Washington Lands Former Kansas State RT Willis

Although UW starting right tackle Drew Azzopardi appears entrenched at his position, Willis could move to left tackle next season with UW, or stay on the right side to add competition for Azzopardi if the coaching staff elects to flip the former San Diego State transfer to the left side after struggling in 2024. 

Willis graded out as the No. 14 run blocking offensive lineman in the Big 12 this past season with the Wildcats, earning a 73.2 grade according to Pro Football Focus, while his two best single-game grades came in pass blocking; 85.2 Week 12 against Arizona and 85.4 Week 14 at Iowa State. 

In his five seasons in Manhattan the Colorado native logged 1,217 snaps at right tackle with just 67 total at left tackle (52 in 2020 and 15 in 2023), which suggests offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Brennan Carroll could choose to keep the veteran on the right side or flip him and help NFL teams show he could thrive on either side of the line.  

Over his four seasons of game action Willis has allowed just 4 sacks in 622 pass blocking snaps, with no more than 2 sacks given up in any one season with KSU. 

UW's four offensive tackles this past season combined to allow 13 sacks with Azzopardi credited with the most individual sacks (5), including three in the final three games against Penn State, UCLA and Oregon.