Jedd Fisch returns for his third season after Washington finished 9-4 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten play in 2025. With Jimmie Dougherty departing for the NFL, Fisch will take a larger role in the offensive play-calling. Demond Williams Jr. returns at quarterback after completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Update (Oct. 14): Williams suffered a rib injury against Iowa on October 9 and did not return after halftime. Elijah Brown replaced him and completed 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Williams is considered unlikely to play against Purdue on October 16, although his availability has not been officially finalized. Washington must replace leading rusher Jonah Coleman, who departed for the Denver Broncos, while Oregon transfer Jayden Limar joins the backfield. Update (Sept. 22): RB Jayden Limar suffered an upper-body injury in the season opener and underwent surgery, leaving him sidelined for an extended period. His return timetable remains uncertain. Update (Oct. 14): Brian Bonner Jr. has emerged as Washington’s primary running back while Limar remains sidelined. The Huskies also must replace leading receiver Denzel Boston, who left for the Cleveland Browns, while Dezmen Roebuck returns after making 42 receptions last season. Decker DeGraaf also returns at tight end. Update (Oct. 14): Chris Lawson and Rashid Williams have emerged as important receiving options. Lawson caught eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown against Iowa, while Rashid Williams added five receptions for 66 yards. Up front, the offensive line returns considerable starting experience, with John Mills, Geirean Hatchett, and Drew Azzopardi back as full-time starters. Landen Hatchett returns after making eight starts last season but missed the first three games while recovering from a wrist injury. Update (Oct. 14): Landen Hatchett has returned to action and was listed among Washington’s starting offensive linemen against Iowa on October 9. Five-star freshman Kodi Greene also joins the group.

Ryan Walters returns for his second season as Washington’s defensive coordinator, bringing back six of its top eleven tacklers, including its top two, Alex McLaughlin and Xe’ree Alexander. Up front, Jacob Lane and Elinneus Davis return on the defensive line, while Alexander and veteran Jacob Manu return at linebacker. In the secondary, McLaughlin returns as a full-time starter, while Rylon Dillard-Allen also returns with starting experience. Virginia transfer Emmanuel Karnley adds another experienced option at defensive back after making 10 starts last season.

Chris Petrilli returns as special teams coordinator. Texas State transfer Tyler Robles joins the program at placekicker, while San Diego State transfer Hunter Green joins at punter. Rahsawn Clark handles the primary return duties.

Overall, Washington entered 2026 with continuity at quarterback and along the offensive line, but needed to replace its leading rusher and receiver. Defensively, the Huskies returned their top two tacklers and several experienced starters while adding another proven Power Conference starter to the secondary. Update (Oct. 14): Washington is 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play following a 41-24 loss to Iowa on October 9. The Huskies have lost three consecutive games to Minnesota, USC, and Iowa. Williams’ injury creates uncertainty at quarterback entering the October 16 matchup at Purdue, while Bonner and several emerging receivers have taken on larger offensive roles.