Washington transfer portal wins: 3 best players Jedd Fisch secured from winter window ft. Alex McLaughlin

The Washington Huskies have signed several players from the transfer portal. Coach Jedd Fisch will try to regroup with the team's newest acquisitions to compete for a playoff spot later this year.

On Dec. 31, 2024, Washington (6-7, 4-5 Big Ten) lost 35-34 in the final game on their schedule against the Louisville Cardinals (9-4, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl.

Fisch started freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. over the team's passing yard leader, Will Rogers. Williams Jr. ended the game completing 26 of 32 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns.

Fisch may start Williams Jr. next season. Rogers has completed his final year in college football and has yet to announce if he'll enter the 2025 NFL draft alongside several teammates. Washington's key players, such as Linebacker Carson Bruener and wide receiver Giles Jackson, won't return to the team and have declared for the draft.

The roster changes can benefit the transferred players looking for new opportunities. Here are the top three signees who will play for Fisch next season.

Top three transfer portal players joining the Washington Huskies next season

#3, Xe'ree Alexander, linebacker

One of the potential key players that the Huskies signed was linebacker Xe'ree Alexander. On Dec. 21, 2024, he transferred to Fisch's team from the UCF Knights (4-8, 2-7 Big 12). He played in every game this season, completing 68 total tackles and 28 solo tackles.

On Nov. 29, 2024, he played his final game with UCF in a 28-14 loss to the Utah Utes (5-7, 2-7 Big 12). Alexander had five total tackles and three solo tackles.

He could be someone who can take over Bruener's role as a defensive leader for Washington. Alexander will be a junior next season and could be under Fisch's leadership for two years.

#2, Johntay Cook II, wide receiver

Wide receiver Johntay Cook II joined Washington after two seasons with the No. 5 Texas Longhorns (13-2, 7-1 Southeastern Conference). He is looking to have more opportunities to play than he did with his former team. Cook II competed in four games this season and had eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

On Sep. 28, 2024, he had his last game for Texas in their blowout win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 SEC). Cook II finished the matchup with one reception for 31 yards. Cook left the team on Nov. 7, 2024, and officially committed to the Huskies on Dec. 28, 2024.

The transfer could allow the former Longhorns player to showcase his abilities when given a chance. Washington's loss of Jackson next season could open a spot for Cook II to have more targets with Williams Jr. Cook II may have to compete for playing time as wide receivers Rashid Williams and Audric Harris will also want to get the football.

In the offseason, Cook II has the chance to prove why he deserves more playing time and develop chemistry with the starting quarterback.

#1, Alex McLaughlin, defensive back

One transfer that could be a key player for the Huskies next season is defensive back Alex McLaughlin. He joined the roster on Dec. 17, 2024, after playing two seasons for the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (8-5, 6-2 Big Sky). He finished last year with 96 total tackles, 40 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

His last game was on Nov. 30, 2024, where he had 11 total tackles, six solo tackles, and one interception in the team's 24-0 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats (9-5, 7-1 United Athletic Conference).