Key Points
- Departure of a Veteran: Quentin Moore, a long-time tight end for the Washington Huskies known for his physical blocking prowess, has concluded his tenure with the program and moved on to pursue an NFL career.
- The Search for Depth: With Moore’s departure, the coaching staff, led by head coach Jedd Fisch, has been tasked with identifying and developing the next generation of tight ends capable of both receiving and dominant blocking.
- Emergence of Decker DeGraaf: Junior tight end Decker DeGraaf has emerged as a primary candidate to lead the position. He is highly regarded by teammates for his receiving finesse and his commitment to developing a well-rounded skill set.
- Blocking Responsibility: Baron Naone, a sophomore who saw significant playing time as a freshman, has been identified by the staff and observers as the leading candidate to fill the “blocking heavy” role previously held by Moore.
- 2026 Depth Chart: The current Huskies roster includes Decker DeGraaf, Kade Eldridge, Baron Naone, Austin Simmons, and Charlie Crowell, all competing to maintain the standard at the position.
Seattle (Evening Washington News) August 19, 2026 — The Washington Huskies football programme is entering a new era at the tight end position as they officially move forward without the physical presence and veteran leadership of Quentin Moore, who has departed for the professional ranks.
For years, the tight end position at the University of Washington has been a hallmark of the team’s offensive philosophy, often rotating multiple players to create mismatches. However, the exit of Moore—the final remaining veteran from the high-production tight end units of the past—has forced head coach Jedd Fisch and his staff to accelerate the development of their younger, high-potential prospects.
Who is stepping up to replace the production of Quentin Moore?
The challenge of replacing a player with Moore’s specific skill set is substantial. As noted by Dan Raley of Sports Illustrated, the Huskies have traditionally relied on tight ends who can blend pass-catching finesse with a “bruising” blocking style. While Moore was instrumental in the physical aspects of the game, the current roster is pivoting toward players who can offer a more versatile threat across all four downs.
According to reports from Sports Illustrated, Moore himself has expressed confidence in the talent remaining in the Huskies’ locker room. Reflecting on his final season with the programme, Moore remarked, as reported by Raley,
“They might not want me to say, but I’ve got to give it to Decker [DeGraaf]… That’s my guy.”
This internal endorsement underscores the transition from the veteran-led units of the past to a new group defined by rising talent like DeGraaf.
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How will the Huskies address the need for a ‘blocking heavy’ tight end?
While receiving skills are often the highlight of a tight end’s highlight reel, the Huskies have a long-standing tradition of valuing the “dirty work” of blocking. Players like Cade Otton, Drew Sample, and Will Dissly set a high bar for excellence in this area.
As reported by Sports Illustrated, the search for the next great blocker has landed on sophomore Baron Naone. Despite finishing his freshman season without recorded receptions, Naone’s involvement in seven games served as a clear signal of his coaching staff’s intentions. By prioritising him in rotation, the staff effectively handed him the “marching orders” to develop as a blocking heavy-hitter, with the expectation that the receiving production will naturally follow as he matures.
What is the current status of the Washington tight end depth chart?
As the team moves into the 2026 season, the depth chart reflects a deliberate attempt by the coaching staff to cultivate a diverse array of options. The current roster, as documented in official University of Washington athletics filings, features a mix of experience and emerging talent:
- Decker DeGraaf (Junior): Standing at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, DeGraaf is positioned as a primary receiving threat. His rapid ascent, including catching a touchdown pass in his very first college appearances, has cemented his status as a focal point of the passing game.
- Kade Eldridge (RS Junior/Transfer): Following a foot injury that sidelined him in previous seasons, Eldridge returns as a veteran presence looking to secure his spot in the rotation.
- Baron Naone (RS Freshman): The aforementioned prospect for the blocking role, Naone is expected to see significantly increased snaps this season.
- Austin Simmons (RS Freshman) and Charlie Crowell (RS Sophomore): Both players represent the depth the Huskies have worked to accumulate, providing the coaching staff with the ability to maintain a multiple-tight-end formation if needed.
Why has the tight end position been such a priority for the Huskies?
The University of Washington has historically utilised the tight end position as a core tenet of its offensive strategy. During the 2023 season, the team famously deployed as many as four different tight ends in a single game, a trend that required a deep and capable bench.
The transition period following the departure of coaches and high-profile players has been a test of the programme’s depth. As noted by Christian Caple of Seattle Sports, the coaching staff has been candid about the difficulties of replacing such a core group of players. Speaking on the challenges of managing injuries and attrition—specifically regarding the injury-marred 2024 season where Moore was sidelined with a knee injury—head coach Jedd Fisch emphasised the necessity of fostering resilience in the younger players who were forced to step into larger roles ahead of schedule.
As the Huskies move forward, the philosophy remains unchanged: they require tight ends who are not merely specialists, but complete athletes capable of dictating the pace of the game, whether through punishing run-blocking or precise route running. While the loss of Quentin Moore marks the end of a specific chapter, the programme appears to be betting on the development of the likes of DeGraaf and Naone to maintain the University of Washington’s reputation as a destination for top-tier tight end talent.
