Washington Huskies Defensive Linemen Named to Midseason All-Freshman Team

The Washington Huskies football team is one of the youngest teams in the country at 20.04-years-old, and has had several true freshman start as a result this season.

Performance among the first-year players has varied on both offense and defense for the Huskies (4-3 overall, 1-3 in Big Ten play), but one player was recognized as one of freshman at his position in college football.

Several publications and outlets have released their respective midseason All-American and All-Freshman lists this week.

On3 was one of the outlets that released a midseason All-Freshman list, which included defensive lineman Derek Colman-Brusa.

Here's what On3 Sports reporter Charles Power, who put together the list, had to say about Colman-Brusa:

Derek Colman-Brusa is one of several true freshmen making an early impact on Washington’s defense along with cornerback Jeron Jones and (edge rusher) Ramzak Fruean. The 6-foot-5, 295-pounder has been one of the most productive pass rushers among true freshman defensive linemen with 10 pressures, including a four pressure outing against Purdue last week. The Seattle (Wash.) Kennedy Catholic product was a big in-state get for Jedd Fisch and ranked as the No. 173 overall prospect in the Rivals300.

Colman-Brusa began the season as a starter on the interior of Washington's defensive line and was tabbed for that role towards the beginning of spring practice.

The first-year player has done well in that role, even as the schedule has turned towards Big Ten play.

In seven games this season, Colman-Brusa has 11 total tackles (six solo), including two tackles for loss and one sack. He also has a pass defended.

Colman-Brusa was one of the crown jewels of the Huskies' Class of 2026, which ranked 12th in the nation — an all-time program-best ranking.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive tackle ranked as the 158th-best overall player, 19th-best edge rusher in the country and best player in Washington in the Class of '26, per the 247Sports composite. He's shared starting reps on the defensive line with upperclassmen Elinneus Davis (interior defensive line), edge rusher Jacob Lane and fellow true freshman Ramzak Fruean (edge rusher).

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch has preached the importance of recruiting and developing talent with the program being among the lowest spenders in the Big Ten and not as capable as landing top-end talent in the transfer portal.

Colman-Brusa, as well as other first-year players such as Fruean and cornerback Jeron Jones, have proven case-positive of that mindset. As a result, Colman-Brusa will be a priority for the team to bring back for his sophomore season.