Washington returns majority of key pieces in 2023: ‘Definitely some unfinished business’
Bralen Trice, one of Washington’s two first-team all-conference edge rushers, didn’t sound like a guy who obsessed over his pro prospects this year. Neither did Troy Fautanu, a second-team all-conference pick at left tackle. There were conversations, sure. But Trice seemed almost uninterested when asked last week if a first-round grade would have compelled him to enter the NFL Draft rather than announce his decision to return in 2023, as he did in conjunction with fellow edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui.
“I don’t know — honestly,” Trice replied to the first-round hypothetical. “I just really want to enjoy another year of college football, to be honest.”
“For me,” Fautanu said, “it was just, like, I don’t want to be left out on what’s going to go on next year, you know what I mean?”
It is that sentiment — FOMO, or something like it — that prevails when asking why Washington’s top, non-senior NFL Draft prospects have chosen to return in 2023 rather than turn pro. The Huskies haven’t had a single player with eligibility remaining choose to enter the draft, and with receiver Rome Odunze the only remaining undecided, it’s possible they will bid farewell to only their seniors and those who enter the transfer portal — but even the latter crew is relatively scant and does not yet include anyone who was in line for significant playing time.
“At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make it to the NFL,” Fautanu said. “But it says a lot about this team and how close we are that we’re able to come back one more time, two more times — however many years it takes — just being able to be together and try to get what we didn’t accomplish this year.”
The good news has trickled through social media over the past month. Trice. ZTF. Fautanu. Jalen McMillan. Tuli Letuligasenoa. And of course Michael Penix Jr., the star quarterback who stunned his teammates and coaches by announcing his return via video at the end of the team’s annual awards banquet. That’s one first-team all-conference selection and two second-teamers, plus a 1,000-yard receiver, a multi-year starter at defensive tackle and an edge rusher who once received All-America honors. Even without Odunze — and his return remains a distinct possibility — that’s an impressive collection of talent coming back for another go, and the Huskies will play Thursday’s Alamo Bowl game against Texas with zero opt-outs.
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