Changes are coming to the Washington Huskies defense in 2023, and the transfer portal is a big reason for it.
In college football, change is inevitable. The Washington Huskies linebacker group will have more turnover next season.
Outgoing
The Huskies have depth issues at the inside linebacker spots. Cam Bright had an outstanding season in 2022, his lone season with UW after transferring from Pittsburgh. He is out of eligibility.
We look at the linebackers who will return to Washington for another season, along with any new additions.
Coming Back
A familiar name, though not a starter, will return for his third season at UW. Carson Bruener may not have started last season, but he played plenty of football. He’ll have a good chance to win the spot vacated by Bright.
In two college seasons, Bruener played in 21 games with 115 tackles, including 6.0 for loss. Last year, Bruener was named to the All-Pac-12 first team on special teams.
At the weakside linebacker spot Edefuan Ulofoshio, a rising senior to be is expected to start. Last year Ulofoshio missed the first eight games of the season after a knee injury.
He did play in the Huskies last five games. A healthy Ulofoshio will help the Huskies out quite well as he can put pressure on the passer.
While he was out, Alphonso Tuputala started in his place. Tuputala did well for UW, he was second on the team in tackles 71, including 3 sacks. That earned him Pac-12 Honorable Mention.
Portal Addition
Recently, the Washington Huskies added a graduate transefer from USC, Ralen Goforth. Over the last two seasons, Goforth made 103 stops.
He pays the same position as Bruener, so it will be a good competition in camp. Either way, the Huskies will have experience in the middle.
New Talent
The Washington Huskies have two incoming freshmen at inside linebacker and they’re both three-star recruits. Deven Bryant out of Bellflower, California and Jordan Whitney from Oxnard, California will have a hard time cracking the lineup early on.
If they do play, it will likely be on special teams. On the other hand, one or both could be redshirted if they don’t play more than four games.
The Huskies could also add another linebacker or two through the transfer portal.
Next up in part 4 are the edge rushers. Go Dawgs.
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