The wait is over Husky fans! It’s finally game week, and there’s a lot to be excited about as the season gets underway. One of the biggest points of interest every year is the inaugural depth chart to kick off the season, especially with the tight ship that Kalen DeBoer runs in regards to closing off practices to the media. So with that being said, what will the two-deeps look like ahead of DeBoer’s press conference on Monday?

Quarterback

Starter: Michael Penix Jr.

Backup: Dylan Morris

This one’s easy, don’t need to spend a lot of time or effort on this one, as Kalen DeBoer revealed what the depth will look like at the quarterback position when he announced on Tuesday that Penix would be the starter.

 Running back

Starter: Wayne Taulapapa

Backup: Cameron Davis

Taulapapa has been getting the majority of the carries over the course of fall camp, and sources have said that the coaching staff is very high on the transfer from Virginia, who will be serving as a team captain in 2022. As Davis continues to work his way back from the injury that kept him out for all of spring ball, it does sound like the staff is very excited about what he brings to the offense, but haven’t been giving him a ton of carries mainly to make sure he stays healthy for the season. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the two backs get a similar amount of touches, or if these roles eventually flip, and Davis becomes the bell cow.

Wide receiver

Starters: Jalen McMillan, Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk

Backups: Giles Jackson, Junior Alexander, Taj Davis

This is going to be one of the best receiver groups in the conference. Odunze, McMillan, and Polk all have the opportunity to end the season as all-conference players, and in the new offense, they’re going to get plenty of opportunities to make a name for themselves. Behind them, Jackson, Alexander, and Davis are going to get their fair share as well, especially Jackson. He’s been utilized all over the formation throughout spring and fall camp, and is going to be a threat to score any time he steps on the field. This is going to be the best group of receivers Washington has had in a very long time.

Tight end

Starter: Devin Culp

Backup: Jack Westover

The utilization of tight ends in DeBoer’s offense is going to be very interesting to watch. Culp and Westover have both had different roles in the offense throughout fall camp, and unlike John Donovan’s offense, there probably won’t be a lot of two tight end sets on the field. Both have shown to be reliable blockers when given the opportunity, and while Culp might be utilized more on deep crossers and big plays, Westover could be the safety blanket and chain mover on third downs.

Offensive line

Starters (from left to right): Jaxson Kirkland, Troy Fautanu, Corey Luciano, Henry Bainivalu, Roger Rosengarten

Backups: Nate Kalepo, Julius Buelow, Geirean Hatchett, Victor Curne, Matteo Mele

Jaxson Kirkland coming back was just an extra boost to what was already an incredibly talented group up front. One of the biggest changes from 2021 to 2022 for the entire team has been their nutrition. John Donovan had the previous strength and conditioning staff bulk up the 2021 offensive line so they could operate his power run scheme. The leaner and meaner line in 2022 will also have a much better scheme to work with, and we should see a big jump from where Washington’s line was last season.

Defensive Tackle

Starters: Tuli Letuligasenoa, Kuao Peihopa

Backups: Voi Tunuufi, Faatui Tuitele

I struggled with this one for a while. Outside of Tuli Letuligasenoa, everyone is pretty interchangeable at this point in time. If Tuitele came back a little earlier into camp, there would be no doubt that he’d be the other starter, even if Ulumoo Ale were fully healthy. Right now, Peihopa’s reps and tenacity as a run defender gave him the edge for the second spot, but if all goes right for the Huskies on the interior, this group is going to wreak havoc.

Edge

Starters: Jeremiah Martin, Zion Tupuola-Fetui

Backups: Bralen Trice, Sav’ell Smalls

This one is super interchangeable between Martin, ZTF, and Trice. The coaching staff has called them three “high-end” edge rushers, and it feels like they’re going to be utilized in different situations. While we won’t see who’s going to be used in what situation until the Huskies take the field against Kent State, one thing’s certain, ZTF will always be on the field for third and long situations. Smalls has come a long way this fall, and Husky fans should be delighted to hear that it seems like he’s next up on the edge alongside Maurice Heims.

Linebacker

Starters: Cam Bright, Alphonzo Tuputala

Backups: Kris Moll, Carson Bruener

Cam Bright is going to be extremely productive in the middle of the defense, and even though Carson Bruener had an excellent end to the 2021 season, it looks like the coaching staff has really taken to Alphonzo Tuputala. He was a favorite of the Petersen and Lake regimes as well before an Achilles injury caused him to miss most of the 2021 season. He’s been running alongside Bright for most of fall camp, and should become a household name in 2022.

Cornerback

Starters: Jordan Perryman, Davon Banks

Backups: Mishael Powell, Elijah Jackson

Here’s the shocker. Mishael Powell was excellent in relief of Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon in 2021, and he seemed to be penciled in for a starting spot this season. Enter Davon Banks. The recruitment of Banks was one of the most puzzling cases in recent memory. He went from totally unranked, to an 89 (a low four-star) on 247 Sports after committing to Washington, which was the only school to offer him. Sources have said that Banks is “the best player in the room,” even with transfer Jordan Perryman on the other side, who looks like one of the best cornerbacks in the Pac-12.

HUSKY

Starter: Dominique Hampton

Backup: Kamren Fabiculanen

The Husky position is going to be the key to the defense, and this is the role recruiting fans have been clamoring to see Hampton in since he arrived on campus. This role includes the ability to rush the passer, play man and zone coverage, and be the first man to make contact on ball carriers off the edge. Fabiculanen seems primed to step in and fill the role too if needed, and freshman Tristan Dunn is a name to watch at the position too.

Safety

Starters: Alex Cook, Asa Turner

Backups: Cam Williams, Julius Irvin

The starters at safety seem like they’ve been locked in for quite a while, the more interesting battle has been for the backups. Cam Williams and Julius Irvin got the nod here due to their experience, and the other names to watch here are Vince Nunley and Makell Esteen. Nunley has come a long way since he first stepped on campus, and he would be a candidate to break into the two deeps later in the season.