Washington’s receiving ranks were thinned this offseason by a quartet of transfer portal departures, which left receiver Dezmen Roebuck without much of a supporting cast.
However, the Huskies have since landed two receivers, Kennesaw State’s Christian Moss and Ohio State’s Bodpegn Miller, via the transfer portal. These additions will certainly aid Washington’s passing attack in 2026, but how will they affect Roebuck’s role in the offense?
Dezmen Roebuck could be moved to slot receiver in 2026
Washington’s biggest two losses at receiver this offseason were starting X and WR1 Denzel Boston, who left for the NFL Draft, and true freshman Raiden Vines-Bright, who transferred to Arizona State despite starting most of the year as Washington’s slot receiver.
Their exits left the Huskies with two big holes at wide and slot receiver. However, the additions of big-bodied wideouts Moss and Miller indicate that Roebuck, who lined up out wide on 74% of his 640 offensive snaps last season, could be destined for a slot receiver role.
Moss, who stands 6-foot-3 and 199 pounds, lined up out wide for 720 of his offensive 813 snaps in 2025. He’s a deep-ball and contested-catch weapon who will likely assume Boston’s role as Washington’s primary deep threat.
If Washington had only signed Moss, Roebuck’s role in 2026 would likely have remained unchanged. However, Wednesday’s addition of Miller complicates things for receivers coach Kevin Cummings.
Miller stands 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds, and at times he looks even bigger. The former Buckeye played quarterback and defensive back (and basketball and track) in high school, so he’s still growing as a receiver, but his physical potential is undeniable.
If Miller, who redshirted as a freshman in 2025, can produce out wide in 2026, Roebuck could be forced to move into the slot. The same thing could happen if 6-foot-4 Justice Williams and 6-foot-1 Rashid Williams can get healthy, or if 6-foot-2 Chris Lawson continues to develop.
A move inside wouldn’t be the worst thing for Roebuck. The rising sophomore stands 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, which is a little small by true X receiver standards. In Dec. 2024, 247Sports’ Scott Eklund described Roebuck as “the quintessential slot receiver in today's college football” due to his smaller stature, “elite quickness”, and “soft hands.”
However, Eklund also acknowledged that if Roebuck can build strength, he could also be used outside as a downfield threat. Roebuck’s abilities out wide were displayed in 2025, and it’s possible that Cummings and head coach Jedd Fisch keep him there in 2026.
Dezmen Roebuck’s role could be determined by a lack of options behind him
If Roebuck stays healthy, he’s going to start for the Huskies in 2026. However, the pecking order behind Roebuck is likely to be what determines whether he’s starting on the outside or in the slot.
More specifically, this year’s starting lineup may be determined by the answer to the following question: Who’s harder to defend, Washington’s third option on the outside or second option on the inside?
The last few months have seen the Huskies land a variety of large receivers. Moss and Miller came through the transfer portal, but Washington also signed 6-foot-2 wideouts Jordan Clay and Blaise LaVista as part of the team’s 2026 recruiting class. With three big bodies (Lawson and the two Williamses) already on the roster, two more coming in via the portal, and another two entering as true freshmen, the Huskies now have plenty of options out wide.
However, Washington has far less proven production in the slot. In fact, not a single one of Washington’s returning receivers played primarily in the slot in 2025. If Rashid Williams, who played 32/46 snaps on the outside in 2025, doesn’t bump inside this year, Washington’s only feasible non-Roebuck options will be incoming four-star freshmen Trez Davis and Mason James.
Davis, who stands 6-foot-0 and 180 pounds, is a projected slot contributor, while James will likely be limited to the slot by his 5-foot-10, 175-pound frame. We know Fisch is willing to play freshman, so both will certainly have opportunities in camp, but I’d be surprised to see either get more interior reps than UW’s more proven threats will get on the outside.
Unless Davis or James can win the starting slot role in camp, as Vines-Bright did in 2025, Roebuck will likely become Washington’s starting slot receiver in 2026.