A dominant force on the defensive line is staying home. Kennedy Catholic (Burien) standout, the top-ranked player in Washington for the class of 2026, has committed to the University of Washington. The four-star defensive end made his announcement via X (formerly Twitter), choosing the Huskies over national powers like Michigan, Ohio State, and Oregon.
He had a monster 2024 season, earning all-state and TNT All-Area honors. He tallied 68 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and five forced fumbles, earning 4A NPSL Player of the Year. Known for his relentless motor and explosive strength, he’ll also be reuniting with his older brother, Lowen, a fellow lineman already on the Huskies’ roster.
Landing top star marks a major in-state recruiting win for head coach Jedd Fisch, as UW looks to reload its roster and compete in the Big Ten following a rebuilding 2024 campaign.
Derek Colman-Brusa isn’t just another blue-chip recruit—he’s drawing comparisons to some of the best to come out of the Pacific Northwest in recent memory. His coach at Kennedy Catholic, Pat Jones, summed it up perfectly: “It’s the whole package.” From an elite get-off at the snap to relentless pursuit, Colman-Brusa has the traits that college programs covet in top-tier pass rushers.
National recruiting expert Brandon Huffman went a step further, likening Colman-Brusa’s explosiveness to that of former five-star J.T. Tuimoloau, now a star at Ohio State. Huffman said: “His rush is so quick. It doesn’t matter how quick you are as a tackle, he’s quicker than you.” That type of praise, especially from someone as plugged-in as Huffman, highlights why this is such a massive in-state win for Washington and head coach Jedd Fisch.
With his older brother Lowen already on the Huskies’ roster and a chance to be a foundational piece in Washington’s transition into Big Ten play, Colman-Brusa’s commitment could be a tone-setter for the 2026 class.