SEATTLE — The Washington Huskies are entering this season with lofty goals. Some coming from outside the program, others coming internally.

One of the most lofty goals the team had for itself came from the offensive line group.

Early in the offseason, 2025 All-Freshman offensive lineman John Mills stated the group is chasing the Joe Moore award, which is annually awarded to the best offensive line in the country.

"That's a goal of theirs and we've talked about it as a group," Huskies offensive line coach Michael Switzer said in a news conference March 30 at the Touchdown Terrace at Husky Stadium in Seattle. " ... We got together for the first time in January. All we can worry about is getting better each day. Obviously having a goal in sight that's far, far off — I think we've got to focus on, how (we) get better as individuals throughout spring ball. And even more importantly, how (we) get better as a unit throughout spring ball. I love that they have that thought and that goal and that's fantastic but our real focus is how do we continue to be as good as we can be as fast as we can be this spring."

So far this season, Washington's offensive line has done just what Switzer has challenged them to do. And it's done so with new faces and while navigating injuries.

Senior offensive lineman and starting center Landen Hatchett is still out due to a broken right wrist he suffered in a game against Illinois on Oct. 25, 2025. The team's starting left tackle from last season, Carver Willis, is also attempting to go pro and will hope to hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.

So far, the fill-ins for those two players have drawn rave reviews.

Five-star offensive lineman and the top overall recruit of the Huskies' top commit in the 12th-ranked 2026 recruiting class, Kodi Greene, has received the vast majority of the team's first-team reps at left-tackle this spring and seems. At this point, it seems like a formality that the 18-year-old will be tasked with protecting junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr.'s blindside this season.

"(Greene's) an absolute stud," Mills said after a spring practice April 16 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. "I'm so proud of just the way he's came in and worked every single day. He's never taking anything for granted."

Greene, listed at 6-foot-6, 321 pounds, is in a similar position as Mills was last year as a true freshman. And, fittingly enough, Greene has been getting pointers from the Mills off and on the field. The latter has been playing at the left guard spot.

In addition to growing as a leader and as veteran, plus providing a helping hand to the likely-true freshman starter in Greene, Mills has also taken steps to refine his game.

The near-universal All-Freshman offensive lineman shed some weight this offseason, dropping to 330-335 pounds and is entering this season stronger.

"We talk about with John, the details of everything within his game. Refining his technique, refining his fundamentals," Switzer said Thursday. "He's got the physicality, he's dropped weight. ... he's moving in a different way. You separate yourself, playing offensive line, with the detail in which you play, with the ability to communicate at a high level. He's shown that he could be physical, he's shown he can do all that kind of stuff. But (it's about) how do we get him better with the small, small details with technique and fundamentals."

Mills hasn't been the only lineman who has taken massive steps forward this offseason.

Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jake Flores has stepped in as the starter at center for Hatchett the majority of this spring.

Flores has received the seal of approval from Switzer, as well as Mills and starting right tackle Drew Azzopardi, for his performance this spring.

Despite being out, Hatchett has taken advantage of his rare position watching the offensive line on the sidelines. Hatchett and Flores have spent the spring bouncing observations, techniques and ideas off each other that will likely benefit the former when he returns.

"I got to (work with) Jake Flores," Hatchett said Thursday. "And with him being thrown in, it's been cool almost learning more about my game through him. And things that I've learned about my game over the years of things he might struggle with on this rep or that I've struggled with in the past. And he does things, too, that I really like that I want to implement in my game. It goes back-and-forth."

The offensive line has steadily performed better in practice against a stout defensive line, even without being at full strength. In addition to Hatchett's injury, junior Sam Houston transfer portal addition Kolt Dieterich has also been unable to practice for most of spring.

A Joe Moore award is a high bar to set. But Mills, Greene, Flores, Hatchett and the rest of the offensive line seem to be taking legitimate steps toward reaching that goal.

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