The Washington Huskies football team’s been on a real upswing under head coach Jedd Fisch. The recent 2026 NFL Draft picks—wide receiver Denzel Boston and running back Jonah Coleman—say a lot about the talent and vibe brewing in Seattle.
Even though both players got some pretty wild NIL offers to transfer, they stuck around. That loyalty? It really highlights the kind of team environment Fisch is building.
This article takes a closer look at their journeys and the impact of keeping core players, especially as college football keeps changing.
The Rise of Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman
Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman were the Huskies’ main guys last season—Boston led in receiving, Coleman in rushing. Boston landed with the Cleveland Browns in the second round after putting up 62 catches, 881 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
He was a huge reason the Huskies’ offense clicked.
Denzel Boston’s Journey
Boston didn’t have a straight shot to the top. He was recruited by Kalen DeBoer, but with guys like Ja’Lyn Polk, Rome Odunze, and Jalen McMillan ahead of him, he started out buried on the depth chart.
When Jedd Fisch took over in 2024, Boston finally got his chance. Over his last two seasons, he racked up more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns—definitely made himself indispensable.
Jonah Coleman’s Path
Jonah Coleman’s story’s just as interesting. Fisch first recruited him at Arizona, and Coleman followed him to Washington through the transfer portal.
In his last season, Coleman ran the ball 156 times for 758 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led the team in both stats.
He could’ve left for a bigger payday but chose to stay. That says a lot about what Fisch has going on behind the scenes.
The Impact of NIL Deals and Transfer Portal
With NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and the transfer portal, college football feels like a whole new world. Players can cash in and move around more than ever.
But it’s also a headache for teams trying to hold onto their stars.
NIL Offers Turned Down
Boston and Coleman both got some eye-popping NIL offers to leave. The Denver Post reported some of those offers were over $2 million—one even dangled $500,000 more than what they made at Washington.
Still, they stayed put. That kind of loyalty isn’t easy to find these days.
Building a Strong Team Culture
College football’s always been about building a culture that makes players want to stick around and grow. With the transfer portal and NIL, that’s gotten a lot tougher—nobody’s immune, not even the big-name programs.
Fisch and his staff seem to have created a place where players genuinely want to be. Sure, it’s not perfect. Adam Mohammed, last year’s second-leading rusher, transferred to Cal. Junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was set to come back, but then he jumped into the portal at the last minute.
On the flip side, sophomore cornerback Dylan Robinson Jr. came back to snag the starting outside corner spot after Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis left for the draft. The offensive line is mostly the same, too—four out of five starters are back. Only Carver Willis left, and he was drafted by the 49ers.
The Huskies have improved from 6-7 to 9-4 with Fisch running the show. The culture he’s built, the one that convinced Boston and Coleman to stay, could be the thing that pushes them even further next season. It’s hard not to be a little hopeful.
Washington Huskies’ Future Prospects
With guys like Boston and Coleman staying, the Huskies are in a strong spot for next season. Jumping from 6-7 to 9-4 under Fisch? That’s no small feat.
Four of five offensive linemen are coming back, and so are some key defensive players. That’s the kind of stability teams dream about.
Key Returning Players
Sophomore Dylan Robinson Jr. will step in as the starting outside cornerback, filling the shoes of 2026 NFL draftees Prysock and Davis. The offensive line only lost Carver Willis to the NFL, which means the rest of the crew is sticking around.
That kind of continuity is huge for keeping the momentum going.
Challenges Ahead
It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Losing Adam Mohammed to Cal stings, and the whole situation with Demond Williams Jr.—first staying, then leaving—shows just how tricky retention is now.
Still, if Fisch can keep the culture tight, the Huskies have a shot at weathering whatever comes next.
Conclusion
The Washington Huskies football team sure seems to be heading in the right direction under head coach Jedd Fisch. You can really see it in the choices players like Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman are making—they’ve decided to stay put, even with some tempting NIL deals floating around.
There’s something to be said for that kind of loyalty. Fisch appears to have built a culture that’s hard to walk away from, and maybe that’s worth more than a quick payday.
As the Huskies gear up for the next season, keeping key players and fostering that team-first environment could make all the difference. If you’re curious to dig deeper, check out the original article.
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