Jedd Fisch announces major updates to UW's struggling offensive line

This offseason, UW’s offensive line was expected to be one of the team’s strongest position groups. But despite the presence of four returning starters, an experienced transfer, a five-star freshman, and competitive depth, the Huskies’ front five have been a liability through five games.

Nobody in the Power Four conferences has been pressured more than Washington quarterback Demond Williams, who’s felt the heat on 38% (78 of 205) of dropbacks. Washington ranks 126th out of 138 FBS teams in rushing yards per game and 130th in third down conversion rate (29.0%). 

Now, head coach Jedd Fisch is hoping that changes to the lineup can resolve the unit’s troubles. During a Monday press conference, the third-year Huskies playcaller made several announcements regarding the future of Washington’s beleaguered blockers. 

Landen Hatchett finally returning from injury at center

Washington’s starting center from a year ago is finally set to return. Fisch announced on Monday that Landen Hatchett, who started nine games at center in 2025 before breaking his wrist in Week 9, is on track to play against Iowa on Saturday.

“I think, as we go into practice this week, we’re looking at Landen [Hatchett] back at center,” Fisch said. “We would be shocked if that’s not the case.” 

In Hatchett’s absence, Washington’s starting center has been transfer tackle Kolt Dieterich, who began practicing the position for the first time ever after arriving on Montlake for spring practices.

Dieterich has played decently well through five weeks, and on Monday Fisch was full of praise for his contributions at a new position. However, the third-year Huskies coach seems to believe that the return of the more experienced and confident Hatchett will benefit his squad.

“This’ll be the first game–if Landen’s back–we will be up front healthy, and we’ve been craving that for the communication part,” Fisch said. “So I’m excited to see what it looks like, and right now everything’s trending in that direction.”

Hatchett, who has started 15 games across his last two seasons with Washington, held the unit’s second-highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass grade–a respectable 77.1–in 2025.

Fisch announces sweeping positional rotations across the offensive line

Hatchett may be taking over at center, but Fisch doesn’t expect Dieterich to move to the bench. Not entirely, anyway. Instead, Fisch announced that players will be rotating in and out across the offensive line. As a result, star sophomore guard John Mills will see increased use at tackle, while Dieterich and struggling freshman left tackle Kodi Greene will both spend some time at guard.

“There’ll be some rotation there with Kolt [Dieterich] at center, Kolt at guard,” Fisch said. “There’ll be rotation with Kodi [Greene] at guard, John [Mills] at tackle. There’ll be rotation with Kolt at tackle, John at guard.”

There’s a lot to unpack there. Dieterich has never played a collegiate snap at guard, but having played two years as a tackle at Sam Houston and five games as a center for Washington, he’s likely to adapt to a third position fairly quickly. And with the other changes Fisch is planning, Dieterich may have to. He’s got an opportunity to start in place of Mills at left guard.

Fisch shifted Mills to left tackle for most of Saturday’s 25-21 loss, and stated postgame that his intention was to use Mills’ power to counter a tight USC bull rush. At the time, he refused to discuss his plans for the position’s future, but on Monday, he made it clear that Mills’ immediate future involved more reps at tackle. 

“I thought John [Mills] played really well at left tackle,” Fisch said. “As we evaluated how he graded out, he graded out at a high level.” 

Mills’ numbers are indeed special. His PFF pass blocking grade of 93.7 is the best among Power Four linemen with 200+ snaps, and he’s taken 317 snaps at two positions without drawing a penalty.

On the other hand, Greene has had some ugly moments, particularly in pass protection. The first-year tackle was limited to just 21 snaps against USC, but even in limited usage, his struggles were evident.

Greene tallied solid PFF pass blocking grades of 73.8, 86.0, and 79.7 in Weeks 2-4, but a poor Week 1 (35.4) and a disastrous Week 5 have lowered his average pass blocking grade to a measly 54.5. Though his struggles in the run game have been less severe, he’s yet to record a run blocking grade above 68.0. 

Fisch’s Monday press conference didn’t include any long-term guarantees, but he seems inclined to give Mills another opportunity at left tackle and Greene an opportunity on the interior.

“If we decide to move [Greene] back inside at this point in time or not, we’ll make that decision to see what’s best for the team,” Fisch said. “If we keep him outside, that means we believe that’s best for the team. But right now, I would say I was excited with the way John Mills played left tackle and the physicality he brings.”  

Despite the impending change, Fisch emphasized his continued belief in Greene’s abilities, and reminded reporters that his former Arizona offensive tackle, Green Bay’s Jordan Morgan, had to play guard during his first year in the NFL before then finding his footing back at tackle.

One way or another, Washington’s offensive line is likely to look very different when the Huskies host the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes at 6:00 p.m. on Friday night. 

Hatchett’s return at center, plus Mills’ potential debut at left tackle, could push both Greene and Dieterich into the hole made by Mills’ shift away from left guard. Seventh-year lineman Geirean Hatchett covered for Mills last week and played at both guard spots against Minnesota, but his pitiful PFF pass block grades from the two games–22.4 and 38.1–aren’t indicative of long-term starting potential. Greene or Dieterich could also make an appearance at right guard, where sophomore Champ Taulealea holds the unit’s lowest PFF offense grade (52.1) and most penalties (four in just 148 snaps).

Things haven’t gone right for Washington’s offensive line in 2026, but Fisch appears committed to finding the unit’s maximum potential at practices this week. 

“[Tuesday] will be a rotational day,” Fisch said. “[We’ll] get ourselves back in action, and we’ll play the best five for this moment in time.”

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