No Surprise, Huskies' Fautanu Chooses to Enter NFL Draft

Troy Fautanu, who emerged as the best lineman on the nation's top offensive line, said goodbye to the University of Washington football team, revealing he will enter the NFL draft.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-4, 317-pound Fautanu posted his intentions on social media, which meant the junior would pass up a final season of eligibility available to him after spending five years in Montlake.

The Las Vegas-area product leaves two days following the Huskies 34-13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff championship game, and within 24 hours of sophomore starting wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk announcing his decision to turn pro, as well.

While in Houston for the CFP, Fautanu was quizzed at media day about his possible interest in the San Francisco 49ers and whether he was a pro tackle or guard after spending time at both positions at the UW.

"For me, I don't care what I play," he said. "Any team that's willing to take a chance on me, I'll play whatever position — whether it's offensive line, running back, fullback. Put me wherever and I'll do the job."

Tetelestai💜 #GodIsGood pic.twitter.com/z40gTOlYKo
— Troy Fautanu ™ (@tFautanu) January 10, 2024

As far as the 49ers, Fautanu acknowledged paying plenty of attention to the Bay Area franchise, though he's open to whoever wants his services.

"Oh, for sure, we watch a lot of their film," Fautanu said. "Personally, I watch a lot of their film. It's cool to just turn on the tape and watch some of the guys on the offensive line, especially Trent Williams. It's really hard to emulate and put some of his stuff he does on the field into my game because of how talented he is. You can't really replicate some of the stuff.

"The 49ers, any team, like you said, whoever decides to take a chance on me, I'm willing to give whatever."

Fautanu comes off a sterling junior season in which he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and third-team AP All-America recognition, and possibly played his way into first-round draft status. He and his fellow Husky linemen received the Joe Morris Award that annually recognizes the best college line in the country.

Extremely mobile and physical, Fautanu played in 51 games for the Huskies and started 31, including all 28 in the Kalen DeBoer era at the UW. Only fellow tackle Roger Rosengarten and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. also opened every Husky game for DeBoer has coached.

A year ago, Fautanu contemplated turning pro but returned to the UW for another season after receiving a grade that projected him as a third-round pick. Deep consultation with his parents helped him make up his mind.

"The decision was ultimately up to me, but I had other people helping me out, especially my parents," he said. "My mom did not care about football. She was like, 'Go finish school.' That's what she was worried about, not whether I was getting drafted here or there. So that was her stance. My dad, he just, of course, went with my mom. Their decisions helped me and they've never led me astray."

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