Husky Position Battles: Nickelback

One of the most intriguing position battles taking place at Washington this Fall is at nickelback. Both Leroy Bryant and Rahshawn Clark have been rotating at the position for the duration of the offseason. This battle is unique in that it has highlighted the importance of the Fall practice period, with the season just around the corner. If the season had started in May, we probably would have projected Clark, the redshirt freshman, to earn the job. However, Bryant has elevated his game in August, earning the majority of the starting repetitions with the first-team defense. This competition is far closer than it may have looked a few months ago.

Washington Nickelback Competition

The Case for Leroy Bryant

Playing close to the formation is one of the defining characteristics of the nickelback position on defense. This defender must be able to run with motion, pick up and guard tight end and slot receiver routes, and get involved in run defense. Bryant believes he possesses the skills necessary to be versatile at the position. When discussing what he brings to the position, Bryant said, “I definitely think my quickness, my physicality, and my ball skills.” Throughout the offseason, the repeated goal within this defense has been to get their hands on the football. “The message is trying to create more turnovers,” secondary coach John Richardson said this Spring. “We’re getting our hands on a lot of footballs [this Spring], PBU’s, interceptions, and things like that.” Bryant, the third-year sophomore, recorded an interception, a fumble recovery, and a field goal block in the Spring. During Washington’s scrimmage this Fall, Bryant notched another forced fumble. “He don’t rock that zero for nothin’,” Richardson said of Bryant. As a defensive back, wearing the number zero is a statement, and Bryant intends to make that statement with his skills defending the pass and the run. “He doesn’t like the steel benches. For him, he wants to play, and he didn’t come here to sit… He’s making plays.”

The Case for Rahshawn Clark

The former four-star and Seattle native had arguably the most dominant Spring practice of anyone on the roster. Clark unofficially recorded seven interceptions throughout the duration of practice in April. He capped off the month with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup during the Spring Game. “Rahshawn had one of the best Springs on the team,” Fisch said after the Spring Game. “He might have been the MVP of the Spring.” Clark showed a knack for tracking the football, both in the air and on the ground. When defending the pass, Clark’s footwork and body control allow him to run step for step with receivers and get in position to defend the pass. He’s also a hard-hitting tackler who was seemingly everywhere all at once when it came to tackling the ball carrier. “He wants the competition,” Richardson said this Fall. “He’s the same kid as a true freshman that wanted to return punts in the Big Ten.” In addition to his play at nickelback, Clark has been rotating with Kevin Green Jr. on punt returns. He didn’t get the opportunity a season ago with Denzel Boston returning all but one punt on the season. But in 2025, Clark is likely going to be back deep for punts. But at his primary position, Fisch had high praise for Clark after what he showed he could do in April. “He’s a really good football player who’s competitive. We’re going to see a lot of him this year.”