Two potential Washington starters in 2026 have decided to enter the transfer portal when it opens on January 2nd. Sophomore running back Adam Mohammed and freshman wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright each announced their decision to enter the portal on Wednesday of this week. Mohammed’s decision to enter the portal is somewhat surprising, given that he was expected to become the starting running back in 2026 as a true junior. But it’s understandable because he’ll be highly targeted in the open market. Vines-Bright is one of several talented components of a deep receiver room at Washington who will likely earn more playing time elsewhere.
Washington Transfer Portal
RB Adam Mohammed
This past season, Mohammed carried the football over 100 times and rushed for 523 yards with five rushing touchdowns. When Jonah Coleman was injured in the final month of the season, Mohammed filled in his absence seamlessly. He started back-to-back games against Purdue and at UCLA and immediately impacted the offense. Mohammed rushed for three scores against the Boilermakers and recorded his first 100-yard rushing game against the Bruins. A week later, Mohammed had another 100-yard rushing game against Oregon despite not starting.
The Washington running back will be a highly targeted running back in the transfer portal. He possesses a unique blend of experience and style as a runner. Mohammed has played in all 26 possible games since enrolling at Washington. With 148 career attempts, the Arizona native is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He’s a threat in the pass game as well, with 179 career receiving yards and 7.8 yards per catch.
In terms of running style, Mohammed stands at 6’-0” and 220 pounds and runs with power and agility. This season, 72% of his rushing yards came after contact (374 of 523). He also forced 41 missed tackles on the year. But Mohammed is not just a downhill back. He can make defenders miss up the middle and on the outside to gain extra yards. As an incoming junior, he’s a player whose upside will put him in the Doak Walker Award conversation in 2026 at his next school
WR Raiden Vines-Bright
After just one year at Washington, Vines-Bright will look elsewhere to complete his college football career. The former four-star in the class of 2025 leaves Washington after starting eight of the 12 games in which he played this season. He quickly gained the confidence of the coaching staff after a strong end to the Spring practice season. He unofficially tallied eight catches for 131 yards and an acrobatic toe-tap touchdown in early May in the Spring game. Vines-Bright’s performance after having been limited during practice in the Spring caught the attention of many.
The Arizona native was named a week one starter on the depth chart over Penn State transfer Omari Evans at the slot receiver position. The offense lined up in 12 personnel on the first snap of the season. As such, a slot receiver didn’t officially record a start in that game. But Vines-Bright was the first-team slot receiver on the first opportunity to open the season. He finished the 2025 campaign with 24 catches, 238 yards, and a touchdown, which came in the LA Bowl win over Boise State.
Husky Receiver Depth
Washington’s 2025 recruiting class was full of talent, especially at receiver. Vines-Bright was one of five at that possession to join the roster. Dezmen Roebuck ended up leading the group statistically, finishing as the team’s second-leading receiver this year. Chris Lawson didn’t play as much early in the season, but caught four passes in the final three games. On top of the 2025 talent, the Huskies added four receivers to their 2026 class to further populate the position room.
If Denzel Boston heads to the next level, Rashid Williams is expected to be back in 2026 as the premier target, alongside Roebuck in the slot. That leaves a competition between Vines-Bright and Lawson for that other starting receiver role. It’s a position that will see some push from other players as well, including Justice Williams, Marcus Harris, and even some of next year’s freshmen.
Vines-Bright possesses immense talent at the position. He’s shown flashes of it in his first calendar year on campus in Seattle. But his decision to enter the transfer portal is understandable, as he has the traits to become the premier target at his next school.
Main Image: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
