The Husky football season begins at the end of next month. Continuing our look at this year’s program, let’s turn our attention to the most important position group on the offense. The Washington offensive line is where everyone wants to see answers. Zero starters return from its Joe Moore Award-winning unit last season. It added a handful of transfers, but will still be one of the biggest question marks for Washington’s first season in a new league. With the uncertainty, there’s likely to be a lot of rotation among this group all season. There’s an incentive to get as many of these players game reps as possible as their development continues. However, as far as projecting the August 31st starters on the Washington offensive line, these are the players that make the most sense right now.
Right Tackle: Drew Azzopardi
Washington will get some experience at right tackle in San Diego State transfer Drew Azzopardi. The redshirt sophomore played in 12 games for the Aztecs last season with six starts at right tackle. At 6’-7” and 308 pounds, we saw the new Husky line up consistently at right tackle this Spring, after some early snaps at left tackle. Azzopardi was the only healthy non-freshman or redshirt freshman in April. He solidified himself as the sure-thing starter at right tackle. He’s just a sophomore, but the former Aztec played over 400 meaningful snaps as a redshirt freshman last season at right tackle. Azzopardi’s athleticism and feel for the right side of the line make him the best option for right tackle on Washington’s offensive line.
Right Guard: Enokk Vimahi
This Washington offensive line could be majority transfers when the season begins, and it might include Ohio State transfer Enokk Vimahi. The former Buckeye has seen the field for five seasons of college football at the Big Ten level. But he has very limited experience in that time, with a total of just 375 snaps. Vimahi has lined up at guard for all but five of his 26 games played in Columbus. The new Husky has two starts under his belt, including the most recent Buckeye outing in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri. There, he allowed just one quarterback pressure in 57 snaps played. We haven’t had the opportunity to see Vimahi in purple and gold yet. But in terms of projecting a starter at right guard, Vimahi’s longevity at the Big Ten level is enough to slate him above the younger players with little to no experience.
Center: D’Angalo Titialii
D’Angalo Titialii took his official visit to Washington on April 19th during a Thursday practice this Spring. He was extended an offer following practice, and that evening the former Portland State offensive lineman accepted. Titialii brings loads of experience at the FCS level to Washington, having played in 36 games with 28 starts. Last season, all 10 of his starts were at center. In the two years prior, all but one of his starts were at left guard. Titialii stands at 6’-2” and 325 pounds with the build of a true interior lineman. With the uncertainty of Landen Hatchett’s return timeline, Titialii’s experience at center makes him the best option at this point in time. Pending Hatchett’s return, things could shift around as the season approaches or gets underway.
Left Guard: Gaard Memmelaar
Switching to the left side, Gaard Memmelaar is someone we did not get a chance to see this spring. But he’s a likely starter on the Washington offensive line. Memmelaar was injured during Fall camp of 2023 and missed the entire season. Like Hatchett, Memmelaar is working to get back to full health. His injury was a few months before Hatchett’s, so it’s possible he’ll be cleared by the time camp rolls around. If that’s the case, the fifth-year junior projects as the best option for Washington at left guard. Defensive lineman Sebastian Valdez described Memmelaar as the strongest player on the team. A great quality for an interior offensive lineman in a pro-style offense. Memmelaar is 6’-4” and 300 pounds. He began his career at Washington in the 2020 season but has just four games played on his resume. All four were in 2022 where he tallied just 58 snaps. But the mental reps that Memmelaar has taken along with the time spent in the program are a good indication that he’ll be the best option to start the season at left guard.
Left Tackle: Soane Faasolo
The left tackle spot on this Washington offensive line is going to be a battle this Fall. There are a handful of players who should get their shot at the position. They include redshirt freshmen Soane Faasolo and Elishah Jackett, junior transfer Maximus McCree, and even true freshman Justin Hyklema. But if we have to project to August 31st, size, strength, and at least some time spent in the system are vital to the left tackle spot. With Faasolo, Washington can check those boxes.
Faasolo is 6’-8” and listed at just under 300 pounds. He redshirted last season, seeing no playing time. But he’s one of just two true left tackle options to have spent all last season on the roster and participate fully in Spring practice. The other being Jackett. This Spring, we saw Faasolo line up consistently on the left side of the line with the ones, opposite of Azzopardi. The former three-star recruit with a basketball background will likely top the 300-pound threshold by the time the season rolls around. When you combine his size, athleticism, and tenure in the program, Faasolo projects as the best option for Washington at left tackle on August 31st.
