Star safety’s playmaking on full display for UW Huskies

SEATTLE – For the first time in his four-year college career, UW Huskies senior safety Alex McLaughlin is playing in the same defensive system for back-to-back seasons.

It’s clear he’s benefiting from the continuity under second-year Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

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McLaughlin has been a playmaking machine for Washington’s defense, filling up the stat sheet with two interceptions, three pass breakups, two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 22 tackles through three games.

McLaughlin is the only player in the FBS this season with at least two interceptions and two sacks, according to Stathead.

“I think just having a year under my belt in a system – that’s never happened to me in my career before, to be able to play (in the same system) two years in a row,” Walters said when asked about his success this season following UW’s 48-16 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday.

“And then just coach Walters putting me in positions to make splash plays.”

Alex McLaughlin PICK 👏 @UW_Football

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— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 12, 2026

McLaughlin, a native of Chandler, Ariz., spent his first two college seasons starring at FCS-level Northern Arizona, where he played under two different defensive coordinators. He was an FCS Freshman All-American in 2023 and a first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2024.

McLaughlin then transferred to Washington and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2025 after recording two interceptions, six pass breakups and three tackles for loss.

This fall, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety has seemingly elevated his game to another level, using his combination of speed, physicality and anticipation to make impact plays all over the field.

In the Apple Cup, McLaughlin snagged a tipped ball for a game-sealing interception in the Huskies’ 24-10 victory over the WSU Cougars.

In UW’s 16-14 win over Utah State the following week, McLaughlin delivered a pivotal two-play sequence in the fourth quarter where he blitzed off the edge for a sack and then wrestled the ball away from wide receiver Kaina Watson for an interception. He also had a third-down pass breakup and a third-down sack earlier in the game.

On Saturday, McLaughlin punched the ball out of Eastern wideout Wesley Garrett’s hands for a forced fumble that teammate Xe’ree Alexander recovered. And later on, McLaughlin nearly had another takeaway when he ranged across the middle of the field for a diving pass breakup.

Dawgs recover the forced fumble 😤 @UW_Football

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— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 20, 2026

McLaughlin credited UW safeties coach and former USC All-American Taylor Mays for helping him play with more anticipation.

“I’d say just my anticipation, my overall understanding of what’s coming in certain moments,” Mays said when asked about his biggest improvement this fall. “I just owe that credit to coach Mays on how he explains what’s coming in certain down-and-distances and certain parts of the game.”

McLaughlin has directly contributed to three of the Huskies’ seven takeaways, while anchoring a defense that’s allowed just 13.3 points per game.

“Just being super comfortable in the scheme and having great playmakers around me,” McLaughlin said. “So for me to do my one-eleventh, it becomes super easy with so many playmakers around you.”

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