Jett Washington

Updated September 27, 2026 | Sources: 247Sports, GoDucks.com (2026)

Jett Washington played in each of Oregon's first four games as a true freshman, per the official participation lists, and his first month already has a highlight reel. Against Portland State on Sept 18 he intercepted two passes on back-to-back Portland State possessions in the third quarter, and in the first quarter he forced a fumble on a kickoff return that Gavin Nix recovered at the Portland State 19. He played 14 snaps that night (Sports Illustrated Ducks Digest). The honest context: that was an 84-0 game against an FCS opponent, and his snaps at Oklahoma State and USC came without a recorded statistic. Koi Perich and Aaron Flowers (hurt at USC; his status is on the injury tracker) were listed among the starting defensive backs in each of the first four official box scores, and fellow freshman Davon Benjamin has also rotated in at safety. Through UCLA, Washington has 3 tackles, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble. He is not built like a typical safety. At 6-5, 205 pounds, he has the frame of a linebacker and the coverage skills of a corner. He arrived from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas as the #23 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the consensus top safety nationally, enrolled early, and took reps through spring practice. His size changes what Chris Hampton can do: a safety who can cover tight ends, play in the box, and still range to the deep third.

Week 1 vs Boise State, Sept 5, 2026

One tackle in the secondary rotation.

ESPN box score, Oregon 34 Boise State 27, Sept 5 2026 (ESPN event 401858433)

5-Star

Recruiting Rating

#23 nationally

6-5

Height

205 lbs

2

INTs vs Portland St.

Back-to-back possessions, Sept 18

#1 S

Position Rank

Nationally

Why He Matters

Oregon's secondary added Koi Perich from Minnesota through the transfer portal, and Perich and Aaron Flowers (hurt at USC; his status is on the injury tracker) have started every game. Washington is the long-term future, and the Portland State game showed why: his length gets to throws a smaller safety does not. His 6-5 frame is rare at safety. He can match up with Big Ten tight ends who give smaller safeties problems. In Hampton's defense, he is a chess piece in waiting: safety on passing downs, a linebacker-sized body in run support, and a weapon in the red zone where his length disrupts passing lanes.

Four Games In

Washington played in every one of Oregon's first five games, through UCLA on Oct 10, per the official participation lists. Boise State (Sept 5): 1 tackle in the secondary rotation. At Oklahoma State (Sept 12): on the field, no recorded statistic. Portland State (Sept 18): 2 tackles, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble on kickoff coverage, in 14 snaps. At USC (Sept 26): on the field, no recorded statistic. Fellow freshman Davon Benjamin also picked off a pass against Portland State, and Oregon had 3 interceptions that night.

The Path

Washington chose Oregon over programs across the country. Bishop Gorman is one of the premier high school programs in the nation, so he arrived with experience against elite competition. He enrolled early and spent spring 2026 learning Hampton's scheme. Now the work is earning Big Ten snaps behind two starters, and the Portland State tape is the first proof he can make plays when he gets them.

Watch List for 2026

1

Snaps against Big Ten offenses: his playing time has come in the rotation. He did not record a stat against UCLA (ESPN box score). Watch his count at Illinois on Oct 24.

2

Special teams: his forced fumble came on kickoff coverage. Freshmen earn defensive snaps there first.

3

Coverage on tight ends: the 6-5 frame is the whole point. Watch who Hampton asks him to cover.

4

How Hampton uses his size in the box when he is on the field with Perich and Flowers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is listed at 6-5, 205 pounds, making him one of the tallest safeties in college football. His size gives Oregon's defense a unique matchup weapon against Big Ten tight ends.

Yes. Washington is the consensus #1 safety nationally in the 2026 class, ranked #23 overall by 247Sports.

Two, both against Portland State on Sept 18, 2026, on back-to-back Portland State possessions in the third quarter. He also forced a fumble on a kickoff return in that game.

No. Koi Perich and Aaron Flowers (hurt at USC; his status is on the injury tracker) have been listed among the starting defensive backs in Oregon's official 2026 box scores, Perich in all five and Flowers in the first four; Peyton Woodyard started against UCLA with Flowers out. Through UCLA on Oct 10, Washington had played in every one of Oregon's first five games as a true freshman.

Sources: 247Sports, GoDucks.com (2026). This page covers on-field performance and publicly available recruiting data only.

Jett Washington on video this season

Players · Sept 30 · 6:35

Jett Washington: "Trying to carry on that legacy."

Bye week, ahead of UCLA.

Via GoDucks

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