The Huskies are geared up for their first ranked opponent of the year, #18 USC, but this isn’t just another game. Jedd Fisch and the offense are squaring off against a ghost from Montlake’s past: fourth-year linebacker Deven Bryant, who made the move back home to Los Angeles over the offseason. This reunion has some serious juice, especially with both teams looking to bounce back from Week Four losses.
The Montlake Exit That Set Up This Showdown
Remember Deven Bryant? He spent three years grinding on Montlake, a former three-star recruit out of St. John Bosco who became a real difference-maker in the linebacker rotation during the 2025 season. We saw him rack up 62 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pair of pass breakups that year, starting ten of the twelve games he played. Bryant originally committed to coach Kalen DeBoer as part of the 2023 class, even redshirting during the Huskies’ run to the national championship. After appearing in eight games during Fisch’s inaugural season, Bryant was named a starter in his third year.
But as Coach Fisch laid out, Bryant wanted to start. With Jacob Manu, a 2023 All-Pac-12 First Team honoree, and sophomore standout Zaydrius Rainey-Sale emerging, Fisch told him straight up: “Deven wanted to start, and Jacob Manu and Zaydrius (Rainey-Sale) were the starters,” Fisch said. “And then Xe’ree (Alexander) was right there, and Deven wanted a chance, and Deven and I had amazing conversations, and the conversations were real clear-cut, like, ‘I think I have an opportunity to start if I go into the portal, and here I probably don’t have an opportunity to start, so I’m going to go in the portal and go start.’” You gotta respect the man wanting his shot, and Fisch even wished him well, confirming Bryant got his degree before he bounced.
Bryant Leads the Trojans’ Defense After a Rough Week
Fast forward to today, and Bryant isn’t just playing. He’s leading that USC defense with a team-high 27 tackles through just five games. And get this: the Trojans just got absolutely torched for 42 points by Oregon, led by their backup quarterback Dylan Raiola. You know Bryant and that USC defense are looking to tighten things up, big time, especially coming back to his old stomping grounds. The depth and talent of defensive coordinator Ryan Walters’ unit at the position made it tough to debate Bryant’s decision to return home.
Both the Huskies and USC are coming off Week Four losses, so this game isn’t just about old teammates. It’s about bouncing back. It’s about showing what this defensive unit is truly made of, especially when facing a guy who knows their playbook, their tendencies, maybe even their favorite coffee order.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a reunion with a serious edge. While the old head coach and teammates might be excited for a quick hello, for 60 minutes, it’s all business. You know Bryant will be playing with fire, and the Huskies will need to be ready for the tackle machine they once called their own. Get ready, Montlake, this is gonna be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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