UW Will Emphasize Adding DL Depth From Transfer Portal

The Huskies will lose a lot of experience at the end of the season.

The Washington Huskies coaching staff is preparing to replace its entire starting defensive line after the season. Defensive tackles Tuli Letuligasenoa and Ulumoo Ale along with edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui will all be out of eligibility, and junior Bralen Trice is expected to forgo his final year to enter the NFL draft.

While the Huskies have promising young players waiting to move into bigger roles such as defensive tackle Jayvon Parker and edge rushers Zach Durfee and Lance Holtzclaw, the coaching staff needs to add at least two or three players to the rotation.

Kalen DeBoer's staff has shown plenty of interest in adding experienced players through the portal, especially at defensive tackle. The Huskies have five talented commits in the 2024 recruiting class along the defensive line, but bringing in veterans will help bridge the gap as Washington makes the move to the Big Ten.

It appears the top target up front is Pennsylvania defensive tackle Joey Slackman, who would bring a  productive presence to the middle of the defense. However, the UW coaching staff will need to add multiple bodies to compete with the Big Ten teams that run the ball at a much higher rate than some Pac-12 teams.

The Huskies also have extended offers to a few former SEC defenders who could make a impact against the run. One is Vanderbilt graduate transfer Nate Clifton, who would be a stopgap that can mentor the underclassmen while providing a physical presence in the middle.

Another option is redshirt freshman Isaiah Hastings, a former 4-star recruit who spent two years at Alabama but appeared in only one game. While he doesn't have the experience DeBoer's staff might be looking for, he has the physical profile at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, and could develop into an impact player in the middle of the defense.

Washington's coaching staff has done an admirable job in recruiting talent to the defensive line, but acquiring it through the transfer portal is just as important if not more for continuing the success the Huskies have seen so far under DeBoer in 2024. 

The defense has taken steps to improve against the run and will need as much experience as possible to make that happen. The transfer portal holds plenty of options for teams that are looking to bolster their rosters, and the Huskies should be among the suitors for top defenders.

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