How Much Can Washington's Pass Rush Achieve in 2023?

With two key returning bodies, can the Husky pass rush best its 2022 numbers?

Washington's pass rush was one of the best in the Pac-12 in 2022, recording 37 sacks, third in the conference. While they lost Jeremiah Martin to graduation, the Huskies are returning the tandem of highly decorated Bralen Trice and Zion Tupuola-Fetui.

Trice was one of the best pass rushers in the country in 2022, leading the nation with 69 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, as well as adding nine sacks on his way to second- and third-team All-American honors from various outlets. 

While Tupuola-Fetui hasn't been the same since his flat-out domination of the 2020 COVID-shortened season, he's struggled with injuries and a reduced role.

However, he has the opportunity to return as a starter alongside Trice. With all the attention offensive lines will have to devote to Trice's side of the line, Tupuola-Fetui should see more one-on-one opportunities against opposing tackles and could be a seven or eight-sack player.

Leaders in QB pressures from the 2022 season💪 pic.twitter.com/XBebejqDlx

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 24, 2023

There's also a lot of depth behind them and fresh bodies should always be available to rotate through. The biggest name in the group is Sioux Falls transfer Zach Durfee, who has done well in both winter workouts and spring practice.

Now that Maurice Heims is back at practice and wearing pads, Durfee could be lining up across from him in what could be a glimpse into the future of this position for the Huskies. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Heims oozes athleticism and potential and, before his spring was derailed by a scary neck injury, he was in line to have a significant role in the defense.

Redshirt Freshman Highlights
- NSIC First Team All-Conference
- First time playing Defensive Line
- https://t.co/7hVAeMqtRm pic.twitter.com/N3hvWlYw5n

— Zach Durfee (@zach_durfee) November 24, 2022

With Lance Holtzclaw and Sav'ell Smalls also pushing for playing time on the edge, the Huskies are well-equipped for 2023. 

The same can be said about the interior of the line. Headlined by Faatui Tuitele and Tuli Letuligasenoa, co-defensive coordinator William Inge is going to get a significant push from his defensive tackles. 

If twins Armon and Jayvon Parker can continue to progress on the interior, the Huskies are going to generate a much better pass rush from the defensive-tackle position in 2023. Only 2.5 of Washington's 37 sacks can be credited to true defensive tackles, since the coaching staff utilizes Voi Tunuufi a lot on the edge. 

With the pieces coming back, it's hard to believe that the Husky rush has reached its ceiling. If Tuitele can produce more as a pass rusher, and Tupuola-Fetui can bounce back from a bit of a down year, this group should be able to put up more than 40 sacks, which could place it as a top 10 group in the country.

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