Who Will Be Washington's Next Dominant Blocking Tight End?

The Huskies have a history of producing NFL-caliber tight ends known for their blocking prowess.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:21am

With the departure of star blocking tight end Quentin Moore, the University of Washington football team is looking for its next dominant force at the position. Candidates include junior Decker DeGraaf, who has shown strong receiving skills, and freshman Baron Naone, who played in seven games last season focused primarily on blocking. The Huskies have a history of developing well-rounded tight ends, with the ability to block at a high level often being a key factor in their success and transition to the NFL.

Why it matters

Tight end has long been a position of emphasis for the University of Washington football program, with the ability to block effectively being a crucial trait. Finding the next dominant blocking tight end is important for the Huskies' continued success on offense and producing NFL-caliber talent at the position.

The details

Quentin Moore, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end from Kenmore, Washington, was known for his physical blocking prowess during his time at Washington. Now that he has moved on to the NFL, the Huskies are looking to replace that dominant presence. Junior Decker DeGraaf, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end, has shown strong receiving skills but is also being touted by Moore as a potential successor. Freshman Baron Naone, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end, played in seven games last season and was focused primarily on blocking, suggesting the coaching staff sees him as a potential blocking specialist.

  • Quentin Moore played for the University of Washington from 2022 to 2025.
  • Decker DeGraaf has been on the Huskies' roster since 2024.
  • Baron Naone joined the Huskies' roster in 2025 as a freshman.

The players

Quentin Moore

A 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end from Kenmore, Washington, who was known for his dominant blocking ability during his time at the University of Washington from 2022 to 2025.

Decker DeGraaf

A 6-foot-4, 245-pound junior tight end at the University of Washington who has shown strong receiving skills and is being touted by Quentin Moore as a potential successor for the Huskies' blocking tight end role.

Baron Naone

A 6-foot-4, 250-pound freshman tight end at the University of Washington who played in seven games last season and was focused primarily on blocking, suggesting the coaching staff sees him as a potential blocking specialist.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They might not want me to say, but I've got to give it to Decker. That's my guy.”

— Quentin Moore

What’s next

The Huskies will continue to evaluate Decker DeGraaf and Baron Naone during spring and fall practices to determine who will emerge as the next dominant blocking tight end.

The takeaway

The University of Washington has a rich history of producing NFL-caliber tight ends known for their blocking prowess, and finding the next player to fill that role will be crucial for the Huskies' continued success on offense and in developing pro-ready talent.