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Huskies Wire
DT Kai McClendon is ready to make an impact for Washington football
- Story byHuskies Wire
- DT Kai McClendon is ready to make an impact for Washington football
After watching the entirety of spring practice and the majority of fall camp from the sidelines while recovering from a torn ACL, defensive tackle Kai McClendon says he's back at 100 percent and ready to make an impact for the Washington Huskies this fall.
The former Mississippi State starter, who played in 12 games for the Bulldogs as a true freshman in 2024, didn't need long to make an impact after he was cleared to return to action. On one of his first reps in a team period during Tuesday's practice, the 6-foot-2, 320-pound junior batted a Demond Williams Jr. pass into the air, which turned into an interception for linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah.
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Moving forward, the Huskies are hoping he can develop into a disruptive piece in the middle of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme, which was one of the biggest factors in him choosing Jedd Fisch's program out of the transfer portal.
"They told me they like my game and my physicality and my experience," McClendon said on Friday. "They just want me to keep going and keep elevating off that so I can be a good part of Washington."
A big part of McClendon continuing to elevate his game comes down to defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi's plan for his development, and the Mississippi State transfer has placed all his faith in his position coach.
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"He's a mastermind," McClendon continued. "He actually wants you to work. He wants you to make plays in the system so he can show the next level that you're able to play at the next level. That's why I like him for real."
As the SEC transfer continues to grow and develop, if the way he went about his rehab process is any indication of how he'll work with Washington's coaching staff, the Huskies could have a disruptive piece in the middle on their hands.
"Just from the outside looking in on his recovery, he was a dog in the training room," defensive tackle Darin Conley said. "Kai was always the first person in the facility with his car. He got the best parking spot."
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: DT Kai McClendon is ready to make an impact for Washington football
