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. 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 is expected to miss two to three months. 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. 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 has missed the first three games while recovering from a wrist injury. Five-star freshman Kodi Greene also joins the group.

Ryan Walters returns for his second season as defensive coordinator at Washington, bringing back six of its top eleven tacklers, including its top two, Alex McLaughlin and Xe’ree Alexander. Along the defensive line, Jacob Lane and Elinneus Davis return, 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 will be the Huskies’ primary return man. Overall, Washington enters 2026 with considerable continuity at quarterback and along the offensive line while replacing its leading rusher and receiver. Defensively, the Huskies return their top two tacklers and several experienced starters while adding another proven Power Conference starter to the secondary.