SEATTLE — If it were not already apparent based on the frequency with which Ramzak Fruean has pressured the quarterback throughout Washington Huskies training camp, coach Jedd Fisch removed any doubt after Saturday’s “mock game” at Husky Stadium.
“Ramzak’s going to start for us,” Fisch said. “There’s no question about that.”
Fruean, the four-star prospect from Spanaway’s Bethel High, will give the Huskies a second true freshman starter on the defensive front, with four-star Burien Kennedy Catholic defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa taking No. 1 reps since the first practice of spring.
Fruean was among the Huskies’ top performers in spring, too, mostly repping with the No. 2 defense and immediately flashing as a dynamic pass rusher with elite athleticism at 6-foot-5 and, now, 235 pounds.
With fifth-year edge rusher Isaiah Ward sidelined by injury for much of camp, Fruean stepped in with the No. 1 defense and has regularly used his speed and twitch to race around tackles and into the backfield.
Ward is expected to return this coming week, Fisch said, and he’ll compete for snaps along with players like Logan George, Devin Hyde and Russell Davis II.
The starting job opposite fourth-year Jacob Lane, though, belongs to the freshman.
Fruean’s impact has been so consistent that Fisch endorsed him, unprompted, while speaking with reporters Aug. 11.
“We have by far the most depth we’ve had in the defensive line room since I’ve been here, or anywhere in the last six years,” Fisch said that day. “We’ve got a lot of playmakers, and a lot of guys that are going to make a difference — starting with No. 11, Ramzak.”
Even during Saturday’s semi-scrimmage, Fruean combined with Colman-Brusa on a “sack” of quarterback Dash Beierly, pressured Beierly on another dropback that might have resulted in a sack, and combined with a couple teammates to stuff a run by tailback Ansu Sanoe.
As in past years, the mock game didn’t provide quite as much to evaluate as, say, last weekend’s scrimmage. Statistics were difficult to track, because the ball generally moved on a scripted basis, and not commensurate with yardage gained or lost. Several starters and/or likely contributors suited up but did not participate, including linebackers Jacob Manu, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and Xe’ree Alexander; offensive linemen Champ Taulealea and Landen Hatchett; cornerback Dylan Robinson (who indicated recently he’ll return to action on Sunday); edge rusher Isaiah Ward; tailback Jayden Limar; and receivers Dezmen Roebuck and Jordan Clay.
Fisch said the Huskies “should have everyone back, or close to it, starting (with) practice tomorrow. Then we’ve got to get going, and we’ve got to figure out a way to see how good we can get.”
Here’s what else to know about Saturday’s event: