30 Day Countdown, Day 15: Breakout Defensive Player
· Yahoo Sports
DC Ryan Walter’s Husky defense enters year three of the Jedd Fisch rebuild with a unit that looks stacked with proven veterans on paper, such as LB Jacob Manu, LB Xe’ree Alexander, S Alex McLaughlin, and transfer CB Manny Karnley. However, there are handful of younger and previously injured players who have turned heads this fall camp, and many of them will be stepping into bigger roles the Big Ten. Here are five defenders worth watching closely for a potential breakout season this year.
Before getting into it, it’s worth defining what “breakout” actually means for this list. For the true freshmen, that bar is Freshman All-American. For everyone else, it’s earning first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors. To the list!
Visit esporist.com for more information.
LB Zaydrius Raney-SaleRainey-Sale arrived on campus as one of the more talented linebacker recruits in recent Husky history, but a torn ACL derailed his momentum from his freshman season. Now healthy again, he’s pushing for the starting job next to Jacob Manu, and his physical tools at 6-2 and 240 pounds make that an enticing pairing. If he can stay on the field, Rainey-Sale has the kind of, speed, range and instincts that could make Washington’s linebacker corps one of the best in the country. His ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage make him a valuable asset.
S Rylon Dillard-AllenDillard-Allen started three games as a true freshman last season, so he’s already established himself somewhat within the program. What he showed was a player who was physical, confident, and unafraid of contact, which earned him the nickname “Batman.” Dillard-Allen is another highly rated recruit looking to become a full time starter in his second season, but his fly-around-the-field physical playing style has seen him crossing the line into foul territory a few too many times during fall camp. As reported by many close to the program, safeties coach Taylor Mays continues to work with him on playing up to the line, with discipline.
DL Derek Coleman-Brusa / Ramzak FrueanA year behind Dillar-Allen and Rainey-Sale is the true freshmen duo of Coleman-Brusa and Fruean. These two true freshmen represent the kind of immediate talent infusion up front that many programs hope for. Colman-Brusa was basically handed a starting defensive tackle job once he arrived on campus and he profiles as a disruptive, versatile player who can win from multiple alignments up front. Fruean, meanwhile, has been in the mix pushing for reps as an edge rusher, with his length and speed. Washington doesn’t have a clear number one guy at edge rusher so there’s a big opportunity for Fruean to really establish himself. Between the two of them, there will be plenty of snaps to go around.
CB Dylan RobinsonRobinson started five games as a freshman, and the belief in his ceiling is not hidden around the program, with coaches talking about him as an eventual first-round pick. That kind of praise raises expectations fast, and Robinson will get the chance to prove it in a starters role opposite Arizona transfer Manny Karnley. He has rare tools and the look of an NFL player at 6-3 with speed and fluidity to stick with athletic receivers. If his coverage skills catch up to his physical tools, he could be the breakout name people are talking about.
DB Rashawn ClarkClark is another second year defender who’s started games in his short career. This time, as a redshirt freshman in 2025 before shoulder surgery ended his season, and now he’s working his way back into the nickel role he got a lot of reps at. His return from injury is one of the quieter but more meaningful storylines on this defense heading into the fall. He’s a ball hawk and playmaker at the position, with 21 tackles and two tackles for loss in his 387 snaps.
I’m going with ZRS, the type of player who would be a starter on most UW defenses of the past 20 or more years. Paired next to Jacob Manu, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to make plays both rushing the passer, clogging up running lanes, and dropping back into coverage. He’s got the best mixture on this list of talent and opportunity, and it’s not hard to see an all conference season coming for him.
Who do you think will be the Huskies breakout defensive star?