Jedd Fisch discusses how Big Ten prepares Washington football for NFL

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The transition to the Big Ten was anything but smooth at the start for the Washington Huskies.

On top of travelling over 30,000 miles for road games over the past two years in the new conference, the program was breaking in a new coach in Jedd Fisch and practically an entire new roster following 2023's run to the national championship. In a conference that had 10 players selected in the first round in the 2026 draft and 68 overall, along with each of the last three national champions, it took some time for the Huskies to adjust.

But for Fisch and his "Be A Pro" mantra, the rude introduction to the Big Ten was also a way for the Huskies to experience what things could be like for them if they make it to the NFL.

"From the travel to the national brand to the quality of the coaching," Fisch told Yogi Roth on the Y-Option. "The defensive coaching, the offensive coaching, but what you're going to get on defense, you're getting more NFL scheme, so you have to be more prepared for NFL scheme defensively in the Big Ten, and offensively."

"And then you're also going against the size and athleticism of NFL players, so all of it is now becoming more and more like you're as close to a Sunday as you can be by playing on Saturday."

With all of this in mind, Fisch has given UW a shot in the arm of talent, especially between the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes, choosing to build around key pieces like offensive lineman John Mills and wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck on offense, both of whom were named Freshman All-Americans in 2025, along with offensive lineman Kodi Greene, wide receivers Trez Davis and Jordan Clay, and running back Brian Bonner.

Defensively, the Huskies will lean on another Freshman All-American in safety Rylon Dillard-Allen, along with linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and cornerback Dylan Robinson, while defensive coordinator Ryan Walters is hoping highly-touted freshmen defensive linemen TI Umu-Cais, Derek Colman-Brusa, and JD Hill, outside linebacker Ramzak Fruean, cornerback Rahsjon Duncan, and safety Gavin Day to continue adding that size and athleticism necessary to make it to the next level.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jedd Fisch on how the Big Ten is preparing Washington for the NFL

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