Derek Colman-Brusa

Physical Profile

Colman-Brusa boasts an exceptional frame, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at a filled-out 295 pounds as an early enrollee freshman at Washington. This size is complemented by notable explosiveness and raw strength, cultivated in part by a successful high school wrestling career where he placed in the state tournament at heavyweight. His size and power allow him to play multiple positions along the defensive front, from a traditional edge rusher to an interior tackle, especially on passing downs.

Play Style

Colman-Brusa is a power-oriented, high-energy defensive lineman who wins with a combination of an explosive first step and brute strength. On film, he consistently shoots into the backfield, using his strong hands to jolt and discard blockers. He is a force-based rusher who excels at setting the edge in the run game and collapsing the pocket on passing downs. His motor is always running, which leads to high production in pursuit and on second-effort plays.

Strengths

• **Relentless Motor & Effort:** Praised universally by scouts for his non-stop motor and playing with his "hair on fire." He consistently pursues plays sideline-to-sideline and is never out of a play, tracking down ball carriers from the backside.
• **Explosive Get-Off & Power:** He demonstrates an explosive first step that allows him to consistently beat offensive tackles off the line of scrimmage. This initial quickness is paired with violent, clubbing hands and immense upper-body strength, enabling him to "rag doll" and overpower blockers.
• **Productivity & Versatility:** His high school production was outstanding, with 68 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in his junior season alone. His combination of size and athleticism gives him the versatility to play as a 5 or 7-technique in an even or odd front, with the ability to kick inside to a 3-technique role. He is already seeing reps on the interior in his first spring camp at Washington.
• **College-Ready Frame:** Arriving on campus at 17 years old already pushing 295 pounds, he has a physically mature build that is prepared for the rigors of Big Ten trench play. He possesses college-ready mass and is noted as being no stranger to the weight room.

Areas to Improve

• **Pad Level & Flexibility:** Like many young, tall defensive linemen, he can play too high at times. Improving his knee bend and overall flexibility will allow him to get more out of his powerful lower half and maintain better leverage against collegiate offensive linemen.
• **Pass-Rush Nuance:** Much of his current success comes from raw power and athleticism. As he faces more technically sound and physically gifted offensive tackles, he will need to develop a more diverse arsenal of pass-rush moves and counters to complement his bull rush.

College Projection

Having already enrolled at Washington and taken reps with the first team in spring practice, Colman-Brusa is on an accelerated development track. He is projected to play significant snaps as a true freshman and will likely not redshirt. His size and skill set make him a versatile piece who can be deployed as a strong-side defensive end on early downs and an interior pass rusher in obvious passing situations. He projects as a multi-year, high-impact starter for the Huskies.

NFL Outlook

With a 4-star rating, the top ranking in his state, and an elite physical profile, Colman-Brusa possesses a clear NFL upside. His frame, power, and relentless motor are the foundational traits coveted at the next level. If he continues to refine his technique and develops a more advanced pass-rush repertoire, he has the potential to be a high-round NFL Draft selection, with some analysts suggesting a ceiling as a first or second-round pick.

Best Fit

Colman-Brusa is a fit for a versatile defensive scheme that allows its linemen to attack from multiple alignments. A 4-3 base defense where he can be a traditional defensive end, or a multiple-front system like Washington's that will move him between the edge and the interior to create mismatches, would maximize his disruptive capabilities. His strength and motor make him an asset in any program that values physicality and relentless effort at the point of attack.