Huskies Add Kansas State Tackle to O-Line Rebuild

The reconstruction of the University of Washington offensive line continued on Thursday with veteran tackle Carver Willis formerly of Kansas State committing to the Huskies -- their second new addition up front since the transfer portal re-opened.

The 6-foot-5, 291-pound Willis from Duranogo, Colorado, was the starting right tackle for the Wildcats since midway through the 2023 season, opening 18 games overall while appearing in 35. As a sophomore, he was selected All-Big 12 honorable mention.

Wills, who played 696 snaps this season and more than 1,000 in his college career, will skip Kansas State's appearance in the Rate Bowl against Rutgers on Dec. 26 in Phoenix. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Brennan Carroll, UW offfensive coordinator and line coach, has said the Huskies want their offensive linemen to be mobile -- and Willis more than demonstrated this trait (in the video below) by sprinting nearly 40 yards alongside running back DJ Giddens against Kansas in 2023.

He comes to the Huskies just days after 6-foot-5, 318-pound offensive guard Geirean Hatchett revealed he will be returning to Washington after spending this past season at Oklahoma.

The pursuit of a seasoned player such as Willis might have been the big reason redshirt freshman Kahlee Tafai, who started four games at left tackle, left the Huskies for the portal.