Washington added one of the top available tackles in the transfer portal, Kansas State’s Carver Willis, and also made significant improvements to the front seven, which was just as big of a weakness in 2024. They added a trio of experienced linebackers and three defensive linemen who look like they could improve the strength and physicality of the front.

Fisch also added one of his best players from his time at Arizona, Tacario Davis, who was ranked as the best cornerback in the transfer portal. Combined with Northern Arizona safety Alex McLaughlin, who was rated as a four-star transfer by On3, secondary coach John Richardson looks like he made significant improvements to his group, even after losing All-Big Ten honorable mention Thaddeus Dixon to the portal.

Most of Washington’s struggles can be attributed to a few issues: a lack of experience along the offensive line and a lack of both depth and physicality along the defensive line. Fisch’s staff made a concerted effort to address those needs ahead of the 2025 season, and it seems to have done a solid job ahead of its second year in Seattle.