Washington to Start Three Freshmen in Season Opener, Fisch Says
Washington coach Jedd Fisch confirmed that freshman edge rusher Ramzak Fruean will start the opener against Washington State. This makes Fruean the third freshman starter, joining offensive tackle Kodi Greene and defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa. In Saturday's scrimmage, Quaid Carr broke a 56-yard touchdown run.
Fruean, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound Hawaii native, moved into the first-team rotation after Isaiah Ward's injury and has kept the job through fall camp. His presence means two of Washington's four defensive line spots will be held by first-year players, alongside Greene and Colman-Brusa on the offensive and defensive lines respectively.
Saturday's scrimmage also showcased depth at other positions. Carr's 56-yard burst solidified his starting role at running back, while nickelback Jiles returned an interception 43 yards for a score. Fisch expects several injured players back this week, including defensive tackle McClendon, though freshman receiver James left the scrimmage after a hard hit.
This story could signal a shifting trend in college football, where elite freshmen increasingly earn immediate starting roles rather than waiting behind upperclassmen. For Washington, starting three rookies may create early-season inconsistency but also builds long-term experience. Fans and analysts may view this as either a risk or a sign of strong recruiting, potentially influencing how other programs evaluate their own freshman development timelines.