Washington head coach Jedd Fisch addressed the media Wednesday for his first offseason press conference, and he didn’t hold back when discussing the transfer portal. With 19 former Huskies leaving the program over the past two weeks, Fisch offered a pointed critique of portal-heavy roster construction.
Despite the departures, Washington has brought in just nine transfers so far, and Fisch made it clear that approach is intentional.
“I don’t believe in building a football team through free agency,” Fisch said. “Some programs do that successfully, and that’s fine. That’s not who we are. We want to recruit players, develop them, and maximize their potential.”
Fisch expressed confidence in returning starters at safety, linebacker, and along the offensive line, while acknowledging the need to add help at cornerback and on the defensive front. However, one glaring hole remains unresolved: wide receiver.
After losing star wideout Denzel Boston to the NFL Draft and seeing three young receivers depart via the portal, Washington is thin at the position.
“We’re staying very aggressive in our search at receiver,” Fisch said. “That’s something we’re continuing to work on.”
One potential solution is former Elon standout Isaiah Fuhrmann, who has scheduled a visit with the Huskies after stopping at Georgia Tech. Fuhrmann, a rising junior, spent the past two seasons at Elon and emerged as one of the most productive receivers in the FCS.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing just under 195 pounds, Fuhrmann posted 46 receptions for 906 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, leading the Phoenix in all three categories. His explosiveness was highlighted by multiple long touchdown grabs, including a 97-yard game-winner against Campbell and a 76-yard score despite double coverage from North Carolina A&T.
While Fuhrmann hasn’t faced Power Five competition, his size, speed, and ability to stretch the field have caught the attention of national evaluators. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 24 available wide receiver in the portal, while On3 places him among the top-tier prospects at the position, awarding him a transfer grade of 88 or higher.
Fuhrmann’s skill set fits a major need for Washington, as the Huskies search for a deep-threat replacement for Boston. Still, landing him won’t be easy. Georgia Tech is also in the mix, and recruiting services view the race as nearly even.
If Fisch hopes to fully capitalize on quarterback Demond Williams Jr.’s junior campaign, securing a proven receiver like Fuhrmann could be critical. Outside of rising sophomore Dezmen Roebuck, Washington lacks proven depth at the position.
So far, the Huskies have struck out on several portal targets. Syracuse transfer Darrell Gill Jr. opted for Ole Miss, while former Florida receiver Naeshaun Montgomery—who once visited Washington as a high school recruit—committed to Missouri earlier this month.
Washington remains involved with Oklahoma transfer Zion Kearney, one of the top receivers still available. While a visit to Montlake could shift momentum, current projections favor Baylor and Iowa State.
With the list of viable options shrinking, Fuhrmann may represent Washington’s best chance to address its most pressing offensive need—and Fisch may need to push harder than usual to make it happen.
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