McLaughlin Finished Among Top 6 Big Ten Safeties

The Washington Huskies defensive back had a standout 2025 season and is poised for an even bigger 2026 campaign.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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University of Washington senior safety Alex McLaughlin was one of the highest-graded safeties in the Big Ten conference last season, finishing sixth according to analytics site Pro Football Sports Network. McLaughlin, who arrived at Washington from Northern Arizona a year ago, had a breakout 2025 campaign, leading the Huskies in tackles and making big plays in the secondary, including two interception returns for touchdowns. With several top Big Ten safeties departing, McLaughlin and Indiana's Amare Ferrell are poised to be among the conference's best at the position this upcoming season.

Why it matters

McLaughlin's strong 2025 season and high analytical grade show he has emerged as one of the top safeties in the Big Ten, a conference known for its defensive talent. His ability to make game-changing plays will be crucial for a Washington defense looking to build on a solid 2025 campaign and compete for a conference title in 2026.

The details

In his first season at Washington after transferring from Northern Arizona, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound McLaughlin started all 13 games for the Huskies and led the team with 93 tackles. He also had 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery, scoring touchdowns on a 47-yard interception return against Washington State and a 59-yard interception runback against UCLA. McLaughlin's standout performance against Illinois, where he had 12 tackles while holding the Illini's Miles Scott - the conference's top-graded safety - to just 6 tackles, was a highlight of his season.

  • McLaughlin arrived at Washington from Northern Arizona prior to the 2025 season.
  • In the 2025 season, McLaughlin started all 13 games for the Huskies.
  • On October 28, 2025, McLaughlin had 12 tackles against Illinois and held the Illini's Miles Scott to just 6 tackles.
  • McLaughlin scored touchdowns on interception returns of 47 yards against Washington State and 59 yards against UCLA during the 2025 season.
  • Washington's spring football practices will begin in just over 5 weeks in 2026.

The players

Alex McLaughlin

A 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior safety for the University of Washington Huskies, who transferred from Northern Arizona prior to the 2025 season and had a standout year, finishing as one of the top-graded safeties in the Big Ten conference.

Miles Scott

A senior safety for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2025, who was the top-graded safety in the Big Ten according to analytics, but was held to just 6 tackles in a game against McLaughlin and Washington.

Amare Ferrell

A senior safety for the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025 who was also one of the highest-graded safeties in the Big Ten, and is set to return in 2026 along with McLaughlin as one of the conference's top players at the position.

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What they’re saying

“Running and tackling, I feel that's my game.”

— Alex McLaughlin

What’s next

With several top Big Ten safeties departing after the 2025 season, McLaughlin and Indiana's Amare Ferrell are poised to be among the conference's best at the position in 2026.

The takeaway

McLaughlin's breakout 2025 season and high analytical grade show he has emerged as one of the top safeties in the Big Ten, a conference known for its defensive talent. His ability to make game-changing plays will be crucial for a Washington defense looking to build on a solid 2025 campaign and compete for a conference title in 2026.