Michigan Football: Scouting Week 2 opponent Washington

Defense and Special Teams 

Over the last few years, Washington has had one of the stingiest defenses in the country. It earned Jimmy Lake a promotion from defensive coordinator to head coach when Chris Petersen stepped down.

Last year, the Huskies had the #1 defense in the Pac-12  in total defense, #2 in scoring defense and ranked 13th nationally in pass defense. This year, it should be strong once again.

Washington runs a hybrid defense with a 3-4 and 2-4-5 looks and it starts up front with the interior duo of Tuli Letuligasenoa and Taki Taimani.

Combined the redshirt sophomores offer 630 pounds of beef in the middle. Redshirt freshman Faatui Tuitele is the top reserve and he will start when Washington wants to go with three interior lineman. Tuitele was a four-star recruit in the 2019 along with fellow redshirt freshman Jacob Bandes. Kuao Peihopa may see action as a true freshman.

At outside linebacker Washington is deep and it would usually start with Zion Tupuola-Fetui, who had 7 sacks in 4 games last season.

However, Tupuola-Fetui tore his Achilles in the spring. Amazingly he is expected to return at some point this season, but he will miss the Michigan game. Sixth-year senior Ryan Bowman was an All-PAC-12 selection in 2019. He is strong setting the edge in the run game and he could lead the team in sacks this season. Keep an eye on former five-star Sa’vell Smalls as a breakout candidate.  Redshirt sophomores Edefuan Ulofoshio and Jackson Sirmon make up a strong duo at inside linebacker. Ulofoshio led the team with 47 tackles last season and Sirmon was second with 27.

Very quietly, Washington has been the West Coast’s version of “DBU” over the last few years. It lost corners Elijah Molden and Keith Taylor to the NFL, but their secondary should be strong once again.

At one corner spot, Trent McDuffie is among the best in the country and is projected as a first round pick. Kyler Gordon will take over for Keith Taylor at the other spot and he has all-conference potential. Freshmen Jacobe Covington and Mishael Powell round out the top four. Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles transfers in from Oklahoma and should replace Molden at nickel corner. Radley-Hiles had an up-and-down career in Norman but perhaps he will get a fresh start at Washington. The Huskies will be breaking in two new starters at safety and it appears that sophomores Cam Williams and Julius Irvin will get the first opportunity.

Washington returns both specialists punter Race Porter and kicker Peyton Henry. Porter has averaged per 42.4 punt for his career while Henry was 6 of 9 on field goals (long of 45) and 13 of 14 on extra points last year. Giles Jackson and Trent McDuffie are the favorites to be Huskies return specialists at this juncture.