Sure, it’s week 1, but Washington’s tackles of Drew Azzopardi and Carver Willis, have drawn rave reviews by Pro Football Network’s Cam Mellor.

In UW’s 38-21 victory over Colorado State, the former PFF analyst has rated the Husky offensive line bookend tackles as PFN’s number 1 and number 5 performers.  Both players were acquired through the Transfer Portal, Azzopardi from San Diego State ahead of the 2024 season while Willis signed ahead of the 2025 season.

Mellor graded out Azzopardi with an 89.4 rating while Willis checked in with an 83.1.  Washington’s head coach sang a similar tune, noting the challenges laid before the 6-7, 317 right tackle.

“We gave him the challenge to be more flexible,” Jedd Fisch said Monday.  “We made him do yoga every week.  We made a challenge to him to make his body redefined–little bit less body fat, little more strength.  We worked really hard on his technique.”

And Azzopardi accepted the challenge.

Internally the Huskies had him as either the highest or second highest rated offensive lineman from the game.

“I thought he graded out exceptionally high in the group,” Fisch continued by listing the junior’s positive attribute from the game.  “He finished blocks.  He was taking guys and walking them back which is always good to see.  He plays with a nastiness which is good for offensive line play.  He did a good job in communication in pass protection.  He and (TE) Quentin Moore were a pretty tough duo when you start dealing with combination blocks and I felt that he improved in his pass protection.”

In the 4 quarters against CSU Washington runners delivered running back Jonah Coleman room to run, being named Big 10 Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week.  Coleman’s 177 yards on 24 carries is second in the nation.

Washington ball carriers got stronger as the night went on averaged:

4.4 2 yards per carry in the opening quarter, 5.2 yards in the second frame, 6.5 in the third stanza and finally 5.7 in the final period.  In the final quarter when UW was finally able to pull away, UW ran in backups whose job was to stay in bounds and run the game clock, skewing the yards per carry.  In fact, in final 3 minutes

“We felt as if his return as being as being a full time starter he was going to make a big jump, and I believe he has,” Fisch said.

Professional scouts feel the same way.