Washington kicks off its 2024 season in less than two weeks. There will be several new names across this roster to get familiar with. Jedd Fisch told us that there will be competition every week throughout the season and that the best 11 players will play on a week-to-week basis. On the Washington offense, many players are beginning to solidify themselves as starters. Of the many players fighting for an everyday role, these are three players that you should know before week one. From what we’ve seen this offseason and through this point of Fall camp, each one will make an impact on the offense.
Keith Reynolds
The top guys in the Washington receiver room have continued to make plays that indicate the high-ceiling of the passing offense this Fall. But not far behind them is redshirt freshman wide-out Keith Reynolds. At 5’-9” and 180 pounds, Reynolds wears the number 15 and has been consistently running with the second team. As such, the chemistry between Reynolds and Demond Williams Jr. has strengthened rapidly. On multiple occasions, the quarterback-receiver duo has connected on back-to-back plays in scrimmage sessions. Reynolds is one of the fastest players on the team. He can explode past the second level of the defense to get open, as well as stretch the field laterally with his speed.
But Reynolds will make an impact this season outside of just his role as a pass-catcher. On special teams, Reynolds lines up next to Giles Jackson as a kickoff return man. As a kick returner, Reynolds uses that speed to create space where there isn’t any and makes players miss with his shiftiness. He previewed this while returning kicks during Washington’s Mock Game last Saturday. Reynolds took one for 18 yards and another for 26 yards with the first-team kick return unit.
Wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings has mentioned Reynolds as one of the biggest positives after Spring practice in the receiver room. His technique as a pure receiver has improved quickly, and that has translated to him running consistently with the second-team players during the Fall despite his status as a redshirt freshman. Whether it be returning kicks next to Jackson, or rotating in with the second line of receivers, Reynolds is going to be impactful for Washington’s offense this Fall.
Adam Mohammed
When he takes a handoff, you’d assume Adam Mohammed was at least a third-year player. By looking at just the physical presence of number 24, you’d never guess that this Washington running back is a true freshman. Running backs coach Scottie Graham calls him his “best-kept secret.” The former three-star enrolled early at Washington after rushing for over 5,000 yards and scoring 113 touchdowns at the high school level. Mohammed stood out this Spring. A few running backs were banged up in April which gave the Apollo High School alum a lot of reps. Mohammed was up to the task, quickly digested the offense, and began turning heads.
Transitioning into the Fall, Mohammed has continued to get consistent reps with Washington’s second-team offense. In some scrimmages, the true freshman was even running with the first-team guys. It’s becoming more clear every day that Mohammed is going to be a factor in the offense this season. Jonah Coleman and Cam Davis figure to take the majority of the load at running back. But behind those two, Mohammed is probably going to be the next guy in the rotation this season.
After the team’s Mock Game last week, Fisch commented on how he was impressed to see the kinds of plays that the running backs were able to make. Among those plays was a forceful stiff arm from Mohammed. Running to his left, he ran through a defender with his outstretched right arm. He rumbled forward another couple of yards after he initiated the contact. Mohammed ended up being the team’s unofficial leading rusher that night with seven carries and about 40 yards with a few catches out of the backfield. This display of physicality is a snapshot of the type of runner Mohammed will be this season for the Washington offense.
Soane Faasolo
There’s no depth chart right now, but a lot of signs point towards Soane Faasolo being the team’s starting left tackle for week one. During practice this Fall, Faasolo has consistently lined up at left tackle with the presumed first-team group. But what makes the redshirt freshman unique among this group is his experience level. Of this specific offensive line grouping, transfers Drew Azzopardi, D’Angalo Titialii, and Enokk Vimahi combine for over 2,900 snaps. Gaard Memmelaar has played in four games over four years at Washington. Of that group, Faasolo would be the only starting lineman without a true game snap under his belt.
But Faasolo has key tangibles that make him a viable option for the left tackle spot. At 6’-8” and just under 300 pounds, Faasolo has the size and the athleticism to solidify the left side of the line. We’ve also seen him take steps forward as a blocker from where he was in the Spring. Faasolo has a basketball background which helps with his footwork and agility at the position as well. Pending Landen Hatchett’s return, pieces might be shuffled along the interior offensive line. But at left tackle, it appears that number 68 is likely to be the guy for this Washington offense.
Photo from Nick Lemkau
