⚡ CFB Dashboard

In my opinion, two of the greatest joys in watching college football is seeing a local product succeed at their home school and watching young players make the jump to college football seamlessly. In first-year defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa, Washington Husky fans are getting to watch both of those things happen at once. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) A product of Kennedy Catholic, the 6-foot-5, 295-pound freshman started each of his first three collegiate games for the Huskies. Not only has he been one of the first 11 players to take the field on defense, but he's also made an impact in each of these three games. According to PFF, DCB has been Washington's fifth-highest graded defender so far this season with a strong 72.7 defensive grade. Perhaps most impressive about his contributions so far on defense is he's getting it done in a variety of ways. The freshman phenom has been strong against the run, effective getting after the quarterback, and has made his presence felt in the passing game as well. As an interior defensive lineman, his most vital role is shutting down the opposition's rushing attack. Colman-Brusa has been a palpable factor in this aspect, tallying five "stops" in three games, tied for fourth on the team. Two of his seven tackles on the season have also been tackles for loss. Additionally, he's tallied at least one stop in each game so far, showing commendable consistency for a first-year player. (Photo: M. Samek, 247Sports) At 6-foot-5, he's got the requisite length to be a handful as a pass rusher. Colman-Brusa picked up his first sack of his career in Week 2 against Utah State. Furthermore, he's tied for third on the team with five pressures so far and leads all interior defensive linemen for the Huskies. The same length that allows him to fend off blockers also has enabled him to be disruptive against the pass. In the season opener versus Washington State, DCB tipped a pass from Caden Pinnick which was eventually intercepted. There are also intangible effects of a long, rangy pass rusher knifing through the middle of an offensive line and muddying up passing lanes. One final encouraging bit for Colman-Brusa is the overall depth of Washington's defensive front (DCB, Darin Conley, DeSean Watts, Kai McClendon, and Omar Khan). Four other interior defensive linemen on Washington have played at least 40 snaps through three games this year. That group does not include Elinneus Davis, who will add to that depth when he returns this weekend against Minnesota. Colman-Brusa has benefited from regular playing time while also having the luxury of rotating out frequently enough to preserve stamina game-by-game in what is sure to be a grueling Big Ten schedule. Washington begins Big Ten Conference play this weekend against the Golden Gophers. That means the competition level will continue to rise. Nevertheless, Derek Colman-Brusa has shown that he's ready for the challenge that lies ahead and has already become a reliable force in defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' defense.