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Washington Huskies All-American LB announces plan for future

Sean Labarby:Sean Labar•01/25/22•

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The Washington Huskies received some major news on Tuesday night as the program shifts its vision forward under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound Washington outside linebacker, and third-team All-American in 2020, tweeted on Tuesday he will be returning to the Huskies’ for the 2022 campaign after spending a few weeks getting to know the new coaching staff.

Zion Tupuola-Fetui answered one question Friday, but another one looms.

While the staple on the Washingon Huskies defense over the last few years had already made it clear he wasn’t entering the NFL Draft, it was unclear if he would stick around with so much change from the top as the program transitions.

In December, he took to social media to provide an update that left fans curious about his future decision.

Tupuola-Fetui, who is from Hawaii, tweeted: “Back home on the islands. Done with school and time to enjoy the holidays with family. For those wondering, I will not be entering the draft this year. Thank you for your patience with these decisions.”

12 minutes later, the Washington Huskies LB followed up with yet another cryptic message. “Definitely a bigger decision to be made,” Tupuola-Fetui said.

Huskies LB corps is stacked

Seemingly overnight, Washington has one of the more formidable linebacker groups in the Pac-12, and quite possibly the entire country.

Earlier this week, the Huskies picked up Pitt transfer Cam Bright, who will immediately jump in and bring years of experience and production from his time in the ACC.

During his four active seasons at Pitt, Cam Bright worked his way up the depth chart. Beginning as a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor in 2018 after a redshirt year, Bright became a regular starter in 2020 and a team captain in 2021.

Bright closed out his Pitt career with 182 tackles, 20.5 tackles for losses, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and one interception over 51 games..

What does Cam Bright bring to Washington Huskies?

Bright originally hails from the state of from Alabama and was a 3-year starter for Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers. The Huskies are perilously thin at the linebacker spot after they lost Will Latu, Miki Ah You, MJ Tafisi, and Jackson Sirmon since the start of fall camp.

Cam Bright showcased his versatility in a 4-3 system last season. He closed out the year with 58 tackles, 19 QB pressures, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception for the Panthers.

Bright joined Pitt in 2017 after an outstanding season at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama. As a senior at Park Crossing in 2016, Bright racked up 131 tackles, 23 tackles for losses and 16.5 sacks, with his sack total tying for the highest in the state. But despite that impressive showing, Bright drew just four offers and chose Pitt over Bowling Green, Georgia State and Miami (Ohio).

With just one season of eligibility remaining, it’s clear that the former Pitt Panthers’ star formed a bond with new Washington Huskies’ front man Kalen DeBoer. While it’s unclear how Bright will be utilized on defense for the Huskies’, a productive season in the Pac-12 could bolster his chances in the NFL.