It was a hectic Sunday and Monday after Washington’s Spring Game in the transfer portal for the Huskies. A couple of players committed to Washington, another flipped from Washington to a different school, and one of Washington’s prominent transfers found his new home.
Transfer Portal Buzz at Washington
Within minutes of each other, former Ohio State offensive lineman Enokk Vimahi announced his commitment to Washington, and Old Dominion offensive lineman Chris Adams announced he’d be flipping his commitment from Washington to Memphis. Adams had committed to Washington less than one week prior. The wild ride sums up the volatility of the transfer portal era of college football quite nicely. But ultimately, each player found the situation best for them. Shortly after this transpired, former Washington quarterback Dermaricus Davis announced his commitment to UCLA.
Enokk Vimahi – OL
The Ohio State transfer was a four-star recruit in the 2019 class and has seen the field in five seasons of college football in Columbus. Vimahi played limited snaps for the Buckeyes primarily at guard, but got action at tackle in 2021. He’s played just 318 snaps at the collegiate level but has yet to allow a sack. The new Husky has only allowed a total of three quarterback pressures in his career. Vimahi has played 27 games with one start under his belt and will have two years of eligibility remaining including this season.
Vimahi fills a position group where bodies are needed. Washington only had nine or ten players healthy at best during the month of Spring practice. The group added transfers D’Angalo Titialii, Logan Sagapolu, and initially had Adams locked in to bolster the offensive line. There’s a chance that Sagapolu will get a look at the defensive line once he arrives in Seattle. But with these additions, Washington adds some experience and critical depth at the team’s most important position group.
Keleki Latu – TE
The brother of former Husky and UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu is now in the tight end room for Washington. Keleki Latu entered the transfer portal from Nevada and, again, gives Washington some depth at a position group of need. Latu began his career at California after being tabbed a three-star in the class of 2021. He caught 22 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in Berkeley. The 6’-7” pass catcher transferred to Nevada ahead of the 2023 season where he posted 14 receptions for 179 yards and no scores.
Washington lost two tight ends after last year’s National Championship run. The veteran of the group is now Quentin Moore, but he had just two catches last season and five the year prior. Washington also has true freshman Decker DeGraaf who made some great plays this Spring at practice. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Otton is in the room as well, but has yet to record a catch. Adding Latu to the mix keeps with the theme of providing experience and depth to the roster where it’s needed. The tight end position will be routinely utilized this season under Brennan Carroll’s pro-style offense, and Latu gives the group some breathing room.
Cameron Warchuck – LS
Washington got a long snapper in the transfer portal from Colorado in Cameron Warchuck. He handled all the long-snapping duties for the Buffaloes in the team’s 12 games last season. Warchuck joins a special teams unit where Caleb Johnston has been handling the long-snapping duties all Spring. He was next in line after Jaden Green’s final season in 2023. Warchuck and Johnston will now compete for the team’s long-snapping role in 2024.
Dermaricus Davis – QB
Washington’s third-string quarterback entered the transfer portal during the second-to-last week of the team’s Spring practice. Davis’ absence from practice that week caught our attention, and it was later confirmed he was in the portal. Jedd Fisch said that his approach to the transfer portal wouldn’t change with this news, and that they’d continue to be aggressive in recruiting players to the roster. It’s expected that the Huskies will try to land one or maybe even two quarterbacks from the portal.
Davis was a clear step behind fellow class of 2024 early-enrollee Demond Williams Jr. all Spring. That’s not to say that Davis was struggling, but rather a testament to Williams’ progression in April. Davis was a four-star recruit from the Los Angeles area and will be returning home to compete in the Bruins’ quarterback room. The loss for Washington leaves just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster with one walk-on.
