One of Washington's new transfers is a preseason All-Big Ten honoree.
Punter Hunter Green, a Husky legacy who transferred from San Diego State this offseason, was recognized as a first team preseason All-Big Ten selection by The Athletic on Sunday. Their staff noted that Green averaged 47 yards per punt last season, a mark that was the sixth-best in the FBS, and landed 26 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. 22 of his kicks also traveled at least 50 yards.
Bow Down to the best leg in the Big Ten. @HunterGreen2022 | @TheAthletic Preseason 1st Team All-Big Ten ☔️ pic.twitter.com/Dfc8TsV34Y
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) July 27, 2026
Green was the only honoree from Washington across all three teams compiled by The Athletic, although they did note that quarterback Demond Williams Jr. would
be a first-team selection in most years. He was instead the fourth quarterback and therefore first off the list, following Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Oregon's Dante Moore, and USC's Jayden Maiava.
Green and Williams recently appeared on the East-West Shrine Bowl's 1,000 player watchlist for the 2027 edition of the college football all-star game. Among their teammates on that list are some of Washington's likeliest candidates to take home postseason awards despite not earning preseason ones. Linebackers Jacob Manu and Xe'ree Alexander have the talent to do so but may be hindered by playing in a loaded room that will lack designated starters while they, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, and Buddah Al-Uqdah share playing time. Safety Alex McLaughlin was an honorable mention All-Big Ten after last season, but the conference has a strong crop of safeties who will make it difficult for him to crack the lineup. Offensive lineman Drew Azzopardi and Landen Hatchett could also work their way onto the list with strong seasons.
Washington will undoubtedly be improved if Green lives up to the preseason expectations, considering how badly the Huskies struggled to punt the ball in 2025. Green's ability to boom the ball and flip the field will help a Ryan Walters-coordinated defense that was tremendous a season ago, but his ability to place the ball and pin teams deep will also bail head coach Jedd Fisch's offense out of some tough situations that they were forced into going for last season. That interplay will have positive effects for Green if it goes well, as he is among the preseason favorites for the Ray Guy Award and to be the first punter drafted into the NFL in the upcoming draft.
With 2025 punter Luke Dunne still on the roster and expected to handle holding duties - special teams coordinator Chris Petrilli called Dunne an "elite" holder this spring - Green will also be able to focus on punting. Washington will likely benefit from greater field position advantages as a result.
The Huskies open fall camp next week before kicking off the season with the Apple Cup against Washington State on September 6.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington football punter named to preseason All-Big Ten First Team
