Washington lands Sacramento State edge rusher DeShawn Lynch

Speaking after Washington’s spring game on May 3, Jedd Fisch said he felt the Huskies were close to having a full roster. 

The claim seemed questionable, as UW was hanging around 75 scholarship players at the time, and the Huskies have received a string of commitments in the days since the spring game ended. Friday, Washington picked up its seventh new commitment since Fisch’s comments.

Washington added more experience to its defensive line, as the Huskies received a commitment from junior edge rusher DeShawn Lynch, a former Sacramento State transfer. Lynch spent four seasons with the Hornets but still has two years of eligibility remaining. 

Lynch was a three-star prospect after finishing his preps career at Northern California powerhouse Folsom High School, the same program which produced Washington’s all-time career passing leader Jake Browning.

As a senior defensive end, Lynch had 39 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He was considered the No. 56 recruit in California and the No. 27 strongside defensive end in the class of 2020 by 247Sports composite ratings. Lynch held offers from programs across the country, including USC, Tennessee, Oregon, Nebraska, Arizona State and Oregon State, among others. 

But the 6-foot-5, 283-pound defensive lineman didn’t sign with anyone at the early signing day in December. Instead, he waited until February’s signing day, ultimately committing to Sacramento State, an FCS school near his hometown of Folsom, Calif. 

Current Stanford coach Troy Taylor had just led the Hornets to the Big Sky championship in 2019 and the FCS playoffs. 

Lynch’s collegiate debut was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Sky pushed its 2020 football season back to the spring, then Sacramento State opted out of participating in the delayed campaign. Lynch finally made his debut in 2021, playing twice while maintaining his redshirt as the Hornets won another Big Sky championship. 

He broke into the rotation in 2022, playing in eight games and making 10 tackles. Sacramento State won its third Big Sky championship under Taylor, and made it to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoff for the first time, losing to Incarnate Word. 

Taylor departed for Stanford before the 2023 season, but Lynch was promoted to starting edge rusher. He racked up 34 tackles and was the joint-team leader with 4.5 sacks. He also had a pass deflection and forced a fumble. Lynch also accounted for seven quarterback hurries. 

Lynch entered the transfer portal on April 24. He joins an intriguing mix of veteran edge rushers at Washington. 

The Huskies have two senior edge rushers: Zach Durfee and Voi Tunuufi. Durfee had 11 sacks during the 2022 season at Sioux Falls before transferring to Washington, but his eligibility waivers were denied and he only played once in 2023. Tunuufi is on the opposite end of the experience spectrum. He’s been a contributor since his true freshman season, and has played in 39 games at Washington, registering 10 sacks and 50 tackles. 

Washington also has a pair of Arizona transfers who followed coach Jedd Fisch and defensive line assistant Jason Kaufusi. Sophomore edge rusher Isaiah Ward made 30 tackles and had four sacks while starting 11 games in 2023. Junior Russell Davis II added 16 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Wildcats during the past season. He missed part of spring practice recovering from an injury but had two tackles in the spring game. 

Kaufusi and the Huskies also landed former Miami edge rusher and Tacoma native Jayden Wayne, who had 13 tackles in 2023 as a true freshman in limited playing time. Wayne, who spent three seasons at Lincoln High School of Tacoma was the top recruit in Washington until he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. for his senior season. He is a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. 

The rest of Washington’s edge rushers profile similar to Wayne, talented but unproven. Junior Maurice Heims has nine tackles in 21 career games. Sophomore Lance Holtzclaw registered five tackles in 14 appearances. Sophomore Jacob Lane played in nine games as a true freshman in 2023, making four tackles.