Demond Williams Jr. will be feeling confident whether Decker DeGraaf or Baron Naone start Sunday.
SEATTLE — On Monday, the Washington Huskies released their first depth chart of the 2026-27 season, six days away from the team's season-opener in the Apple Cup against the Washington State Cougars at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
There were very little surprises on the depth chart, with most of the starters projected to get the first nods of the season for days, if not months.
Even still, there were several surprises on the depth chart, including at the tight end spot.
The starting tight end role got the "or" designation, with third-year Decker DeGraaf and second-year Baron Naone being listed as the potential starters for Sunday.
DeGraaf being listed as the possible No. 1 on the depth chart isn't shocking. He's developed a chemistry with third-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. over several years, as both players are in their third years with the program.
DeGraaf was also Williams' go-to target in spring ball, outside second-year wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck. His stellar spring came after he emerged as a more consistent target in the receiving game last season and reeled in 32 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Naone has also earned significant reps with his performance in training camp. Outside of starting receivers Rashid Williams and Christian Moss, Naone has arguably been Williams' most consistent deep threat in fall training camp.
Naone, a Pacific Northwest recruit out of West Linn, Ore., is yet to receive a catch in an active game, but the work he's put into the offseason has earned him snaps in the team's season-opener.
Regardless of who gets the majority of reps Sunday, the pair of tight ends' quarterback is confident in either.
"They're both elite vertical guys, elite pass-catchers and they also get in there and block and block really well," Williams said in a weekly news conference Tuesday. " ... Obviously, I've been here with Decker all three of my years. I've got to see him grow into the person he is now and the connection we have is just super strong, super stable. Then you see Baron, who got here last year, and see all the potential and spark-plays he has in practice, just how quarterback-friendly both of those guys are for me. ... I'm super comfortable with both of those guys."
Head coach Jedd Fisch and Williams are yet to have a tight end exceed 400 receiving yards in a single seasons in their three years together at UW, but it looks like neither tight end will be short of opportunities when the season begins Sunday.
