Fisch's Subtle Practice Differences from DeBoer Continue to Emerge

The new Husky coach definitely has his way of doing things.

Jedd Fisch watches freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. deliver a spring pass. / Skylar Lin Visuals

Following his second University of Washington spring football practice, Jedd Fisch wasn't scheduled to speak with the media. Yet leaving the field on Thursday, he couldn't help himself.

In a misty and chilly Husky Stadium, the new coach called over to large group of journalists waiting to speak to some of his players in a teasing fashion. Fisch had kept everyone outside for this workout whereas the previous coach, Kalen DeBoer, would have conducted practice under cover and comfort in nearby Dempsey Indoor.

Of course, as Fisch saw it, there was a method to this new coach's football madness.

"You guys were hoping we'd be inside, weren't you?" he said with a laugh. "We've got Penn State in November."

Now at Alabama, DeBoer held 9 a.m. UW practices without fail. Fisch prefers the afternoon because that better matches the kickoff start times during the season.

DeBoer unfailing used Husky Stadium as a practice venue because he preferred the grand environment for getting things done. Fisch might use it less and less for workouts because he feels to trod on the game-day setting for anything but a real game is sacrilegious.

Fisch has the music played loud and nonstop during scrimmage-type repetitions, almost to simulate crowd noise, whereas DeBoer would have it turned off during these exercises so everyone could concentrate and hear the coaching directives.

After just two spring practices, the subtle differences between the two most recent UW coaches continue to emerge. Now it's time to see how they differ in utilizing the manpower. The following are some immediate observations:

Senior linebacker Carson Bruener will be a focal part of this defense, a full-time starter, likely a captain and an NFL prospect for the new staff rather than simply a dependable player coming off the bench for two consecutive seasons for reasons still not totally clear. It was as if DeBoer's coaches couldn't see the totality of his game at times.

Redshirt freshman cornerback Leroy Bryant has run as a first-team player for each of the first two days, first alongside Arizona transfer Ephesians Prysock and then in Thursday's practice next to returning first-teamer and junior Elijah Jackson. For those who think the corner starters are a done deal with Prysock and Jackson, don't discount the upward ascension of Bryant, who somehow played in seven games in 2023 and retained his redshirt -- he appeared in all three postseason games, which didn't count against his total. His body language gives off the impression he believes he's a first-teamer.

Indiana transfer Jordan Shaw and freshman wide receiver Jason Robinson Jr. have come ready to play and already showed a little competitive fire. This pair of Southern California products got into the first spring skirmish on the field, pushing and shoving each other following a pass play before they were separated. Shaw later spun around running back Tybo Rogers, which surprised the latter some because the play appeared over. Robinson later unconciously showed off some deft dance steps while waiting for his next practice rep with the music booming overhead.

The immediate feeling is junior Zach Durfee, by the way he carries himself and is being used, is the best edge rusher out there among a host of promising players at that position. With heavy contact still a few practices away, he stepped into a hole on Thursday and wrapped up new running back Jonah Coleman with such authority all of his defensive teammates roared their approval.

Demonstrating that there's still plenty of receiver talent at the UW, 6-foot-4 sophomore Denzel Boston went one-on-one with the highly skilled 6-foot-4 Prysock into the left corner of the end zone, high-pointed the ball from Will Rogers and with two outstretched hands made a sensational catch over the veteran defender. Boston hopped to the sideline in celebration, while receiving a sweeping hand slap from Rogers. Prysock trudged away, somewhat shocked over what had happened to him on the play.

Sophomore Tristan Dunn continues to run at safety, but this staff similarly has used him in a quasi linebacker role, in something akin to a rover, lining him up opposite the tight end and alongside linebacker Anthony Ward, an Arizona transfer and UW player in 2020-21.

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