The Washington Huskies took the field on Friday for the first time since their 38-10 LA Bowl victory over Boise State on December 13th, 2025. Playing an inter-squad Spring Game (Dawgs After Dark), with Husky teams split into Purple and Gold. The event allowed Washington’s wide receivers to showcase their skills. Rashid Williams, Mason James, and Jordan Clay each put their talents on display. After the game, Fisch gave his thoughts on what he saw from his wideouts.

Washington WR Rashid Williams returns to action

The biggest development during the Huskies’ Dawgs After Dark event was seeing WR Rashid Williams play again. The junior Husky receiver went down in the second game of the 2025 season with a collarbone injury and did not return for the remainder of the year. On Friday, R. Williams made the most of his return to play. He had three big catches of note. R. Williams made a beautiful first-down reception by the sideline, keeping his feet in bounds. He also made a nice contested catch over the middle on a short route. R. Williams’ biggest play of the night was a big 44-yard TD catch from QB Demond Williams on a deep route. At the conclusion of the game, Fisch spoke about his receiver’s performance:

“Yeah, huge, couple big plays by Rashid. He’s had a great spring. This is the first spring since we’ve been here that he stayed healthy the whole spring, and then, obviously, missing almost all of last season, to be able to have him come back and take on that leadership role. And, um, you know, be able to make some of those plays tonight with Demond was fun to see. I mean, obviously, the big touchdown was great, and then, also, the sideline tow tap was pretty cool. So, it’s been great to see Rashid step up and be the guy that we know he’s gonna be all season,” said Fisch.

R. Williams has taken on an important role within the Huskies’ receiving corps. With Denzel Boston now gone, the junior wideout is the eldest receiver in the room. Having R. Williams back healthy is a huge deal because of his leadership and ability to provide a security blanket for QB D. Williams to throw to. Before R. Williams left with an injury last year, he was the second-most targeted Husky receiver. If he can stay healthy, the junior WR has a chance to be a key part of Washington’s offense.

Washington WR Mason James makes his debut

Mason James, a Four-Star WR recruit from Oklahoma, got to play under the lights at Husky Stadium in the Huskies’ Spring Game for the first time. He had a bit of trouble returning a punt at the start of the contest. James muffed a punt for team Purple, which resulted in a touchdown for team Gold. CB Dylan Robinson made the recovery, as team Gold scored. James later redeemed himself by making a good catch out of the backfield. Fisch later spoke about James’ first action as a Husky and joked about his punt return:

“Yeah, well, I didn’t love him as a punt returner. Um, not looking for that, uh, but I think he was awesome. I mean that’s a tough situation. You know you’re a true freshman, you get thrown out there, and they’re like, hey, catch a punt 10 yards from your end zone, and uh, I think, was it Luke or Hunter that punted it? But whoever it was, absolutely boomed it. And that thing was up in the air for a long time, and I’m sure Mason got about 400 different thoughts that went through his head, and probably one through 399 was don’t drop it. So, um, I’m not worried about Mason, uh, dropping a ball. I think it was a fluky play. But it was fun to watch Mason, jet sweep, option route, we tried to get him on a double move. So, yeah, Mason is gonna have a great career. I’m excited to see what we can do with him,” said Fisch.

Joking aside, James has incredible versatility. James being in the mix for being Washington’s next punt returner should not come as a surprise. The Huskies are looking for a new return man with Boston now gone. On top of his potential as a punt returner, James can also be used in a variety of different ways on offense. He showed in the Spring Game that he can run out of the backfield with his explosive speed or be used in the short intermediate passing game. Expect big things for James at Washington.

Freshman Husky WR Jordan Clay makes a surprise appearance at the Spring Game

New Huskies’ wide receiver Jordan Clay was not expected to play in today’s game. He had been dealing with a soft tissue finger injury, which had kept him sidelined and out of practice in the lead-up to Dawgs After Dark. In the time he did play, he went up and made a spectacular catch on a high throw for a 21-yard reception. Following the game, Fisch spoke about Clay’s catch:

“Jordan did a good job. I mean, he made a big-time catch on the sideline, probably could have caught another one on a curl route,” said Fisch.

The Huskies have been searching for another big-body receiver to replace Boston. Clay at 6’3 showed he can go up and high-point the football to make a catch during the Spring Game. In addition to his vertical and leaping ability, he has great hands and is an exceptional pass catcher. Given his skill set, Clay is capable of being a receiver who can make catches downfield and in the red zone. Creating match-up nightmares for opposing defenses.