INDIANAPOLIS — Denzel Boston did not run from the rebuild. When Washington watched Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk bolt for the NFL following the 2023 National Championship run, the hometown kid stayed put. He bet on his own talent, and he bet on wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings to unlock it. Two years later, that wager looks like a jackpot.
Standing at the podium during his NFL Combine media availability on Friday, the Huskies wideout reflected on the coaching that transformed him from a rotational piece into a top 2026 draft prospect. Boston enters Saturday’s testing drills fresh off a 2025 campaign where he torched Big Ten secondaries for 62 receptions, 881 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
The Slot Science
Huskies Wire asked Boston exactly where Cummings made the biggest impact over the last two seasons. You could hear the raw respect in Boston’s voice over the constant background hum of the convention center. The answer had nothing to do with route-running technique or hand placement. It was all about the mental chess match.
“I think coach KC, he brought me understanding defenses. He brought me understanding scheme and how to play in the slot. During [plays in] the slot, you’re in a lot of bracket coverages and a lot of different areas where it could get a little tricky if you don’t know what the defense is doing. So I think KC, where he elevated my game was teaching me defenses and understanding where they’re gonna sit in zone and how their man is gonna play.”
— Denzel Boston, Former Washington Huskies Wide Receiver
Cummings turned Boston into a defensive decoder. That elevated football IQ translated directly to the stat sheet, helping Boston secure third-team All-Big Ten honors and position himself as one of the most reliable red-zone targets in this draft class.
Life After Boston: The Next Generation
Back in Seattle, head coach Jedd Fisch faces a massive restructuring project. Offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty and the program recently parted ways after a single season. Fisch announced Washington will not formally name a replacement with the OC title this year. Instead, Cummings—who spent five seasons alongside Fisch between Arizona and Washington—will take on a heavily expanded role in designing the offensive scheme.
He needs to hit the ground running. Boston’s departure leaves a massive target share up for grabs in a highly talented but raw receiver room. Freshman All-American Dezmen Roebuck leads the returning pack after pulling down 42 catches for 560 yards and seven touchdowns last fall. The Huskies will rely on him to set the tone, alongside Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss.
The coaching staff also desperately needs a clean bill of health from junior Rashid Williams, who missed significant time to injury. Sophomores Chris Lawson and Justice Williams flashed potential in camp and must take the next step. Freshmen Jordan Clay, Trez Davis, and Ohio State transfer Bodpegn Miller give Cummings plenty of speed and size to mold.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Washington corners Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis already turned heads with strong testing numbers on Friday. Now, the spotlight shifts to the offensive side of the ball. A fast 40-yard dash and smooth footwork in the gauntlet drill on Saturday will solidify Boston’s draft stock as an early-round lock.
For the Huskies, the 2026 season is about proving the developmental pipeline works. Cummings built Boston into a Sunday player. If he can replicate that success with Roebuck and engineer an offensive attack that shreds Big Ten defenses without a traditional coordinator, Washington remains a serious threat to make a deep College Football Playoff run.
