The Washington Huskies saw a pair of key depth pieces along the offensive line depart through the transfer portal, including center Zachary Henning, who is expected to play a key role with coach Jedd Fisch's former program, the Arizona Wildcats.
Henning, who played in all 13 games for the Huskies in 2025 and started four in the middle last season, is now expected to take over the full-time starting role with the Big 12 program this fall.
After earning a 66.7 in pass blocking grade and a 65.7 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last fall, Henning would have been an important piece of depth for position coach Michael Switzer's unit behind senior Landen Hatchett. However, he chose the transfer portal for the exact opportunity that he found
in Tucson.
"When you watched Zach's tape, he jumped off the tape at you," Arizona offensive line coach Josh Oglesby said during spring practice.
"Being in an offense that was multiple is beneficial, and understanding he has been exposed to multiple things. His athleticism that you saw on tape was something that was really enticing. He wasn't an easy get. There were a lot of people that wanted his services, but preaching to him the opportunity to be developed and giving him Ka'ena Decambra's story of where he started and where he finished. It was something that was interesting to Zach, and he has jumped in the room and fit in perfectly."
Henning would have allowed the Huskies to keep Geirean Hatchett at right guard to compete with redshirt freshman Champ Taulealea, after the seventh-year senior stepped in at center during spring practice as his younger brother recovers from a broken wrist. However, he suffered an arm injury during the second workout that forced him out for the rest of the spring, which thrust redshirt freshman Jake Flores into the starting role at center.
While the former three-star recruit performed admirably in the middle, Henning's departure could be notable if the Huskies' injury woes at center continue.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Former Washington OL expected to assume starting role at Arizona
