UW Lands a Game-Changer: Five-Star OT Brandon Greene Flips from Oregon to Huskies
When it comes to offensive line recruiting, it’s hard to do better than Brandon Greene. And for the Washington Huskies, this is more than just a big-time commitment-it’s a program-shifting move.
Standing at 6'6" and 320 pounds, Greene already looks like he belongs on a college football field. But it’s not just the size that sets him apart-it’s the way he moves.
He’s light on his feet, agile in space, and finishes blocks with a nasty streak that offensive line coaches dream about. For the past two seasons, he’s been the anchor for one of the most dominant high school programs in the country at Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA), and he’s done it with a level of polish and physicality that’s rare for a high school lineman.
A Historic Get for the Huskies
Greene isn't just the crown jewel of Washington’s 2025 recruiting class-he’s one of the highest-rated players the program has ever landed. He’s ranked as the No. 20 overall player in the nation, the No. 4 offensive tackle, and the top player in the state of California.
That last part is huge: this marks the first time in the modern recruiting era that UW has secured California’s No. 1 player, according to 247Sports. Even Shaq Thompson, one of the most celebrated recruits in school history, didn’t quite reach that mark in 247’s individual rankings.
This is rare air for Washington. And it signals that the Huskies are swinging big-and connecting.
The Recruitment Journey: A West Coast Battle
Greene’s recruitment has been a rollercoaster that started early. Back when he was a sophomore at Eastside Catholic in Sammamish, WA, Greene was already on the radar of college football’s blue bloods-Alabama, Michigan, Texas, and more were all in pursuit. At the time, Washington had an edge thanks to former OL coach Scott Huff, but when Huff moved on to the NFL and Greene transferred to Mater Dei, the dynamic shifted.
Oregon pounced on the opportunity, and by mid-August 2024, Greene was a Duck. That commitment held firm for a while-but things started to change in early 2025.
Greene began making visits to Washington again, as well as to USC and Texas, both of which made strong pushes. But the real turning point came in February, when UW hired Marcus Griffin away from Cal to be its new Director of Recruiting.
Griffin’s impact was immediate. Greene’s visits to Montlake picked up, and by April 24, 2025, he officially flipped from Oregon to Washington.
His connections with head coach Jedd Fisch and offensive line coach Brennan Switzer played a role, but there’s no question: Marcus Griffin was the driving force behind this flip. And it didn’t hurt that Greene’s older brother, Kayden, is already on the Huskies’ roster.
What It Means for the Huskies’ Offensive Line
So what happens next? Naturally, fans are going to clamor for Greene to start right away-and who could blame them?
Five-star talent doesn’t come around often, and when it does, the expectation is immediate impact. But offensive tackle is one of the toughest positions for a true freshman to step into, especially at a high-level program.
Ideally, Greene would redshirt, get a year in the strength program, and then dominate for three or four seasons. But he might just be too good to keep off the field.
Washington’s offensive line is still relatively young. Projecting ahead to next season, the Huskies could line up with John Mills (So.) at left tackle, Paki Finau (So.) at left guard, Landen Hatchett (Sr.) at center, Champ Taulealea (rFr.) at right guard, and Drew Azzopardi (Sr.) at right tackle. That gives the staff some flexibility-and Greene a real shot to crack the rotation.
He could begin his career at guard, which is a path we’ve seen other elite tackles take before eventually moving outside. But don’t rule out the possibility of him pushing Azzopardi for that right tackle job. Greene’s run-blocking is already at a college level, and right tackle might offer a smoother transition than throwing him out on an island at left tackle from day one.
The Bottom Line
Brandon Greene is a foundational piece for Washington. He’s not just a high-profile recruit-he’s the type of player who can elevate a program’s ceiling. His commitment is a testament to the work being done behind the scenes, especially by Marcus Griffin, and a sign that the Huskies are serious about building a contender.
Greene has the tools, the mindset, and the pedigree. Now, it’s about development, fit, and opportunity. And if things go the way Washington hopes, we could be looking at the next great Husky offensive lineman-one who might be paving the way on Saturdays for years to come.