The UW Huskies are gearing up for the 2026 season, aiming to climb the ranks and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. With the Jedd Fisch era in its third year, the team is poised for a breakthrough, according to college football guru Phil Steele. In his recent interview with Bump and Stacy, Steele shared his insights, highlighting the potential for the Huskies to flirt with a playoff berth, especially with a challenging schedule ahead. The team's success will depend on several key factors, including the impact of transfers and the performance of returning players.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Huskies' roster is the addition of Demond Williams Jr., the son of a former UW great. Steele believes that Williams has the potential to be a game-changer, especially as a dual-threat quarterback. With a big season, he could find himself in the Heisman conversation, which would be a significant boost for the team's morale and national recognition. However, Steele also acknowledges the losses the Huskies suffered during the offseason, notably the departures of NFL draft picks Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman. These losses will be felt, particularly at the skill positions, but Steele remains confident in the team's ability to adapt and overcome these challenges.
One of the players to watch is Dezmen Roebuck, a three-star recruit from the 2025 class. Roebuck had a strong true freshman season, hauling in 42 receptions for 560 yards and seven touchdowns. With Boston's departure, Roebuck is poised to step up and fill the void, potentially even surpassing Boston's achievements. Another standout player is John Mills, a left guard from the 2025 class who started 11 games during his true freshman season and was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Mills is an NFL-caliber talent and will be a key component of the offensive line.
Steele also highlights Hunter Green, a punter from San Diego State, as a player to watch. Green's size and skills make him an NFL-caliber punter, and his addition to the team could provide the Huskies with excellent field position, which is a significant advantage for both the offense and defense. In the secondary, Steele singles out Dylan Robinson and Rylon Dillard-Allen as two players with all-conference potential. Robinson, a four-star recruit from the 2025 class, had a strong true freshman season, while Dillard-Allen, another four-star prospect, had 40 total tackles and two tackles for loss in 13 games.
While Steele is optimistic about the Huskies' prospects, he also acknowledges the challenges ahead. The team's success will depend on how well they adapt to the losses and how effectively they execute their game plan. The tough five-game stretch at the end of the season, including road games against Nebraska and Oregon, as well as home contests with Indiana and Penn State, will be a true test of the team's mettle. Nevertheless, with a strong roster and a determined coaching staff, the UW Huskies are poised to make a run at the College Football Playoff in 2026.
In my opinion, the Huskies' chances of making the playoff are certainly there, but they will need to overcome some significant challenges. The loss of Boston and Coleman is a big blow, and the team will need to find new leaders to step up and fill the void. However, with a strong core of returning players and some exciting new additions, I believe the Huskies have the potential to make a run at the top of the conference. Personally, I think the team's success will depend on how well they can adapt to change and how effectively they can execute their game plan. What makes this particularly fascinating is the potential for the Huskies to surprise everyone and make a deep run in the playoffs. From my perspective, the team has the talent and the determination to make it happen, but it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to get there.
