Through the first four games of the 2024 season, the Washington Huskies have shown off an extremely impressive pass rush that has helped defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s group turn into one of the best in the country.
Pairing productive returners like Zach Durfee, Jayvon Parker, and Voi Tunuufi with newcomers like Sebastian Valdez, Deshawn Lynch, and Isaiah Ward has proven to be an effective personnel grouping for his scheme. Not only have the Huskies notched 11 sacks across their first four games, but they’ve made seemingly every dropback very uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks.
Washington has generated pressure on over 40 percent of their pass rush snaps, partially thanks to some of Belichick’s inventive blitzes, but also thanks to his ability to get the most out of his defensive front.
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Tunuufi has taken a big step forward as the scheme allows him to align in spots that have allowed him to be more disruptive, which has helped him tie for the team-high with 11 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. The senior is a great example of how the scheme and Jedd Fisch’s new coaching staff has turned around the defensive line.
Parker has also shown major signs of improvement. After burning his redshirt in 2022 and playing sparingly during Washington’s run to the national championship, he has become a vital piece of generating push from the interior.
Jayvon Parker has been tremendous this year and weirdly I feel like it’s not being talked about.
Here he doesn’t end up making the tackle, that goes to Dyson McCutcheon but he drives the guard back on the zone run throwing off the timing to force the RB right into McCutheon pic.twitter.com/sWaTNkzTuk
— Ben Glassmire (@BenGlassmireNFL) September 23, 2024
As the Huskies move into Big Ten play, with a key matchup against a stout Rutgers offensive line up next, their pass rush will be critical to sustained success on defense. The pressure has also helped the secondary out immensely.
Washington’s defensive backs are allowing just a 43.3 completion percentage, the No. 2 mark in the nation, which can be attributed to the havoc the defensive line has wreaked on opposing offensive lines. If the group can continue to get after opposing quarterbacks at such a high rate, it should be able to sustain the elite level of play its shown to begin the season.