Huskies Who Went Elsewhere And How They've Fared

Sav'ell Smalls and Kuao Peihopa changed positions, both going from defense to the offensive side. Mishael Powell leads an unbeaten team in interceptions. Asa Turner played one game, got hurt and hasn't returned. Sam Huard hasn't appeared in any outings and he's healthy. Dylan Morris has thrown a solitary pass.

Such are the trials and tribulations for some of the three dozen former University of Washington football players who are wearing different uniforms this season across the college football landscape. Of 36 who transferred out of Montlake, 14 are full-time starters elsewhere.

Powell, who spent five seasons with the Huskies and went from walk-on to starting cornerback and nickelback, has found the best landing spot so far among all of these relocated UW players -- he's a starting safety with a team-best 3 interceptions for an 8-0 Miami team that beat Louisville 52-45 on the road on Saturday.

Showing what a small world it is in the college game guided by the transfer portal, Powell came up and tackled Louisville tight end Mark Redman on a first-quarter pass play over the middle. They were UW teammates in 2020 and 2021. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Redman, a senior, caught a 3-yard touchdown pass against Miami.

A state away, four former Huskies were among those feeling the heat, as well as former UW coach Kalen DeBoer, for a second Alabama loss in seven games this season, this time a 24-17 defeat at Tennessee. Germie Bernard, a junior and the Crimson Tide's second-leading receiver, caught 5 passes for 72 yards, sophomore Parker Brailsford started at center and junior tight end Josh Cuevas and redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Mack didn't appear in the game.

Ethan Garbers, the most visible of four former Husky quarterbacks playing elsewhere, led UCLA to something the Huskies couldn't pull off -- a road win at Rutgers. In a 35-32 victory, Garbers threw touchdown passes of 5, 22, 67 and 9, and ran for a fifth score from 49 yards out. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior completed 32 of 38 passes for 383 yards as he enjoyed a career outing.