Jedd Fisch names freshman OLB starter following Washington's mock game

Roman Tomashoff, Huskies WireSun, August 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM UTC

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Following Saturday night's mock game, there's no doubt about freshman outside linebacker Ramzak Fruean's role with the Washington Huskies.

“Ramzak’s going to start for us,” coach Jedd Fisch said after the scrimmage. “There’s no question about that.”

Throughout both spring and fall camp, the former four-star recruit out of in-state Bethel High School has flashed elite athleticism that has had Fisch's entire coaching staff buzzing about his potential. Over the last few weeks, that has turned into first-team reps along the defensive line, which has resulted in the havoc plays that defensive coordinator Ryan Walters wants to see from his pass rush, including a sack in Saturday's scrimmage.

"It's been exponential," outside linebackers coach Aaron Van Horn said of Fruean's growth. "Obviously, it's something you hope for from young guys especially; there's so much to learn as far as maturity-wise off the field and on the field."

"He takes things seriously, so he's taken a huge jump as far as the football school piece of it...the technique, the fundamentals. And the other piece of it that you can just watch is he practices as hard as just about anybody; you can just watch it, he practices everything. That's one of the things that he embodies, and it's showing up."

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Across from Jacob Lane, the pair could help lead a resurgent pass rush that finished No. 12 in the Big Ten last season with 24 sacks.

Lane was a force to be reckoned with on Saturday, even as the first teams didn't work out against each other. The senior was in the backfield on seemingly every play, and finished his night with 2 sacks, a tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery after a botched exchange from quarterback Derek Zammit.

However, that was just part of a strong day from Washington's defensive line, as Russell Davis II, Derek Colman-Brusa, and Darin Conley were all credited with a sack as part of a defensive line Fisch has touted as the deepest he's seen during his time as a head coach.

"Deuce Davis is back, Isaiah Ward is back," Fisch told Huskies Wire at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. "Then you look at Jacob Lane on the other side, then Logan George; they've shown the defensive line in its totality is a different type of group than we've had in the five years that I've been a head coach. I think the ability for us to go in and out with players and keep them fresh in a long season, as well as the difference makers that I think we have there, is exciting."

That was just a small part of what took place inside Husky Stadium.

Fall camp notebook -

Freshman wide receiver Mason James took a big hit from cornerback Emmanuel Karnley on a screen play, and remained down on the field for a minute before he was able to gingerly walk off the field, and he did not return to the game. Offensive lineman Lowen Colman-Brusa also needed to be carted off with an apparent lower-body injury. Fisch did not have an update on either player after the scrimmage.

This was the first time this fall that junior running back Jordan Washington has made an appearance. He was not wearing a neck brace and walked the sidelines with the offense; several times he was walking alongside freshman receiver Jordan Clay, who was unable to dress and participate in the scrimmage.

It was a strong day for tight end Baron Naone, who showed off his skills as both a blocker and receiver. Not only did he put together several strong reps as both a pass and run blocker, but he started his day with a 34-yard reception up the seam from Demond Williams Jr., and ended it with an 18-yard touchdown catch on the day's final drive.

Sophomore running back Quaid Carr showcased his explosiveness early in the scrimmage with what looked like a 60-yard touchdown on the third play of the day. He also caught a pair of passes out of the backfield.

Freshman safety Ksani Jiles stepped in front of a pass from Treston Kini McMillan for the day's only interception, and returned it 45 yards for a pick-six.

Wide receiver Justice Williams had a strong day working with the second-team offense, as he pulled in 4 catches.

Kicker Tyler Robles went 3-for-4 on his field goal attempts, converting from 33, 38, and 49 yards, and missing from 36.

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jedd Fisch names freshman OLB starter following Washington's mock game

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