Potential. It’s a wonderful word. It gives one hope. A direction. But, that’s all it is. Basically, potential means nothing has been accomplished. As an old coach once said, “potential only means you haven’t done s^*+, yet.” In a year many felt the UW was pointing towards making a push for the playoffs, a series of departures along the front wall has left us with questions, but potential.
Where the staff is going with the defensive line is a hard one for me to understand. I don’t know if what they finished with was their entire plan or if there were wrenches thrown into the works half way through the portal season. While we have to be excited for potential of who the Huskies brought into to program, it is the half empty side of the story that has me concerned.
Washington lost several key members off the defensive front this year, including frontline players such as Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, Anterio Thompson to graduation. Big boys, usually used on goal line situations, Simote Pepa and Logan Sagapolu, also finished out their career on Montlake.
Often injured Javon and Armon Parker left for the portal with still a season of eligibility. Young promising talent Caleb Smith (Alabama) and Dominic Macon (Oklahoma State) also moved on.
But, it was big 6’5 320 lb., senior to be, Bryce Butler and his move to Texas A&M that was most impactful. He was expected to line up next to Elinneus Davis and become a dominant duo in Washington’s run for the National playoffs. His loss left a real hole to fill.
That amounts to four graduating, five leaving in the portal. That’s nine players gone.
Of the six experienced players that saw real playing time this last season, Coach Fisch replaced those with Kai McClendon (Mississippi State), DeSean Watts (Sacramento State), and Darin Conley (Ball State). He was unable to replace the departed Bryce Butler with a body of his dimension. There is hope that Sophomore Omar Khan (6’3 315) can step in and contribute.
One could say he replaced the two young guys with top recruit Tufanua Ionatana Uma-Cais (6’3 310) and future star Derek Colman-Brusa. However, Colman-Brusa is tabbed to start out on the edge. Then, of course, you lose the development time that Washington had vested into Smith and Macon.
What it seems is left, is a thin group of potentially solid ball players and a couple young guys with potential. Even minor Injuries could very easily become a major problem.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES:
Graduates: Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, Anterio Thompson, Simote Pepa, Logan Sagapolu
Major loses: Bryce Butler
Returning Starters: Elinneus Davis
Portal Additions: Kai McClendon, DeSean Watts, Darin Conley
Top Returners: Omar Khan
Top Freshman: Tufanua Ionatana Uma-Cais
Elinneus Davis: Davis (6’2.5 320) is without a doubt the leader of this new group. He became a solid stalwart in the rotation last season, and when a critical down presented itself, he was one of three players that would find themselves in the game. The young man out of Minnesota, has developed into a legitimate Big 10 defensive tackle with flashes of a quick first step. Davis staying healthy will go a long ways towards a successful season on the defensive side of the ball.
Kai McClendon: McClendon had one whale of a freshman season for Mississippi State in the SEC. Kai Played in 12 games, working himself into the starting lineup for the final five games. He recorded 30 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. During spring ball, McClendon went down with an ACL and was unable to perform for his sophomore year. Washington will depend heavily on his return to action, projected as a starter.
Darin Conley: Conley is a real intriguing prospect from Ball State. During his sophomore 2025 season, include 28 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (TFL), and 1.5 sacks, along with generating 25 pressures, making him a significant defensive force demonstrating a strong interior pass-rush ability for the Cardinals. Conley (6’3 285) is a little on the small side for a true defensive tackle, so look for him to put on a few pounds, and replacing to work of Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, though he may be a more athletic. Expect Darin to move from the 5 and 4I tech in the three man front to inside on passing downs, His potential is high and definitely one to watch.
DeSean Watts: Coming from Sacramento State, the 6’1 315 defensive tackle should serve as solid depth, getting reps in relief of Davis and McClendon on the inside. Redshirting his freshman season Fresno City JC., he played his RsFr. year at Fresno J.C. After transferring to Sac State, Watts played in all 12 games on the interior of the defensive line, starting 11 earned first team all-Big Sky honors. Ranked fourth overall among interior defensive linemen in the FCS and was tied for first against the rush, according to PFF. He will have two years to play two.
Omar Khan: Omar Khan was one of those young players that came to Washington as a very successful high school wrestlers out of Texas, bringing with him the potential we hope for. However, it hasn’t yet materialized. It was a little surprising to not see him get even a few reps at the end of the Boise State bowl game. He just hasn’t seen the field much in his first two years on campus. It may be critical that Omar steps his game up and become a key piece of the rotation if Washington is to have a season we all hope to have.
Tufanua Ionatana Uma-Cais: Known as simply T.I., Uma-Cais is Washington’s top defensive line recruit. He was offered by many top schools and chose to leave Colorado for Husky Stadium. T.I. is already on campus for the winter quarter, and from conversations during coach Fisch’s February 4th press conference, it sounds as if Uma-Cais is one of three big boys doing real well in the weight room – the other two being OT Kodi Greene and Derek Colman-Brusa.
J.D Hill: We mention J.D. with the defensive tackles because he just may be needed there. By size, he is somewhat of a tweener. An immensely talented ball player, he just doesn’t fit any of the stereotypical measurements. Standing just over 6 ft. and weighing in at 270, he is not quite ready to move inside at DT… yet. However, he brings an athletic pass rush to his game which may allow him to have a place on the Edge. Hopefully, the DaWgs will not need him this year and he will have time to develop.
Other players:
Ta’a Malu (Fr.) and David Schwerzel (Fr.)
Not to beat a dead horse, but Washington has a handful of defensive linemen that should be able to compete, the potential is there, but the depth just isn’t there without depending on a couple young freshman. That is never a recipe for a long season of success.
Lets hope for health and the quick development of a couple young players.
