Washington Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Defensive Line

Starting tackles: Vita Vea (NT), Greg Gaines
Backups: Ricky McCoy, Shane Bowman

Although he isn’t considered a “returning starter”, junior nose tackle Vita Vea has the potential to be a star on the defensive line. He’s back after putting up solid numbers as a rotational lineman in 2016, racking up 39 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He will be a guy to watch for in 2017 as he grows into a leader in the trenches.

Greg Gaines also had a huge sophomore season for the Huskies at defensive tackle and is returning as a starter. He put up 35 tackles, eight for loss and 3.5 sacks a year ago. That combo of Gaines and Vea in the middle is one of the scariest in the Pac-12. Ricky McCoy, a sophomore, and Shane Bowman, a junior, saw limited action, but can be solid backups.

Starting end: Jaylen Johnson
Backup: Levi Onwuzurike

At the lone defensive end spot, junior Jaylen Johnson looks to take over. He’s another down lineman who didn’t see much of the field last season as a sophomore, but the coaches believe he has a lot to bring to the table in his third year. He finished with 13 total tackles and a sack in 2016, but could he break out?

Former four-star defensive end Levi Onwuzurike, a redshirt freshman, is going to be looked at to grow up quickly. He hasn’t played a single down of college ball yet, but his 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame at the end spot is intriguing. There’s a good chance he will have a breakout season behind Johnson.