Progrums

Freshman Zammit’s Trial by Fire in Husky Camp

Over the first five spring practices at Washington, freshman quarterback Derek Zammit threw just one pass in full-team drills. The 6-foot, 208-pound rookie from New Jersey spent most sessions learning the playbook under the watchful eyes of quarterbacks coach JP Losman, senior offensive assistant Matt Cavanaugh and head coach/coordinator Jedd Fisch. Despite rotating behind several upperclassmen, Zammit soaked up pointers on footwork and mechanics, earning occasional reps and sideline film sessions. He completed 5 of 12 passes for 47 yards in the first 13 practices, took a heavy sack, dropped a snap and had passes batted down. In the Spring Game, he drew 16 snaps, throwing for 68 yards while also tossing an interception returned for a touchdown and narrowly avoiding another. On the bright side, he scrambled for 26 yards to show his athleticism. Coaches have slotted him as the third to fifth QB this spring, concluding his session felt more like an intensive boot camp than a breakout. Though not the next Jake Browning, Zammit’s work promises a potential future starting role, perhaps as soon as 2028 once upperclassmen graduate.

Looks like the Huskies found a new way to welcome freshmen: forget the toga party, bring on the blitz, a popcorn machine of interceptions, and three different coaches all whispering in your ear like overzealous backseat quarterbacks. Imagine Derek Zammit sprinting from one wise sage to another, receiving playbook lessons as if preparing for a PhD in gridiron misery. Every pass feels like an audition for Who Wants to Be a Husky? Too bad the prize for most errant spiral is a patented Jedd Fisch glare and a season’s worth of water-cooler gossip. The Spring Game felt like a gentle demonstration: “Hey rookie, meet Donovan Robinson’s knuckles!” But chin up, kid—by 2028 you’ll have graduated from lab rat to lab professor. Until then, don’t forget to replenish your practicing soul with a diet of humble pie and helmet chafing cream.