Despite loss of Jonah Coleman to NFL draft, Washington confident in running abilities for 2026
SEATTLE (AP) — For the first time since joining the Big Ten, Washington will try to keep up with the rest of the conference’s best rushing teams without one of the most prolific running backs in program history. The Huskies lost Jonah Coleman, who ran for 15 touchdowns last season, to the Denver Broncos in the NFL draft . And not only has Coleman departed, but last season’s leading returning rusher among running backs, Jordan Washington, is out indefinitely with a neck injury he sustained on April 4 that required him to be taken off the field at Husky Stadium in an ambulance.
“I can’t put (it) into words. I mean, heartbroken,” Washington running backs coach Scottie Graham said of Washington. “Had a mix of emotions going to the hospital.
” Washington will be reevaluated in the summer. But even if Washington were healthy, the Huskies’ running back room has undergone all sorts of changes since they beat Boise State 38-10 in the LA Bowl . Adam Mohammed, who totaled 523 yards rushing and five touchdowns for Washington in 2025, has since transferred to California.
Outside of quarterback Demond Williams Jr. , who ran for 611 yards and six touchdowns last season, there isn’t much certainty for the Huskies when it comes to their ground game. It doesn’t help that two of the top candidates to help replace Coleman — senior Jayden Limar and fifth-year running back Trey Cooley — are both out this spring with injuries.
Williams admitted it’s “unfortunate” that Washington’s running backs room is as banged-up as it is a little over four months ahead of its season opener against Washington State on Sept. 5. “I think we’ve been blessed to have backs like Jonah and Adam the past two years, that have been able to stay healthy through this period,” Williams said.