OLB Ramzak Fruean can be an elite piece for Washington football

As true freshmen made an impact all over the field for the Washington Huskies during spring practice, one early enrollee who was hard to miss was outside linebacker Ramzak Fruean.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound four-star product of Bethel High School, who announced his pledge to Washington in early December after backing off on his pledge to UCLA following the firing of DeShaun Foster, didn't take long to make an impact on the defense. His rare athleticism was on display several times a day during practice, as he ducked and weaved his way around offensive tackles before using his impressive closing speed to touch down quarterbacks for "sacks" or bring down running backs from behind for a tackle for loss.

While defensive coordinator Ryan Walters sorts through a crowded room at outside linebacker with the goal of developing a stronger pass rush, after the Huskies finished No. 12 in the Big Ten in his first year calling plays with just 24 sacks.

"Ramzak has probably been like the most splash play guy this spring," Walters said after the spring game with a smirk on his face. "You watch his high school tape, you play a lot of, you know, outside SAM backer and tight end, and you knew he was athletic with the way you see him move around. But he's 235, getting close to 240, so we decided we'd try it on the edge, and he has taken that stride and has made tremendous improvements."

"He's got the athleticism of a nickelback with the size of an edge rusher. So anytime you can get closer to the line of scrimmage or keep that athleticism, you're gonna be productive, and so we're looking forward to him gaining some more weight this offseason, and this summer's going to be huge for him and his physical growth. But I love the way that the guy plays, love the way he comes to work every day, and he doesn't turn 18 till November, so he's still a kid, and sometimes that shows, but definitely blessed to have him here, and then looking forward to what he can do to add to our pass rush this fall."

Jedd Fisch echoed that sentiment.

"I think Ramzak Fruean's going to be an elite player," Fisch said on Friday night. "I would expect him to be a huge contributor early and often."

While he was billed as versatile enough to move between inside and outside linebacker after signing, Fruean has taken his reps almost exclusively on the edge during his first few months on campus, but he has the potential to continue growing and become a chess piece that Walters can move all over the formation.