Quaid Carr's emergence key for Washington Huskies amid RB injuries

Scottie Graham, perhaps unsurprisingly, isn't a glass-half-empty kind of guy.

Some negativity might've been expected from the UW running backs coach this spring. Three of UW's top contenders - sophomore Jordan Washington, senior Jayden Limar and fifth-year running back Trey Cooley - to step into the featured tailback role have been ruled out of spring practices by injuries, leaving the Huskies with an extremely young group.

Graham isn't bothered. He's excited.

"The glass is always full on Montlake," Graham said.

The Huskies entered spring practices knowing it needed to replace its top two tailbacks from 2025. Jonah Coleman, UW's leading rusher during each of coach Jedd Fisch's first two seasons in Seattle, is headed to the NFL after exhausting his eligibility. Adam Mohammed, firmly entrenched as Washington's second-choice running back throughout the past two seasons, unexpectedly transferred to California during the offseason.

UW entered the spring with three main contenders to step into starting snaps: Washington, a 5-foot-10, 181-pound sophomore who totaled 233 yards rushing on 27 carries for the Huskies in 2025; Limar, the senior Oregon transfer who previously starred at Lake Stevens High; and Cooley, a late addition from the transfer portal with previous stops at Louisville, Georgia Tech and, most recently, Troy.

Limar and Cooley, however, were ruled out before spring practices started. Limar, listed 5-10, 205 pounds, underwent ankle surgery during the offseason and has been seen at practices in a boot. Cooley, a 5-10, 208-pound tailback preparing for his sixth and final season, is still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he suffered at Troy that cost him the entire 2025 season.

Their availability appeared to open the door for Washington, whose 68-yard touchdown against Purdue was UW's longest carry of 2025. But the Long Beach, Calif., native's spring ended abruptly during UW's third practice on April 4, when he sustained a neck injury that required him to leave in an ambulance.

The UW running backs coach called Washington's injury "heartbreaking," noting the third-year sophomore who followed Fisch and Graham from Arizona had done everything they asked to prepare for an increased workload this spring.

Washington was ruled out for the rest of spring practices, but Graham is optimistic about his recovery with the potential to be available for fall camp. The running backs coach added Washington has stayed involved with the team, watching film and sitting in meetings even though he can't participate on the field.

"Our central theme on our team is joy," Graham said. "When you preach joy, you live joy, you've got to have joy. You would think a guy in his position wouldn't have joy, but he's high-fiving and enjoying (himself)."

So with Limar, Cooley and Washington out for a majority of the spring, the door was left wide open for another player to move up the depth chart. No one has taken more advantage of the opportunity presented than redshirt freshman Quaid Carr.

"He's a complete football player," Graham said. "He's tough. He's a great teammate. He's smart, comes from a great family. Just a team-first player."

The 5-11, 189-pound tailback from Riverside, Calif., had the pedigree and high school production to be a highly touted recruit. Carr shined during four seasons playing varsity at Servite High.

He was a first-team All-Trinity League selection in 2023, totaling 1,201 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, then added 1,231 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns as a senior in 2024, according to MaxPreps. All while being a standout sprinter, with a personal-best 10.74-second 100-meter dash.

But his recruiting rankings never matched the on-field results. Carr was the No. 101 player in California, the No. 108 running back and the No. 1,322 player nationally during the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports composite ratings. Carr originally committed to San Diego State before flipping to UW shortly before the early signing period. He was UW's second-lowest-rated high school signee.

Graham, however, saw something more in Carr. Fisch's coaching staff had enjoyed success with Servite prospects in the past, and made sure to keep in contact with Carr as the recruiting cycle continued. Once Graham knew he was able to sign two tailbacks, he knew Carr was the perfect addition to his running back group.

Carr made his collegiate debut during UW's blowout win against Purdue, taking his lone carry 8 yards and adding a 5-yard catch. An ankle injury prevented him from seeing the field against UCLA or Oregon, but he got three carries against Boise State in the LA Bowl. Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. said Carr's explosiveness and vision have stood out since he arrived on campus.

"He's elite," Williams said. "He's got elite top-end speed. Very physical. Loves bringing the energy too. Having him back there with Jonah last year definitely showed him some things."

Carr has received a vast majority of UW's repetitions with the top offense throughout spring practices. And while Graham will have to reassess the group once Washington, Limar and Cooley return, the Southern Californian has put himself solidly in the middle of the open competition to become Coleman's successor.

"The way he's able to jump cut and squeeze through gaps is a super elite trait of his," Williams said. "I'm super excited to see what he does this year."

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