Washington Huskies freshman Derek Colman-Brusa learning new position this spring
Hopefully, Derek Colman-Brusa hasn't rented his tuxedo quite yet.
Colman-Brusa, a 6-foot-5 freshman defensive lineman, has been enrolled at UW since January. Senior prom at Kennedy Catholic High, where Colman-Brusa emerged as the state's top football recruit during the 2026 recruiting cycle, is one of the last high school events the 17-year-old Colman-Brusa has remaining while he transitions into the next phase of his football journey.
The only problem? Colman-Brusa isn't the 267-pound edge rusher who signed with UW in December. During his three months in Washington's weight room this winter, he added nearly 30 pounds. All in preparation for Colman-Brusa's move into the interior, where he has anchored UW's first-choice defense with junior defensive tackle Elinneus Davis for most of the spring.
And while the 295-pound Colman-Brusa said he's happy to play wherever coach Jedd Fisch and defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi envision him, the Seattle native admitted he's been surprised how quickly he's been able to add the weight and strength.
"I always saw myself as kind of a smaller end," he said. "But our strength staff and nutrition staff have been doing an unbelievable job getting me strong. Getting me right."
Colman-Brusa and the Washington defense enjoyed a productive ninth practice under beautiful blue skies Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium. The Huskies spent a significant amount of the practice scrimmaging, with Colman-Brusa getting important full-contact repetitions in the heart of UW's defensive line.
"That's why high school kids want to come to Washington," Fisch said. "They know that we don't get into 'Are you old? Are you young? Are you experienced? Are you not? Are you the best player at your position?' If you are, we're going to play you."
Colman-Brusa's move inside is an interesting decision. At Kennedy Catholic, he played most of his snaps on the edge, where he made 66 tackles for a loss including 34 sacks. He was ranked the No. 19 edge rusher in the 2026 cycle by the 247Sports composite rankings.
But at UW this spring, Colman-Brusa has predominantly played inside. His physical frame and football background profile similarly to former Husky Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, Davis' most frequent partner from a season ago.
Uiagalelei spent three seasons at Arizona bouncing between edge rusher and defensive tackle before reuniting with Fisch and Kaufusi at UW in 2025. The 6-4, 285-pound Uiagalelei played exclusively inside during his lone season with the Huskies, starting 13 games and making 20 tackles including two sacks.
He also generated 23 pressures, fourth among Big Ten defensive tackles. Only Indiana duo Mario Landino and Tyrique Tucker and Maryland's Cam Rice managed more than Uiagalelei.
In Colman-Brusa, the Huskies have a player with a similar pass-rush background to Uiagalelei with a larger frame. The true freshman said his speed, honed in high school to get around tackles, has translated well to the interior where he can use it to blow up blocks before they set.
Of course, Colman-Brusa - who turns 18 on April 28 - said he still has a lot to learn while he adjusts to his new role. He said taking on double teams, for example, is relatively new to him since edge rushers generally get one-on-one matchups with tackles. But Colman-Brusa said being able to lean on veteran players like Davis, who has played 25 games at UW during the past two seasons, has been crucial to growing his understanding of the position
"He's been a great help learning the plays and getting the scheme down," Colman-Brusa said. "Can't say enough good things about the guy."
Colman-Brusa also credited his growth to the friendly competition he's enjoyed with the offensive linemen. He said he spent the winter workouts trying to best his lifting partner - freshman left tackle Kodi Greene - in various exercises. Colman-Brusa said he thought his bench press and squat were marginally better than Greene's, but admitted the former five-star prospect got the better of him in the power clean and the overhead press.
On the field, Colman-Brusa said competing against sophomore left guard John Mills has given him a lot of insight, and added that Mills has offered him a lot of advice about playing significantly as a true freshman.
But the matchup Colman-Brusa relishes the most is against his brother. Lowen Colman-Brusa, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, has spent most of the spring at guard, giving the siblings plenty of opportunities to line up against each other. Derek Colman-Brusa said playing against his brother has been the most memorable part of his first spring practices.
"We played (together) in high school," Derek Colman-Brusa said, "but to play with him at the college level is truly unbelievable."
Extra points:
* Fisch reiterated that sophomore running back Jordan Washington will miss the rest of spring practices as he recovers from the neck injury suffered during UW's third spring practice, and will be reevaluated during the summer. With Oregon transfer Jayden Limar (ankle) and Troy transfer Trey Cooley (ACL rehab) unavailable, UW has given a lot of repetitions to redshirt freshman tailback Quaid Carr and true freshmen Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe, along with walk-on tailback Ryken Moon.
* Veteran safety CJ Christian will miss the entire 2026 season, Fisch announced, after suffering an Achilles tendon injury Tuesday. Christian, who transferred to UW from FIU before the 2025 season, played in one game before missing the rest of the past season because of a turf toe injury.
* Fisch also announced true freshman wide receiver Jordan Clay, fifth-year Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss and redshirt freshman Ohio State transfer Bodpegn Miller are all currently rehabbing soft-tissue injuries.
* Washington ran around 120 plays during Saturday's scrimmage period, Fisch said. The defense did not allow a touchdown during the nine contact drives while forcing one turnover - an interception by sophomore cornerback Dylan Robinson, who made an acrobatic effort to secure an attempted shovel pass by junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. inside the defense's 10-yard line.
* Williams tallied the longest completion of the practice, connecting with junior wideout Rashid Williams for 25 yards along the left sideline. Demond Williams Jr. was 9-for-17 passing during the contact scrimmage periods. Sophomore tight end Decker DeGraaf was his favorite target Saturday, making four catches.
* Sophomore safety Paul Mencke Jr. had a solid day, notably bringing down Sanoe for a two-yard loss during a full-contact period and intercepting sophomore quarterback Elijah Brown during a 7-on-7 period.
* Senior edge rusher Jacob Lane, freshman edge rusher Ramzak Fruean, and Davis all registered tackles for a loss, while junior Logan George was credited with a sack. Sophomore defensive back Rahim Wright II also disrupted a screen to bring down Rashid Williams for a loss.
* Texas State transfer kicker Tyler Robles was 3-for-5, making attempts from 35 yards, 36 yards and 43 yards but missing both his attempts from 50 yards. Freshman CJ Wallace went 2-for-2, converting from 35 yards and 26 yards.
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