The Huskies are one player lighter in the front seven after Jonathan Epperson Jr.'s departure
The Washington Huskies football team has remained busy during the transfer portal period.
The Huskies have added several defensive linemen, an offensive lineman and a cornerback and they are still looking for offensive help.
But on the other side, the linebackers room got one body lighter.
True freshman linebacker Jonathan Epperson Jr. intends to enter the transfer portal, according to a report from 247Sports and CBS Sports writer Chris Hummer.
Epperson is a local kid out of Auburn, Wash., and was a four-star recruit in the class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite. Epperson was ranked as the 48th-best linebacker according to the Composite and the second-best player in Washington.
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Epperson only played in one game in 2025, as his lone game of action was the Huskies' 38-10 win against the Boise State Broncos in the Los Angeles Bowl on Dec. 13. He earned a redshirt year.
Despite not seeing much game action, Epperson was a notable contributor in practice. At the team's end-of-season banquet, Epperson won the award for the scout team special teams MVP, the Brian Stapp award.
With Epperson no longer on the team, there are now seven players who comprise the program's linebacker room (according to the team's official roster page):
Seniors Jacob Manu, Xe'ree Alexander and Taariq Al-Uqdah; sophomore Zaydrius Rainey-Sale; redshirt freshman Donovan Robinson Jr. and true freshmen and class of 2026 recruits Ramzak Fruean and Ezaya Tokio.
Barring any more unexpected departures, it would be reasonable to assume the lion's share of linebacker reps this upcoming season would go to Manu, Alexander and Al-Uqdah.
Even still, with the stark difference in experience between the upperclassmen and underclassmen, it would behoove the Huskies to add another linebacker via the transfer portal.
Even still, Washington's remaining focus in the transfer portal remains a No. 1 wide receiver and a running back.
The Huskies have lost leading receiver Denzel Boston to the 2026 NFL Draft. Depth receivers Raiden Vines-Bright, Audric Harris and Marcus Harris also left via the portal. Washington currently has an offer in place for Ohio State freshman Quincy Porter.
The Huskies also lost their leading running back, senior Jonah Coleman, to the draft. The projected replacement for Coleman, sophomore Adam Mohammed, also entered the portal and committed to Cal.
Washington has been able to take care of a lot of its core needs via the portal but still could make a more additions to position itself the best it can for 2026.
The transfer portal closes Jan. 16.
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