Washington Huskies Defense Has Lofty Expectations For 2026

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Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Ryan Walters speaks to the media following practice Friday at Husky Stadium in Seattle. | Teren Kowatsch/Roundtable Sports

SEATTLE — A lion's share of the attention paid toward the Washington Huskies football team this offseason and entering fall training camp has been paid toward the offense.

Third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. will be returning to the team after leading the Big Ten in total yardage (3,676) and putting up 31 touchdowns (25 passing, six rushing). The team will also be featuring an offensive line that's returning four-of-five starters from last season.

Although the offense looks to be in great shape and is guided by offensive-minded third-year head coach Jedd Fisch, there might be more reason to be optimistic for the defense going into this season.

Defensive coaches and players have been banging the drums this offseason that it believes it can be a top 10, if not top five, defense in the country. Xe'ree Alexander co-signed that sentiment at a news conference Tuesday. Several players echoed that sentiment again following a practice Friday.

"I think last year, you look at the stats, we had really good run defense," fourth-year edge rusher Jacob Lane said following practice Friday at Husky Stadium. "Lot of good numbers. But it was this close to being in that elite conversation. We talked about it a lot, just holding them to one less touchdown per game this year, and you're top five … in the country. So, I think just going in on all the little things and knowing we all trust each other and believe in each other, we could get it done no matter what."

Last year, the Huskies finished fifth in the 18-team Big Ten in points per game (18.7), fifth in yards allowed per game (311.4) and were tied for third in turnovers per game (1.5).

Washington is returning a significant amount of veteran talent on the defense, including Lane, fifth-year edge rusher Isaiah Ward a linebacking corps that features three fourth- or fifth-year players, fourth-year defensive lineman Elinneus Davis and fourth-year safety Alex McLaughlin. The cornerback spots are currently occupied by talented 6-foot-3 second year Dylan Robinson and Virginia transfer, former Fisch recruit and fourth-year player Emmanuel Karnley.

Huskies defensive coordinator Ryan Walters isn't ready to crown his defense before the team even puts pads on in practice, but he sees the talent and the potential his unit has.

"It starts with the consistency piece," Walters said Tuesday. "It's easy to do things elite one time. But to be great, you got to do it over and over again. And that's what we've been doing. Talking about, not only as a program but a defense, building championship-level habits. … So, to me, can we match the same energy (in) practice one and two, practice 17 and 18, and can we have the same attention to detail when you're tired and it's a little bit hard or dealing with a little bit of adversity? If we can do that, I feel like we have a chance to be special."

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