A Closer Look at Washington's Safety Depth

After the departure of Alex Cook, what does the back end of Washington's defense look like?

Washington is looking to take a step forward on the defensive side of the ball in 2023 and quality safety play could be a huge factor in limiting opposing offenses. After the graduation of Alex Cook, the Huskies don't need to look far for his replacement.

Dominique Hampton will slide in next to Asa Turner, giving Washington an experienced pair of seniors at the position. Although when it comes to the depth behind them, the talent is there but the majority of the position is unproven at the college level.

Starting with the most experienced member of the group, sophomore Makell Esteen has played in nine games and the future is bright for the product of Lawndale High School. He proved that he can be a ball hawk, grabbing two interceptions in 2022, which tied him for the team lead. 

If he can take a step forward as a tackler in 2023, Esteen will be an impactful member of the secondary going forward. His running mate on the depth chart in the foreseeable future will almost certainly be redshirt freshman Tristan Dunn.

The coaching staff is high on Dunn, the former four-star prospect from Sumner, Washington, who offers versatility to go with a high ceiling. He played the Husky position a lot during his freshman season and has a future at either slot (pun intended) in the secondary.

Then there's redshirt freshman Vincent Nunley, who brings plenty of potential but hasn't had an opportunity to shine yet. Nunley got to see the field against Kent State in the 2022 season opener but was sidelined for the rest of the year because of a knee injury.

Freshmen safeties Vincent Holmes and Diesel Gordon also look like they have bright futures, but likely won't carry huge responsibilities during their first year on campus. If the Huskies can figure out a solid rotation at safety, it will help solidify their entire defense.

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