We all know, any defense begins with the big boys up the middle. Without them, you might as well turn in your gear and enjoy your Saturdays on some river float somewhere. We have discussed those fellas.
However, it is the guys on the edge that need to “set the edge” vs the run and they become critical vs the passing game by providing a pass rush, putting pressure on the opposing quarterback. We can only assume that the Washington coaches feel very good about what the current roster gives them. Coach Fisch only brought in one Edge player from the portal after losing an often enigmatic Zach Durfee and a very valuable piece in big Deshawn Lynch.
Durfee had enough talent that two coaching staffs continually talked about his potential, but injury kept him from fulfilling his promise. Lynch was young man with good speed for his size that made monumental improvement over the couple seasons he played for the Huskies. That same type of improvement will have to happen again with the next group coming through in ’26.
The production of the returners is minimal. In looking at the roster, only Jacob Lane (6’5 265) looks like a sure starter for the ’26 season. So we see the new production coming from young players that we have seen very little from, so far.
EDGE:
Graduates: Zach Durfee, Deshawn Lynch
Major loses: None
Returning Starters: Jacob Lane
Portal Additions: Logan George
Top Returners: Devin Hyde, Victor Sanchez Hernandez
Top Freshman: Derek Colman-Brusa
Jacob Lane: Jacob Lane is not a flashy athlete, but definitely finds a way to make plays when the need arises. Lane has been Mr. Steady for the past two years and will be the leader of this group in ’26. Upon becoming the full time starter in ’25, he ended the year with 4.0 sacks. Lane won the UW’s Iron Dawg Award and L. Wait Rising Defensive Lineman of the Year at the team’s postseason awards banquet and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Academic team
Logan George: Originally from Pocatello, Idaho, he was a walk on at Idaho State. In his first full season at Idaho State, in 2023, he had 31 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. In 2024, Logan played in all 12 games and finished fifth on the team with 56 total tackles, led the Bengals with 19.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He led the Big Sky Conference and was fifth in the FCS in TFLs in 2024.
George is transferring to Washington after having spent the 2025 football season, injured for most of it, at Ohio State. He went on a two-year mission before hitting the field at Utah State so he will bring a level of maturity to the position.
Derek Colman-Brusa: Derek was one of top recruits in the country this last cycle and keeping the big-time recruit home was a major coup for the Coach Fisch and the Huskies. Because of his natural talent, we will list him on the potential depth chart in front of two promising players already on the roster. DCB is in school for the winter quarter, giving him a head start in the weight training and conditioning program getting him prepared for spring ball. We listed him as a potential player at the defensive end when the Dawgs get big with a five man front, but we see him beginning the process at a large Edge player.
Other players of note: Devin Hyde, Victor Sanchez Hernandez
