Denzel Boston Heads to Cleveland, and the UW Pipeline to the Pros Keeps Rolling

Denzel Boston waited his turn. For two years, he watched three Washington wide receivers get their names called in the 2024 NFL draft while he was still finding his footing at UW. Rome Odunze went to Chicago at No. 9. Ja'Lynn Polk landed in New England in the second round. Jalen McMillan heard his name in the third round from Tampa Bay. On Friday, it was finally Boston's turn. The Cleveland Browns selected the 6-foot-4, 212-pound South Hill native with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.

From Redshirt to Star: Boston's Rise at Washington

Boston arrived at UW in 2022 under Kalen DeBoer and redshirted his first season. Then came the waiting game. During Washington's 2023 College Football Playoff run, he sat behind that elite trio of receivers, watching, learning, staying ready. When DeBoer left for Alabama after that season, Boston made the choice to stick around. That decision paid off in a big way under Jedd Fisch.

In his first two seasons with actual playing time, Boston caught just seven passes for 66 yards. Limited role, no buzz. But once Fisch brought him into the featured role, everything changed. In 2024, his breakout year, Boston hauled in 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. The conference took notice, tabbing him an All-Big Ten honorable mention. Heading into 2025, people were talking about him as one of the Pac-12's elite wideouts, and he proved them right.

The Captain's Final Season and a Remarkable UW Career

As a captain in his fourth season, Boston delivered 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns. He earned consensus third-team All-Big Ten honors and even earned All-Big Ten honorable mention status as a special teamer after returning a punt for a touchdown. Late-season ankle injury kept him from reaching 1,000 receiving yards, but nothing could diminish what he accomplished.

Boston finishes his Husky career ranked 14th all-time in receptions with 132. His 11 receiving touchdowns in 2025 rank sixth for a single season at Washington. He's also one of just eight players in program history to record 20 career receiving touchdowns. That company includes names like Jermaine Kearse, Rome Odunze, Dante Pettis, John Ross, Reggie Williams and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Boston is the second Husky drafted since Fisch arrived before the 2024 season. Linebacker and Woodinville native Carson Bruener went to Pittsburgh in the seventh round last year. The UW pipeline to the NFL keeps flowing, and Cleveland just landed themselves another piece.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.