The University of Washington’s offensive lineman deficiency was noticeable throughout spring workouts.
The seven scholarship offensive linemen rarely rotated. At times, only half of the defensive line rushed, allowing half the offensive line to gather their breath.
The Huskies are now adding another body in the trenches.
Washington gained another transfer offensive lineman on Friday afternoon, with former Maryland offensive tackle Maximus McCree committing. The 6-foot-6, 290-pound offensive tackle recently finished his second term at Iowa Central Community College.
McCree is the third offensive lineman to announce a transfer to Washington this spring, following former Ohio State guard Enokk Vimahi and D’Angalo Titialii, a Portland State standout who attended Eastside Catholic.
McCree, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, played at Iowa Central in 2020 and 2021 after graduating from Grandview High School in Missouri.
His initial spell with the Tritons was a huge success. McCree was chosen a second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association for the 2020 season. A year later, he received first-team NJCAA accolades.
McCree’s impressive performances for the Tritons drew some recruiting notice in the 2022 cycle. He had offers from Missouri, Syracuse, and Temple, among others, but ultimately chose Maryland and coach Mike Locksley.
His time with the Terrapins did not last long. McCree appeared twice, in nonconference games against Buffalo and Charlotte. He left Maryland before the 2023 season and went back to Iowa Central.
McCree did not play in the 2023 season and was not on Iowa Central’s roster. All of the footage he shared over the last year was captured during Tritons’ sessions. If McCree does not use a year of his eligibility during the 2023 season, he could have three years left while entering his fifth season following finishing high school.
He joins an offensive line that hopes to replace all five starters from the previous season, when the Huskies won the Joe Moore Award.
McCree, who played tackle in all of the videos he shared on social media on May 10, has the opportunity to compete at a position with little returning experience for Washington. The Huskies currently have six scholarship tackles, but four of them—Soane Faasolo, Elishah Jackett, Justin Hylkema, and Davit Boyajyan—are redshirt or true freshmen.
Only sophomore tackles Drew Azzopardi, a relatively fresh newcomer who joined Washington before spring training, has collegiate experience. He appeared in 15 games over two seasons at San Diego State, including six starts at right tackle.
Chris Adams, a former Old Dominion offensive tackle, briefly committed to Washington before transferring to Memphis on May 6. McCree picked UW over offers from Houston, Florida Atlantic, UTSA, and Liberty, among others.
McCree, Vimahi, and Titialii bring Washington’s total to 14 scholarship offensive lineman heading into the 2024 season.
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