Washington had one of the better offensive lines last season in the Big Ten. In part because of a stud freshman along the line, John Mills. According to PFF College, he was the top graded pass blocking freshman offensive lineman last season with a score of 80.2. That score is impressive for any year of school, but even more so as a true freshman.
This is just one of many accolades he accumulated from last season, and this season, there may be another true freshman ready to do the same thing for the Huskies in 2026.
Highest Graded True Freshman OL Last Season | Pass Block Grade:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 22, 2026
🟣 John Mills, Washington: 80.2@UW_Football pic.twitter.com/qsVLfjTFTa
John Mills is a very decorated true freshman along the offensive line
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There are a few positions that are hard to play as a freshman; the hardest as a young player has to be offensive line. Often, linemen spend their first season redshirtting, and even as a redshirt freshman, they probably won't find the field. It's that third year where many will see action and snaps. Not only did Mills become a starter, but he also played multiple positions along the line.
In an even more impressive way, Mills became a decorated player as a freshman, earning this accolade from PFF, and was named to the On3.com True Freshman All-America team and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media.
Mills returns now for his sophomore year with experience and is ready to take his game up a notch. But also to mentor the 5-star true freshman that's coming in behind him. A player who will also be handed a starting spot and expected to become decorated in his own right, Kodi Greene.
The Husky offensive lineman has even mentioned that the goal this season is to win the Joe Moore award (the honor bestowed on the top offensive line in college football). That would be impressive, but even more so with a true freshman and a true sophomore as part of the anchor.