The Washington Huskies have a lot of questions to answer early in the 2024 season. Replacing 20 starters and the head coach of a team that made it to the national championship last season is extremely difficult, but Pro Football Focus believes coach Jedd Fisch is up to the task.
The analytics site released its first power rankings for the 2024 season and slotted the Huskies in as the No. 9 team in the country, which is a lot higher than the consensus preseason positioning for Fisch’s squad.
Washington’s ranking could have a lot to do with the veteran talent it still has on the roster, combined with a coaching staff that proved it is one of the best in the nation during its last season at Arizona. If the staff can figure out a way to make sure the largely inexperienced offensive and defensive lines can hold their own in the Big Ten, there’s a lot to like about this Husky team.
Veteran quarterback Will Rogers has two talented running backs to rely on in Jonah Coleman and Cameron Davis, and a trio of talented receivers to distribute the ball to in Denzel Boston, Jeremiah Hunter, and Giles Jackson.
Defensively, with coordinator Steve Belichick calling the shots, the veteran trio of linebacker Carson Bruener, cornerback Ephesians Prysock, and safety Kamren Fabiculanan are a trustworthy group to lead the way. If the former New England Patriots playcaller can also find a way to unlock a defensive line loaded with potential, Washington could end up with one of the better groups of pass rushers in the conference.
The Huskies have a lot to prove to live up to PFF’s ranking, but they have some pieces in place that are capable of helping them do so.
PFF’s 2024 CFB Power Ranking:
1. Georgia
6. Oregon
9. Washington
23. USC
24. Arizona https://t.co/jpi4hL1h1L— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) July 1, 2024