Denzel Boston accomplished what he set out to do over his four years playing football for the Washington Huskies.
On Wednesday, the star junior wide receiver put a cap on his college career by announcing he is entering his name for the 2026 NFL Draft, ending his time on Montlake with the eighth-most touchdown receptions in program history and several unforgettable memories along the way.
The South Hill Little Leaguer turned standout pass-catcher for Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup arrived at UW as one of only 10 high school signees in the 2022 recruiting class when Kalen DeBoer replaced Jimmy Lake as the Huskies’ head coach.
Boston, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound, former three-star prospect, was one of three players from the Evergreen State who kept their original commitment they made to the program while Lake was at the helm, along with Tumwater tight end Ryan Otton and Sumner defensive back Tristan Dunn—neither of whom lived up to their higher rank as four-star prospects compared to Boston, who was ranked as the No. 17 prospect from the state by 247Sports.
Not only did the standout playmaker keep his word to play for DeBoer and wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, but he did so without having shown the then-new UW coaches what he was able to do on the field.
Nevertheless, Boston caught on quickly but didn’t see much production during his freshman year in 2022, playing sparingly behind Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan, who wound up as first, second, and third-round selections, respectively, in the 2024 NFL draft.
Unlike many players—especially wide receivers—instead of opting to enter the transfer portal, Boston waited his turn before getting the chance to start last season under first-year coach Jedd Fisch.
In just two years, Boston left his mark on the UW football program, hauling in 20 touchdown receptions—eighth most in school history—1,781 receiving yards and 132 receptions to go along with a perfect completion percentage and a 12-yard touchdown pass this past season against Illinois.
“Such a privilege to coach you the last 2 years,” Fisch said in a social media post responding to Boston’s draft announcement. “We will be showing your film to the next great Husky WRs! You are welcome back home always!”
Boston saved his best season for last in 2025, boasting a career-high 11 touchdown receptions—sixth most in a single season in UW history—and 881 yards while finishing one catch shy of his career-best 63 receptions, which he set in 2024.
The Emerald Ridge and UW product is expected to be a first-round pick in April’s draft, which would put a bow on a stellar prep and college career that helped put the program back on the map.