Does new starter Parker Brailsford remind you of another Huskies lineman?

Other thoughts on Washington's initial depth chart, plus insight from Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb and Chuck Morrell.

Parker Brailsford was a semi-surprise starter on Washington’s first depth chart of the season. (Photo courtesy of UW Football)

SEATTLE — It’s always been easy to compare Parker Brailsford to Nick Harris, though one of the undersized offensive linemen arrived at Washington with a bit more acclaim.

The recruiting profile for Harris, an interior o-line prospect out of Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra in the 2016 class, listed him at 6-1 and 272 pounds. Brailsford, an interior prospect out of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro in 2022, was listed at 6-2, 275. Though Harris played tackle in high school, both players projected as centers in college. Both came from successful high-school programs. 

Brailsford did receive far more recruiting attention, as 247Sports rated him the No. 522 overall prospect in his class, whereas Washington was the only FBS school to offer Harris a scholarship. But o-line coach Scott Huff doesn’t need much prodding to enumerate their similarities.

Both players are “scrappy and tough,” Huff said earlier this month, and both are reputed for their football IQ and athleticism — though Harris is “twitchier,” and Brailsford “more weight-room strong.”

“Big personalities, easy to get along with, knows when to be serious, knows when it’s good to let it loose,” Huff said. “(Brailsford) gets along with all the guys on the team, just like Nick did. He’s got some of those leadership qualities.”

Also, on Brailsford: “I can’t say enough about the guy. I love him. I’m a huge fan of his.”

Must be. Brailsford, now a redshirt freshman, is poised to make his college debut against Boise State on Saturday as Washington’s starting right guard, the only semi-surprise on the Huskies’ first official depth chart of the season.