The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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128 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Jedd Fisch built momentum and won 10 games at Arizona in 2023 but had to move on. Washington offered the former Michi- gan assistant and coaching journeyman a contract that doubled his salary, and the Huskies were headed to the Big Ten as op- posed to the Big 12. But not everything was roses in Year 1. In fact, the Huskies had their fair share of challenges in what was an uneven season. The program that made the national cham- pionship game the year before lost almost all of its top talent from that group, brought in transfers from all over, including several from Arizona, and struggled to mesh. Still, Fisch and Co. won six games, hung tough in most losses, made a bowl and set a founda- tion for the future. It was a solid step. Now, the Huskies are looking to take a leap — and Demond Wil- liams Jr. will give them a shot. The sopho- more quarterback was too good to keep off the field in his first year in 2024, even with a veteran in Will Rogers as the starter. Wil- liams actually took over the job late in the season, starting the last two games. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound dual-threat signal-caller completed 82 of his 105 passes for 944 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was outstanding in the 35-34 Sun Bowl loss to Louisville, connecting on 26 of 32 throws for 374 yards and 4 touchdowns with 1 pick, adding 48 rushing yards and a score. Washington's offensive line was a major issue last season, giving up a Big Ten-worst 39 sacks, and only one starter is still on the roster. But Fisch addressed the problem in the portal, bringing in talent to shore things up. The marquee pickup was Kansas State transfer Carver Willis, a 6-foot-5, 291-pounder who's started 18 career con- tests, had 54 schools reach out to him while in the portal and earned All-Big-12 honor- able mention recognition back in 2023. If the O-line truly is improved, the Huskies will be able to let Williams shine and get the ball to their other playmakers. Senior running back Jonah Coleman — a 5-foot-9, 228-pound bowling ball — aver- aged 5.5 yards per carry while tallying 1,053 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground last year. Denzel Boston, meanwhile, is a junior wide receiver coming off a breakout 2024 campaign in which he led the team with 9 touchdown catches and ranked sec- ond on the squad in receptions (63) and receiving yards (834). Washington's passing defense was elite last season, and that was without any dif- ference-making pass-rushing talent. The Huskies ranked tied for first in the nation by allowing opponents to register just 5.7 yards per pass attempt. While coordinator Steve Belichick left to join his father, Bill Belichick, at North Carolina, Fisch made a big-time hire in grabbing Ryan Walters to replace him. Walters failed as head coach at Purdue but had a great run while overseeing Illinois' defense in 2021 and '22. It took Arizona transfer Tacario Davis a year to join Fisch in Seattle, but he made the move — and he's instantly one of the most important players on the team. The second-team All-Big-12 performer had 44 tackles and 6 pass breakups last season and will help out opposite of senior Ephesians Prysock, a returning starter. The Huskies' pass rush and run defense will aim to improve and has the chance to do so. Senior edge Zach Durfee impressed even while dealing with injuries last season, junior edge Isaiah Ward had 3 sacks and 22 pressures as a backup most of the year, and disruptive Washington State linebacker transfer Taariq Al-Uqdah will bolster the middle of the unit after notching 3 inter- ceptions and 4 fumble recoveries in 2024. Washington has senior Grady Gross back at kicker. He's looking to bounce back after going 18-of-26 on field goals last year fol- lowing an 18-of-22 campaign in 2023. ❑ 2025 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2024 Result Aug. 30 COLORADO STATE — Sept. 6 UC DAVIS — Sept. 20 at Washington State L, 24-19 Sept. 27 OHIO STATE — Oct. 4 at Maryland — Oct. 10 RUTGERS L, 21-18 Oct. 18 at Michigan W, 27-17 Oct. 25 ILLINOIS — Nov. 8 at Wisconsin — Nov. 15 PURDUE — Nov. 22 at UCLA W, 31-19 Nov. 29 OREGON L, 49-21 REASONS FOR OPTIMISM • Play-callers have strong track records • QB Demond Williams Jr. could be the real deal • Key transfer additions Head coach Jedd Fisch is a great offensive mind, and Ryan Walters is proven as a de- fensive coordinator. REASONS FOR CONCERN • How improved will the OL be? • Defense wasn't very disruptive • Special teams UW ranked worse than 100th in the coun- try in sacks and tackles for loss per game as well as turnovers forced. The Huskies' offense had issues in the red zone and on third down. All of that led to some close losses a year ago. GAME 7 • WASHINGTON HUSKIES • OCT. 18 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 9-6 First Meeting: U-M 50, Washington 0 (Sept. 26, 1953, in Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: Washington 27, U-M 17 (Oct. 5, 2024, in Seattle) Head Coach: Jedd Fisch, 6-7 at Washington (second year) and 23-29 overall (fifth full season) 2024 In Review: 6-7, 4-5 Big Ten Final 2024 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 5 (3 offense, 1 de- fense, 1 specialist) Last Bowl Appearance: 2024 (Sun Bowl vs. Louisville, L 35-34) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Demond Williams Jr. (944 yards, 8 TD) Rushing: Jonah Coleman (1,053 yards, 10 TD) Receiving: Denzel Boston (834 yards, 9 TD) Tackles: Ephesians Prysock (45) Sacks: Russell Davis II, Isaiah Ward (3) Interceptions: None Washington Has Breakthrough Potential Demond Williams Jr. accounted for 64 yards (44 passing, 20 rushing) in a 27-17 win over Michi- gan in 2024. PHOTO COURTESY WASHINGTON ATHLETICS