pieces, the Huskies dropped to 6-7 last season, an expected regression in their first year led by coach Jedd Fisch. Washington is expected to see improvement this season, with a win total set at 7.5 and a more manageable schedule. Here's a breakdown of the Huskies heading into 2025. 2024 in review Washington sustained its first major set back with a loss to Washington State in the Apple Cup, finishing the nonconference slate 2-1. The Huskies earned impressive wins over Michigan and USC, but also picked up an unexpected loss to Rutgers and lost by multiple scores to Oregon, Penn State and Indiana. The season was capped off with a loss to Louisville in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Poor offensive line play dragged down a unit with skill position talent, while the defense faced it's share of struggles. Head coach profile Fisch struggled in his first year with the Huskies but previously led a major turnaround at Arizona, guiding the Wildcats from 1-11 in his first season to 10-3 two years later. He finished with a 16-21 record in three seasons in Tucson. Prior to head coaching roles, Fisch has lots of experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Top offensive players Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. impressed after taking over the starting role from Will Rogers, and he's earning some offseason hype heading into the season. Williams has explosive play ability and is dangerous with his legs, but if the offensive line play doesn't improve significantly, he may struggle. Joining him in the backfield is running back Jonah Coleman, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season after following Fisch from Arizona and should continue that success in 2025. At wide receiver, Denzel Boston returns after racking up 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns last season. This trio could produce some major offensive firepower if given time to operate. Top defensive player Though he didn't initially follow Fisch to Washington, cornerback Tacario Davis transferred in from Arizona this offseason and has the potential to be the star of the defense. Davis recorded 43 tackles and six passes defended en route to second-team All-Big 12 honors last seaosn. Additionally, he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the top defensive back nationally. 2025 schedule
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jedd Fisch's final US LBM Coaches Poll selections
The final edition of the US LBM Coaches Poll was released shortly after the national championship game, and Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch has been among the voters all season long. On his final ballot after his first season at the helm in Washington, Fisch made a few decisions that stand out. He placed the three teams that he faced that qualified for the College Football Playoff in the top 10, with Penn State leading the way at No. 3, followed by No. 6 Oregon, and No. 10 Indiana. Fisch included two other Washington opponents in his top 25, placing Louisville at No. 23 after the Cardinals beat the Huskies 35-34 in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, and the Michigan Wolverines at No. 25, who the Huskies upset 27-17 in October. The Wolverines went on to end their season with upset victories over both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Alabama Crimson Tide. They were also the final members of the Big Ten Conference on Fisch's ballot, which tied with the SEC for the most selections with six. Here's what Fisch's final ballot looked like.
