Before Washington’s Sugar Bowl triumph against Texas on New Year’s Day, Troy Fautanu explained his decision to return for the season. Despite being a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 left tackle, he had the option to enter the 2023 NFL draft. A crucial factor in his choice was a conversation with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who expressed his desire to win a championship before announcing his return in 2023.
Fautanu recounted the exchange, stating, “He asked me what I was going to do [about my draft decision]. I asked him, ‘Are you coming back?’ This was the day before he announced his return in 2023. He told me that he wanted to win a championship. I thought about that and realized that was something I wanted as well. That’s the reason why I committed to UW, because in 2018, they won the Pac-12 championship. That’s something that’s always been one of my goals. Look at where we’re at now.”
After a rewarding fifth season in Seattle, which included winning one championship and losing another in the national championship game against Michigan, Fautanu declared for the 2024 NFL draft, opting not to use his final season of eligibility at Washington.
