Husky Position Battles: Left Guard

The Husky offensive line has shown a consistent group of starters across four of the five positions for most of the offseason. At left guard, there appears to be one of Washington’s closest position competitions on the roster. Redshirt freshman Paki Finau and true freshman John Mills are in a fierce battle, taking turns with the first team all Fall. With the remainder of Fall Camp closed to the media, here’s what we know about the competition ahead of the week one bout with Colorado State.

Left Guard Competition at Washington

The Case for Finau

It has been well documented that Jedd Fisch is no stranger to playing true freshmen and redshirt freshmen. When discussing the youth of Finau and Mills, Fisch repeatedly recognizes the accomplishments of offensive linemen Wendell Moe and Jonah Savaiinaea during his time at Arizona. In 2023, Moe earned Freshman All-American honors at left guard following his redshirt freshman season with the Wildcats. Savaiinaea was a Freshman All-American the year prior. Finau is a redshirt freshman this season at left guard, and the coaching staff believe s he’s well within the competition with Mills to earn the starting role. 

“He did some really nice things in the Spring,” offensive line coach Michael Switzer said this offseason during media availability. “He improved greatly from last season to this season and obviously got to play a little bit towards the end of last season.” Finau’s most significant role came in the Sun Bowl against Louisville, where he played 42 snaps. His run blocking grade was a 71.9 according to Pro Football Focus. That’s a few notches above the average player’s performance at the position. Finau allowed just three quarterback pressures that game. 

Finau played 51 total snaps as a true freshman last season. That experience, though limited, is quite valuable going into a season where he may be expected to become the everyday starter at left guard. Having seen college defensive linemen in four games is an advantage that Finau brings to the position bat tle. Finau is listed at six-foot-five and 310 pounds on the Husky roster.

The Case for Mills

With Mills, the only real differentiator is that he hasn’t played a down of college football. The six-foot-six, 320-pound left guard has been just as impressive as Finau this offseason. One of the things that stands out for Fisch is Mills’ physical changes since arriving on campus. “I like the way Mills has really kind of changed his body in a short period of time,” Fisch said this Fall. “[He] has really gotten himself in position to compete and play.” 

“He’s lost about 15 pounds of what he needed to lose,” Fisch continued. “He’s really gotten himself stronger; he’s gotten himself a little bit better conditioned. And I love the way right now he’s running a lot better, running faster. If you watch th e way our o-linemen with run blocking, we take off on the ball, we run.” 

This Fall, Washington suited up for a full scrimmage and a Mock Game, and Mills started both at left guard. He and Finau rotated with the starters almost every drive. But it says a lot about what the staff thinks of Mills with him as the first guy in the rotation. When discussing Mills this Fall, Fisch again recalled his Freshman All-American offensive linemen at Arizona.. “It’s a little bit different world out here in the Big Ten in terms of the size of the defensive linemen,” Fisch said as he compared what it’s like to start as a freshman on the offensive line. “[But] John Mills is a big dude… Paki is a big dude.”

Expectations at Left Guard

In terms of what you can expect at left guard for the beginning of the season, it’s rotation. “John Mills and Paki Finau are still in a good competition,” Fisch said during the final media availability of Fall Camp. “[We] should probably have both playing at some point. I would expect alternating in some regard. But really good job by Mills stepping in as a true freshman, and Paki keeps getting better.”

Last season, Washington allowed 39 sacks (121st nationally) and 130 quarterback pressures (122nd nationally). Shoring up the protection is a significant priority, and the offensive line is being built with experience this season. Both Finau and Mills have shown they’re capable of starting at left guard. But in terms of a prediction, Finau likely has the advantage due to his experience having seen action in four college football games already. But as Fisch mentioned, the two will rotate. Mills is going to play early and often, likely starting a handful of games this season.