Tacario Davis almost made his way to Washington a season before, but his journey ultimately led him back to Arizona. When Jedd Fisch was named the new head coach of the Washington Huskies on January 14, 2024, Davis—a 2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention—entered the transfer portal just days later on January 23. A reunion with Fisch, secondary coach John Richardson, and cornerback Ephesians Prysock seemed all but inevitable.
However, the move didn’t pan out as expected. Davis opted to return to Arizona, where he would go on to earn second-team All-Big-12 honors. Despite a successful stint with the Wildcats, Davis eventually entered the transfer portal once again, and this time, his destination was Washington.
“I was super close to coming here,” Davis shared. “It didn’t work out earlier, but it’s all about being where my feet are. I’m here now.” Davis, now a 6-foot-4, 200-pound cornerback, joined Washington as one of the many new faces on the team’s defense as the Huskies wrapped up their third spring practice. Washington lost a significant portion of its defensive starters after the 2024 season, including key players and a coordinator. As new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters implements a new scheme, several position battles are taking place, making spring practices crucial for securing starting spots.
Despite these changes, Walters expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, particularly the defensive line’s physicality and technique, which he credited to coach Jason Kaufusi. Washington’s defensive line, bolstered by transfers, delivered a strong performance in full-contact drills during the spring, showcasing the kind of aggressive play that the Huskies will need heading into the next season.
Davis has made a significant impact on the secondary this spring. Despite a mix of players in the defensive backfield due to the limited participation of Prysock—who is recovering from offseason surgery—Davis has stood out with several pass breakups, including an interception. Walters was particularly impressed with Davis’ ability to use his length to disrupt passes, as well as his fluidity in coverage.
After three years in college football, Davis is back with a renewed focus on refining his technique and enhancing his ball skills—something he’s aiming to improve after having only one interception in 30 career games despite recording 23 pass deflections. The focus now is on turning good plays into great plays, a goal that fits well with Walters’ emphasis on physicality, clean tackling, and effective communication. For Davis, his transition to Washington feels seamless, almost like returning home. “Yeah, it feels like home,” Davis said, reflecting on his time under Fisch and Richardson at Arizona.
With his impressive spring showing, Davis could be poised for a breakout year, and Huskies fans are excited to see the impact the talented cornerback will have as the team looks to rebuild its defense.
