Top Returning Huskies: At No. 5, Fautanu Is Finding His Voice as a Leader

The UW left tackle has become more of a vocal presence heading into the season.

From day one, Troy Fautanu has always let his play on the field speak for itself.

Over the course of his four-year career at Washington, Fautanu has manned three different positions along the offensive line before solidifying himself at left tackle as a sophomore in 2022.

As Fautanu embarks on his second season as the Huskies’ starting left tackle, the Henderson, Nevada, product has embraced more of role as a vocal leader, even to his surprise.

“I’ve never been that way, honestly," Fautanu said during fall camp. "All throughout my life I’ve just never been the vocal guy."

Chosen to the preseason All-Pac-12 first team and the Outland Trophy Award watch list, Fautanu is fifth up in our continuing series counting down the top 10 returning UW players.

Fautanu's first-hand experience at left guard and right and left tackle enables him to be almost another coach for everyone on the field. 

UW left tackle Troy Fautanu (55) celebrates on the field following Washington's 37-34 victory over Oregon at Autzen Stadium in 2022.  :: Lars Hanson / UW Fan Nation

Coming into this fall, all three interior offensive line positions were up for grabs. That, in part, has given the Fautanu an opportunity to help out players such as junior Julius Buelow, who's been competing for the starting left guard position in camp, as well as others.

When Fautanu isn’t on the field, he’s taken a step back to watch the younger linemen and ingratiate things they do into his game. Prior to last season, he was one of those players on the cusp of making an impact and knows first-hand there’s always room for improvement.

“I’m still learning,” he said. “It’s always good to watch young guys and see how they do it, take that and put it in my game as well. Honestly, when I’m out on the field, I just try to keep the energy up. Everyone does a good job of that. We've got to continue to do that to be as good as we want.”

Fautanu was one of several players who could have decided to declare for the past NFL Draft but decided to return for another season. 

UW offensive-line coach Scott Huff likens Fautanu to another lineman Huff has coached and who ended up in the pros, former Boise State lineman Rees Odhiambo.

“Physically, they’re very similar,” Huff said. “Troy’s long. Even though he’s not a 6-6 guy, he’s got long arms. Super powerful. Bends really well. He’s really athletic. That was very similar to Rees.”

Odhiambo played both right and left tackle in his five seasons for the Broncos before being selected in the third-round and No. 97 overall) by the Seattle Seahawks in the 2016 draft.

With another season as the UW's starting left tackle, Fautanu could follow in a similar NFL footprint as Odhiambo. 

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