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2024 Washington Huskies season opener depth chart: Defensive line

By Ethan Lee

Sep 2, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Isaiah Ward (90) makes a tackle agaisnt Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Niko Haen (12) during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zac BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Isaiah Ward (90) makes a tackle agaisnt Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Niko Haen (12) during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zac BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports / Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
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The 2024 Washington Huskies season opener is hours away and the Huskies are set to welcome the Weber State Wildcats to Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the first time this evening. As the Huskies get set to face the Wildcats, the defensive line has taken shape under new head coach Jedd Fisch and new defensive coordinator Steve Belichick.

The Huskies have had some solid defensive units in recent seasons, but things have changed in some pretty drastic ways over the past eight months. Now heading into the Big Ten, the Washington Huskies’ defensive line will take on some intriguing tests.

And this evening, we’re going to see what the Huskies look like up front on the defensive side of things. Here’s what the depth chart looks like on that side of the ball right now. 

Washington Huskies vs. Weber State: Huskies set on defensive line

Sophomore Isaiah Ward is lining up on the edge of the defensive front, weighing in at 6-5 and 227 pounds. Ward spent the past couple of seasons with Fisch down in Arizona on the Wildcats’ defensive line and he started 11 games for the Wildcats last season.

Sebastian Valdez is lining up at defensive tackle and the seasoned transfer from Montana State brings some impressive credentials of his own. Last year, against Big Sky competition, Valdez was disruptive and productive, racking up 40 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks.

Then there’s Jayvon Parker, who was very active for the Huskies in 2023, when he played in 13 of the 15 games from last season. Parker, now a junior, also played in eight games as a true freshman for the Huskies back in 2022. 

Zach Durfee is lined up on the other edge and the 6-5, 256 pound defensive end from Minnesota is finally getting a shot to play for the Huskies for a full season. He spent a couple years at the University of Sioux Falls and then made his way to Washington in 2023, but was unable to play until the postseason. Now the Huskies will finally get to see Durfee get some meaningful playing time this season.

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