How Husky Portal Pick-Ups Have Fared In Fall Camp

A handful of newcomers are poised to start when the season begins.

Darin Conley arrived from Ball State and played well in the spring. | Dave Sizer photo

Fewer than two weeks from the season opener against Washington State, the University of Washington football team is still sorting through the talent, including its transfer portal players, looking to fill out a starting lineup.

As it stands, the Huskies likely will open with two maybe three newcomers at every-down positions, plus unveil a pair of new kickers, from the 14 players picked up from other schools.

Cornerback Manny Karnley from Virginia and wide receiver Christian Moss from Kennesaw State each are good bets to be in the opening lineup to face the Cougars on Sept. 6, plus Kolt Dieterich from Sam Houston State has been groomed to play center if returning starter Landen Hatchett, returning from an injury, can't get ready in time.

A lockdown corner, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Karnley has been a designated starter since he first arrived in Montlake to play for Jedd Fisch, his original coach at Arizona.

Then there's the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Moss, who's been locked in an intense competition with returnee Chris Lawson for the third receiver slot, or the X, yet seems to have the edge, considering how many times he's run with the No. 1 offense.

Brought in as a tackle, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Dieterich has added center to his list of responsibilities and will fill in as the starter if Hatchett, dealing with a broken wrist, isn't ready for the opener.

The new special-teamers, kicker Tyler Robles and punter Hunter Green, already have turned up on the Lou Groza and Ray Guy award watch lists, so their talent is well known.

Following are brief updates on each transfer portal pick-up and his progress so far:

Elijah Brown -- The Stanford transfer currently is the back-up quarterback to Demond Williams Jr., yet he looks capable of running the team should anything happen to Williams. He was a three-game starter for the Cardinal in 2025.

Darin Conley -- The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle from Ball State plays with significant power and strength, and looks capable of starting if the need arises, yet he'll likely start out as a reserve.

Running back Trey Cooley is trying to come back from two seasons of injuries. | Dave Sizer phot

Trey Cooley -- The running back by way of Louisville, Georgia Tech and Troy hasn't really played for two seasons after suffering a season-ending concussion in 2024 and a preseason knee injury last year. It's a matter of whether he can knock the rust off his game in order to play right away for the UW.

Kolt Dieterich -- He came really highly recommended as a tackle and the Huskies have tried him at guard and now made him a center, which could get him on the field immediately, again depending on Hatchett.

Logan George -- The Huskies hope to do what Ohio State couldn't, which is keep this 6-foot-4, 265-pound edge rusher from Idaho healthy and get him on the field in crucial situations and let him make plays. He'll likely be a reserve when the season begins.

Manny Karnley -- He might have been the most high-value portal addition for the Huskies, bringing 16 career starts to Montlake, including 10 for Virginia last season, and a veteran presence to a collection of mostly young corners.

Hunter Green -- With his 47-yard average from San Diego State, Green ranks as one of the nation's most proficient punters and should provide a noticeable upgrade in Husky field position from a year ago.

Jayden Limar waits his turn in a UW running-back drill. | Dave Sizer photo

Jayden Limar -- The Oregon transfer could be an early contributor, after putting his quickness and toughness on display. Yet he didn't carry the ball in last weekend's mock game, raising questions about his availability.

Kai McClendon -- This much anticipated 6-foot-2, 340-pound defensive tackle from Mississippi State and the SEC, coming off a knee injury, should finally get a chance to show off his power and quickness in practice this week, according to Fisch.

Hunter McKee -- The Eastern Washington transfer is a walk-on who finds himself behind transfer Tyler Robles, freshman CJ Wallace and even former starter Grady Gross for the place-kicking duties.

Bodpegn Miller -- The Ohio State transfer is not only still learning the wideout position, after playing as a high school quarterback, he's dealt with nagging injuries almost nonstop since his arrival.

Christian Moss cradles the football during practice. | Dave Sizer photo

Christian Moss -- While he missed most of spring football with a hamstring injury, the Kennesaw State pass-catcher has been healthy throughout fall camp and has run with the No. 1 offense much of the time. He could be a starter.

Tyler Robles -- The new place-kicker from Texas State and USC appears to be very sound after making 21 of 23 field-goal attempts in 2025, has range of 50 yards or more, and will be hard to dislodge, even with Gross returning.

DeSean Watts -- This Sacramento State transfer made a favorable first impression at defensive tackle with his strength and leverage and the 6-foot, 315-pounder will play right away, likely coming off the bench.