Joel Klatt buying stock in Washington, Jedd Fisch for 2025 season

Jedd Fisch landed in Seattle last offseason following the Huskies’ most successful two-year stint in recent memory. Having to piece together a new team from the ashes of Kalen DeBoer’s 2023 national runner up, Fisch went on to lead Washington to a 6-7 record in his first season leading the program.

The Huskies are aided by a favorable schedule this fall. They’ll have to take on the likes on Ohio State and Oregon during the regular season, but other than that could control their own fate in the Big Ten. That’s not to say they can’t take that next step, according to FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt. They don’t play any other Power Four teams outside of the Big Ten Conference.

“Washington should pop this year. I don’t feel like enough people are paying attention to what’s going on in Seattle,” Klatt said on his show. “I really like what Jedd Fisch is doing as Seattle. Again, 6-7 a year ago. And if you look at their trio, at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, it’s up there with anybody in the Big Ten.

“So, can they move forward and progress and develop and capitalize on their ability from last season to beat USC and beat Michigan? Can they continue to play at that level?”

QB Demond Willams, RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston are expected to have their way with Big Ten defenses this season. All three are returning to the program for their second season under Fisch in Seattle.

Coleman was a 1,000-yard rusher last season who followed Fisch from his previous stop, Arizona. Boston was a part of the 2023 team that went to the national championship game. Meanwhile, Williams spent his true freshman season in Seattle but was originally committed to Arizona as well.

Fisch ultimately spent three seasons in Tucson. The first season with Arizona saw the Wildcats finish 1-11. By the time he left, Arizona was a 10-win team. Who’s to say he can’t make that jump in year two in Seattle? Klatt believes it’s possible.

“Jedd Fisch has done this before,” Klatt said. “He has built programs. He did this at Arizona. He’s in the process of doing it at Washington. This is the type of schedule and the type of offense, in particular, with help on the defensive side through transfers and defensive coordinator as a 6-7 team last year.

“It’s an easy buy by Washington for 2025. I think that’s an eight, nine, maybe 10-win team.”