Isaiah Ward in line to start for Washington football vs. Nebraska

For the first time this season, the Washington Huskies will have a new starter on the defensive line opposite fourth-year Jacob Lane.While that spot had been occupied by freshman Ramzak Fruean for the first seven games of the season, the former four-star recruit is dealing with a knee injury that he suffered in the second quarter of Washington's 38-26 win at Purdue. In his stead, fifth-year Isaiah Ward had an impressive showing in West Lafayette despite not popping up on the box score.Now, the former Arizona transfer is in line to make his first start of the season after drawing high praise from defensive coordinator Ryan Walters for his performance against the Boilermakers.#Huskies edges, including Isaiah Ward (91). pic.twitter.com/TIUojfEkLw— Aaron Coe (@Coe_Aaron) August 18, 2026"I thought he played great," Walters said on Tuesday. "Played within the framework of the scheme, did exactly what we asked him to do and more. He always brings a certain physicality and toughness to the way we play, and he was a big reason we were able to stop the run the way we did."As for Fruean, after he was initially listed as out on Washington's first availability report of the week, he could factor into the rotation behind Ward."He's trending in the right direction to have some ability to play; we're not exactly sure what that ability will be," Fisch said.This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Isaiah Ward in line to start for Washington football vs. Nebraska