Derek Colman-Brusa was the only true freshman to be at the podium during the National Signing Day Press conference. He signed (like all the rest) in the early signing period, so he's been on campus already, working out and getting on the Washington football team schedule. He was asked who in the weight room had impressed him the most so far, and his answer was revealing.
At first, the questioner was probing about upperclassmen, but when he explained he's currently only been working out with the other freshman, he answered the question with a smile on his face, "I think it's definitely me, Kodi Greene, and TI (Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais) that are putting up the big numbers." The other players on the podium with him gave a chuckle to that answer.
The UW freshman are making early impressions on Jedd Fisch and their teammates
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He may have named the biggest three players in the recruiting class as the top weight movers, so it shouldn't be that big of a surprise, but it should be encouraging. Two of those three are among the best recruits in the 2026 recruiting class.
Greene was the top lineman in the state of California and a 5-star recruit out of Mater Dei. He's projected to be a true freshman starter on the Husky offensive line. He's already impressing in the weight room.
Colman-Brusa was a 4-star defensive end out of Kennedy Catholic in Seattle, and he already looks like the Hulk. He's 6'5 and listed at 267, yet you can tell he knows how to take advantage of a weight room.
Finally, he said "TI," which is Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais, another offensive lineman like Greene. He's listed at 6'3 and 307 pounds. He was listed as a high-ceiling 3-star prospect from Colorado. While he's not projected to start his first year, if he's hanging with Colman-Brusa and Greene in the weight room, that can only mean good things are coming for him.
Fisch described the freshman class as full of joy and fierce competitors. He's already seen their "flavor" and "fire" in just these few weeks, and he joked that he will have to "watch out for that." It seems as if this freshman class holds a lot of promise already, and they are only lifting weights. Good things are coming for the 2026 class.