Washington Huskies Tight End Room Looking to be More Balanced in 2026

SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies football team boasts several positions groups this year filled with either returning veterans or all-conference-caliber talent (or both).

The offense features several of those kinds of players, many of whom are expected to take massive steps forward in their development.

One of the positions on the offense expected to be more involved in the offense this season is the tight end room.

This offseason, a former member of that room, Quentin Moore was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Commanders, where he's competing in training camp. He carved out an NFL future despite only having 13 catches and two touchdowns to his name in five years of college ball.

Moore found an NFL role due to his ability as a blocker, which is something that tight ends coach Jordan Paopao is attempting to instill into his players.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day ... we're just looking for the best fit culturally," Paopao said after a practice Friday at Husky Stadium in Seattle. "And, ultimately, we're trying to recruit NFL tight ends. ... We're gonna take pride in whatever it is that's asked of us."

Paopao has been satisfied with how his tight ends have taken on improving their blocking, but receiving has been another facet of the game the tight ends have taken noticeable strides in this offseason.

Second-year tight end Baron Naone, second-year tight end Austin Simmons and third-year tight end Decker DeGraaf have all made their mark throughout fall training camp. DeGraaf, specifically, is likely to be a big facet in the passing game this season.

DeGraaf is entering his third season with the team and third with fellow "junior" quarterback Demond Williams Jr.

Last season, DeGraaf took strides as a player in the receiving game. The 6-foot-4, 249-pound tight end finished the season with 32 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns. This offseason, outside of sophomore wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck, he's been the go-to target for Williams on pass attempts.

"This is year three with me and Demond, year two with (Roebuck)," DeGraaf said after practice Friday. "But he grew up with (Roebuck). We have a lot of chemistry there, so it's been good."

This celly >>@UW_Football's Decker DeGraaf to the house 👏@BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/OhhXKhW8hw

Paopao has talked multiple times this offseason about the tight ends being an extension of the offensive line. If the group does that while simultaneously growing as an extension of the passing game, the tight end room can be the most balanced from an ability perspective that it's been in head coach Jedd Fisch's tenure.