Speedy Bryant Will Make LB Even Far More Interesting for New Staff

The defense's second row could be the best collection of Husky talent for coach Jedd Fisch.

A lot of manpower departed the University of Washington's national runner-up team over the past two months, bound for the NFL, Alabama and all points across the Southeastern Conference, suggesting the football cupboard was left bare for new coach Jedd Fisch.

While that's true at some position areas, in particular on the offensive line and at wide receiver, linebacker stands to be surprisingly well stocked for what it offers the new staff now preparing for spring ball.

Sixth-year senior Alphonzo Tuputala is one of the two returning starters Fisch inherits, someone who finished fourth in tackles last season with 69 and was an All-Pac-12 honorable-mention selection in 2022.

While starting just one game last fall, senior Carson Bruener turned in consecutive games of 14 tackles, finished third on the team with 86 tackles and was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a reserve player, no easy feat.

Fisch, of course, signed San Jose State transfer Bryun Parnum to increase the competition, bringing in a senior with 318 career tackles, including 106 last season, and this was a player who earned All-Mountain West honorable-mention honors for the Spartans.

The new coach obviously knows all about sixth-year senior Drew Fowler, who's played in 40 games and was considered so experienced and valuable he was awarded a two-year scholarship, retroactive aid included, for his dedicated service by Fisch.

Someone the new defensive staff probably doesn't know a whole lot about but will have plenty of time throughout April and into early May to learn about his game is redshirt freshman Deven Bryant, a 5-foot-11, 216-pound speedster who should be the fastest player among those bidding for game time on the second row.

Deven Bryant (17) got a chance to soak up the national championship atmosphere in Houston / Skylar Lin Visuals

Kalen DeBoer's coaching staff was sorely tempted to use this Bryant a lot more last season, but resisted sending him out there in excess of his four-game playing limit during the regular season, keeping his four-year eligibility intact, which bodes very well for the guys in charge now. He'll be a player to watch when spring practice opens in 19 days.

"I'll be ready to go," Bryant promised before the Sugar Bowl. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing."

This was a guy who emerged from Southern California's St. John Bosco powerhouse program as one of the more decorated high school players at any position in his talent-rich area for what was considered the nation's No. 1 schoolboy team in 2022, getting named by the Los Angeles Times as its "Back of the Year," a category that included rushers and passers. 

In his college debut, Bryant was all over the field in last year's Husky opener against Boise State, picking up four tackles on one fourth-quarter drive alone.

Deven Bryant (17) made his college debut against Boise State and had 4 tackles / Skylar Lin Visuals

He pulled snaps against Tulsa, Michigan State and California before the previous UW staff shut him down. For the rest of the season, he learned from the best in graduated All-Pac-12 linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio, one-time USC and UW player Ralen Goforth, and Tuputala and Bruener.

Entering the Big Ten as a new member this coming season, the Huskies will need all hands on deck, especially guys who can run like Bryant.

"We've got a lot of teams from all over the country coming into one collective conference," he said. "I'm looking forward to playing some Big Ten football."

With spring practice coming fast, Bryant appears ready for the big challenge, to impress the new staff, to shift his career into overdrive. 

---

 

Go to si.com/college/washington to read the latest Inside the Huskies stories.

Follow Dan Raley of Inside the Huskies on X — @DanRaley1 or @UWFanNation.

Find Inside the Huskies on Facebook — at Inside the Huskies/FanNation at SI.com or https://www.facebook.com/dan.raley.12