Veteran Tackle Expected to be Face of Washington Football OL in 2026

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After struggling in 2024, Washington Huskies right tackle Drew Azzopardi put himself in the conversation for the most improved offensive linemen in the Big Ten in 2025.

Now, back for his third season under coach Jedd Fisch, the 6-foot-7, 322-pound former San Diego State transfer is out to prove it wasn't a fluke.

Azzopardi, who actually made his decision to transfer to Washington on December 18, 2023, before Fisch was hired to replace ex-coach Kalen DeBoer nearly a month later, allowed just one sack in 2025 and reduced the number of pressures he allowed from 29 down to 15.

Although the improvement put a spotlight on the Huskies' standout offensive lineman, Azzopardi opted to return to Seattle for another year instead of entering the 2026 NFL draft. Looking ahead to next April's selection process, Pro Football Focus listed Azzopardi as the No. 85 player on their initial 2027 NFL draft big board in May.

When UW opens fall camp in early August, the former Aztec will be arguably one of, if not the best, lineman that Fisch and second-year offensive line coach Michael Switzer have to protect quarterback Demond Williams Jr., a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

Last year, Williams made significant strides behind his offensive line, finishing the 2025 season second in the Big Ten averaging 282.8 total yards per game, only behind USC Trojans standout Jayden Maiava. This fall the two schools face off at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 3, an early test for Azzopardi and UW to prove the resurgence last season wasn't a blip.

Should Azzopardi and co. leave Southern California victorious, it could pave the way for the team to make a similar run that the 2022 team had under DeBoer, which started by having one of the best offensive lines in the conference.

Another potential All-Big Ten season for Azzopardi will certainly lead to him following in the footsteps of former starting left tackle Carver Willis by hearing his name called in the 2027 NFL draft

This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Veteran Tackle Expected to be Face of Washington Football OL in 2026

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