Anticipation is building as the Washington Huskies prepare for Spring practice to begin the week of April 1st. Jedd Fisch, Offensive Coordinator Brennan Carroll, and Defensive Coordinator Steve Belichick held a luncheon with members of the media inside Husky Stadium in the afternoon on March 27th. They each took to the podium to discuss the football program, roster, and information surrounding Spring practice and Last Word on College Football was in attendance.
Roster Updates
For starters, the roster has worked its way up on scholarship players. When Fisch took over in January, the team had just 49 scholarship players. It now has 79 scholarship players. Linebacker Drew Fowler is the only one to have been elevated from walk-on status. But many of the transfers and incoming players have taken up scholarship spots. This includes cornerback Ephesians Prysock, running back Jonah Coleman, and quarterback Will Rogers, among several others.
Speaking of the roster, Fisch said at the press conference that there is no depth chart because there is, in fact, no depth chart. Players will begin competing for positions on this depth chart next week with the commencement of Spring ball.
A piece of news that did come out the morning of the presser was that running back Will Nixon left the team. Nixon was a wide receiver for Nebraska before transferring to Washington in 2022. His departure from Washington was a surprise as he was with the team as recently as a couple of days ago at a position group dinner.
Washington Spring Practice Update
Spring practices begin the week of April 1st and will be open to the public. This move is not something we see all the time, but one that can prove significant when building anticipation for the team this Fall. Practices will be held in the afternoons instead of in the mornings when Spring practices are typically held. Fisch stated that because the team does not kick off early in the mornings, being a West Coast team, they won’t hold practices in the mornings. Makes sense.
Position Groups
The offensive line continues to be a talking point with this roster as it lost so much after last season. As of now, Fisch said there are just 10 healthy players in this group to begin practicing this Spring. Carroll also discussed the situation at center.
There currently isn’t a true center on this roster. He joked about how he asked his offensive line room to raise their hands if they play center, and only a few did. Carroll responded that all their hands should be in the air because they are trying everyone at the position. It’s going to be true, at least to a degree, as practices start next week. Zachary Henning and Parker Cross were mentioned as guys who will rotate at the position this Spring, among a handful of others. The much anticipated Spring window for the transfer portal opens on April 15th and could shuffle the room a bit more. We already know this staff will look to add to this room to improve depth.
On the defensive side of the ball, Belichick discussed how he has not coached at the college level. He had been with the New England Patriots for the entirety of his coaching career which began in 2012. In his first year of coaching college football, Belichick talked about how he is gearing his coaching toward college players. He also joked that he spends a lot of time Facetime-ing high school players, which is not something he has ever needed to do in years past.
The Cusp of Washington Spring Football
The mood inside Husky Stadium today was one of much anticipation and excitement for what’s to come next season. Fisch commented on the immense opportunity that Seattle brings to this program, as well as the “black and white” difference between the job at Washington and at Arizona. In doing so, you could feel the energy he has towards getting this program in the best shape it can be for 2024. Next week we’ll get our first look at the “new-look” Husky roster.
