The Washington Huskies have high hopes for their offensive line and expect it to be one of the best groups in the Big Ten in 2026.
A lot of that hinges on the success of true freshman Kodi Greene at left tackle. However, after listening to offensive line coach Michael Switzer and several members of his unit talk about the former five-star recruit, you’d think that he’s a seasoned veteran.
“He’s an absolute stud,” sophomore John Mills said after practice on Thursday. “I’m so proud of the way he’s come in and worked every single day. He never takes anything for granted; he’s come in and asks all the questions, he works in the weight room, and he works on the field. I’m sure you guys can see he’s an absolute baller.”
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As right tackle Drew Azzopardi called the product of Mater Dei High School in Southern California a freak, offensive line coach Michael Switzer echoed that sentiment of Greene’s work ethic both on and off the field.
“Kodi Greene’s done some impressive things out here,” he said. “He’s talented in terms of his athleticism and his ability to play the game of football, but what I’d say is most impressive is his what he’s doing in the film room, how he’s understanding defenses, how he’s communicating with the offensive line. He’s taken it very serious since the day he got here, and it’s showing; he’s doing some nice things.”
There are also few better schemes to get him prepared for the rigors of his first season of college football and the Big Ten than what defensive coordinator Ryan Walters is throwing at him and the rest of the offensive line, as Washington’s pass rush caused some problems during Thursday’s practice.
Throughout the workout, Walters deployed various forms of blitzes and stunts that put a lot of pressure on the offensive line and quarterbacks, causing them to hold the ball at various points, which would lead to sacks in live action. Washington’s defense also did a good job of punching the ball out, with safety Alex McLaughlin forcing a fumble on wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck after a big gain on a long screen play, and defensive tackle TI Umu-Cais getting the ball away from running back Ansu Sanoe on back-to-back plays.
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That forced Jedd Fisch to pause practice and have the entire offense run a lap around Husky Stadium, much to the delight of the defensive players, who were in their ears yelling at them every step of the way.
On an otherwise short, somewhat light practice day ahead of Saturday’s scrimmage, here are some of the other noteworthy happenings.
Spring practice notebook
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Freshman wide receiver Jordan Clay was not suited up for practice on Thursday and was spotted with a wrap around his right hand. He joined injured receivers Bodpegn Miller and Christian Moss on the sideline
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With Clay out, it was another solid day for freshman wide receiver Trez Davis, who continued to take reps with the first team. He created separation from Washington’s starting cornerbacks on several occasions to pick up chunk plays during various team periods.
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Walk-on cornerback Kayden Greene, Kodi’s older brother, had a nice day with a sack on a well-designed blitz during a team period and an interception during a one-on-one drill.
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During a two-minute drill to close out practice, Rashid Williams was the go-to guy for quarterback Demond Williams Jr., making several contested catches to help move the first team offense into the red zone. The second team ended practice after its drive, when Stanford transfer Elijah Brown threw a strike over the middle of the field to freshman wide receiver Mason James.
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The biggest play of the day goes to sophomore receiver Justice Williams, who hauled in a perfectly placed 40-yard pass from Treston Kini McMillan while tumbling to the turf down the near sideline, right in front of the defensive bench.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Huskies rave about freshman LT at spring practice
