Husky Roster Review: Finau Had Day In the Sun, Reaches For Moon

This is one in a series of articles -- going from 0 to 99 on the Husky roster -- examining what each scholarship player and leading walk-on did this past spring and what to expect from them going forward.

With the UW offensive line stitched together last season with an FCS player, an Ohio State reserve, a UW career sub and younger guys not quite ready for primetime, Fisch's staff used Finau in three early games in a mop-up role.

His coaches had to be real tempted to make him a starter by midseason, but wisely they let him concentrate on his weight-room demands and bulk up.

Every couple of months, he put on another 10 pounds until he shot over 300.

Finally in the Sun Bowl against Louisville, with the offensive line stumbling a bit and the Huskies down by two touchdowns, Fisch's staff inserted Finau at left guard in the second half and let him play.

He held up well as the UW scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns only to miss on a last-ditch two-point conversion pass and lose 35-34. Finau had been officially initiated.

In April, he occasionally gave way to one of the monstrous freshman, John Mills, while that newcomer received an audition, but Finau now looks big enough if not good enough to claim a starting job.

PAKI FINAU FILE

What he's done: Finau played briefly in the first three games against Weber State, Eastern Michigan and Washington State, then pulled 28 snaps against Louisville in El Paso, more than those other games combined. He had to be efficient in pass protection with all but four of his plays calling for a pass.

Starter or not: Finau looked like he belonged in the lineup in the Sun Bowl. He spent most of spring football with the No. 1 offense, too. He's still got to beat out those mammoth freshmen, but he seems ready to go.

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