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Inside The Huskies

Well-Utilized Husky Special-Teamer Waiss Enters Transfer Portal

The tight end and point-after blocker appeared in 25 games in two seasons.
Dan Raley|
Well-Utilized Husky Special-Teamer Waiss Enters Transfer Portal
Well-Utilized Husky Special-Teamer Waiss Enters Transfer Portal

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Washington Huskies

The average University of Washington football follower might not know him, but Griffin Waiss appeared in as many games as most of his teammates over the past two seasons.

This walk-on player from San Jose, California, actually got on the field 11 times in 2022, and in 14 more outings this past season, largely as a blocker on extra-point kicking attempts while his regular position of choice was tight end.

On Thursday, Waiss became the latest to leave the UW program, announcing his decision to enter the transfer portal no doubt in search of steady playing time as a regular-down player.

Even with the the Huskies losing senior tight ends Devin Culp and Jack Westover to graduation and NFL pursuits, Waiss likely didn't see a clear avenue to a bigger role with the Huskies, who have brought in a pair of new tight ends in Fresno State transfer Tre Watson and freshman signee Decker DeGraaf, who accompanied the team to the CFP championship game as spectators.

Waiss also had to contend with returning veterans Quentin Moore, Josh Cuevas and Ryan Otton, so the position group isn't lacking for bodies. 

This season, he missed only the Oregon State outing in Corvallis and was on the field at the end  for the CFP playoff games against Texas in the Sugar Bowl and Michigan in the championship game in Houston.

As a tight end, Waiss caught his lone Husky pass in 2022 against Colorado for 21 yards and dropped a pass earlier that same season while wide open against Portland State.

Coming out of high school, Waiss was recruited by Cal Lutheran, Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound and Linfield. He's likely seeking a new team that fits between the UW and his previous suitors. He has two seasons left to play.

Eight players have with eligibility remaining have left the UW since the CFP title game was played on Monday night with Waiss joined by cornerback Jaivion Green, walk-on linebacker Austin Harnetiaux, wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, wide receiver Jalen McMillan, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, edge rusher Bralen Trice and defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele. 

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Dan Raley
DAN RALEY

Dan Raley has worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, as well as for MSN.com and Boeing, the latter as a global aerospace writer. His sportswriting career spans four decades and he's covered University of Washington football and basketball during much of that time. In a working capacity, he's been to the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the MLB playoffs, the Masters, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and countless Final Fours and bowl games.

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