Offensive lineman Paki Finau will become the 13th player to leave the Huskies via the portal
The Washington Huskies football program's future looks bright.
The Dawgs' recruiting success comes on the heels of a 9-4 season, capped off with a 38-10 win in the Los Angeles Bowl over Boise State. The bowl win secured a three-win improvement from Jedd Fisch's first year as head coach last season.
Before Washington sees its chickens come to roost in the future, it has to navigate what's shaping out to be a tumultuous present.
There are 12 players who were on the Huskies' roster this past season that have announced they will enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2 and more are expected to enter it.
A key contributor from this past season will also join his former teammates in the transfer portal.
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On Jan. 1, offensive lineman Paki Finau announced that he would enter the transfer portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
Finau, a redshirt freshman, was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024 out of Oak Hills High School in Hesperia, Calif. He was ranked as the 18th-best interior offensive lineman in his class by 247Sports.
Finau was recruited by former Washington and current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Finau had the opportunity to compete for a starting job this offseason, but lost the left guard battle to true freshman John Mills.
Finau sat behind Mills and also was behind the team's other starting guard, Geirean Hatchett, throughout the season.
Despite not earning a starting role coming out of training camp, Finau still made an impact on the team.
Finau made appearances in all 13 of the Huskies' games and started four (all at guard). Finau played a total of 426 offensive snaps and didn't allow a sack.
Finau's departure from the programs increases Washington's need to find both starting-caliber and depth players in the portal.
Sophomore Adam Mohammed, who was expected to be the team's starting running back in 2026 with Jonah Coleman entering the NFL Draft, announced his intention of testing the portal.
Freshman wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright, who likely would have seen an increased role with Denzel Boston entering the draft, as well, will also be in the portal.
The Huskies will get some offensive line help from their '26 recruiting class. The only five-star player Washington recruited, Kodi Greene, is ranked as the 20th-best player in the nation according to 247Sports and is ranked the fourth-best offensive tackle in the country.
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