Washington Huskies OL Carver Willis taken in fourth round of NFL draft

Speaking at UW's Pro Day in March, Carver Willis was adamant that his time at Washington had been the best decision of his life.

Learning offensive scheme with NFL verbiage from coach Jedd Fisch, the UW left tackle said, had massively helped him during draft interviews. He enjoyed his brief time in Seattle.

And, after finally hearing his name called on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft, Willis can say he truly got everything he needed from his time at Washington.

Willis, a 6-foot-5, 303-pound offensive lineman, became the fourth Husky drafted Saturday, when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the fourth round with the No. 127 pick. He's the 12th UW player drafted by San Francisco, which most recently picked wide receiver Dante Pettis from Washington in 2018.

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Willis is the first UW offensive lineman drafted since Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten were selected in 2022. He spent a majority of his career playing tackle - he mostly played on the right at Kansas State, but exclusively lined up on the left during his lone season at Washington - but said he's been projected primarily at guard or center by NFL scouts during UW's Pro Day in March.

UW players watched Willis get drafted in the team meeting room before Saturdays' spring practice.

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The Durango, Colo., native's time at Washington was relatively short, though it didn't lack impact. Willis spent five seasons at Kansas State after playing at Durango High. His freshman campaign, in 2020, didn't count against his eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he redshirted as a freshman in 2021.

He played sparingly as a sophomore in 2022, appearing seven times, before ascending into a starting role at right tackle in 2023. Kansas State was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation's top offensive line, that season.

Willis played in all 13 games, making seven starts, and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention status from the conference's coaches. He allowed just 14 pressures and two sacks in 248 opportunities according to Pro Football Focus, helped running back DJ Giddens total 1,226 yards rushing, and guided the Wildcats to a nine-win season.

He returned to Kansas State and started 11 games in 2024, but wasn't able to maintain the same level of production. He allowed a career-high 24 pressures in 347 opportunities and committed a career-high six penalties, though he still helped Giddens rush for 1,343 yards.

Willis transferred to Washington before the 2025 season, his sixth year of college football. He spent spring practices and fall camp working on the transition from right tackle to left, where he'd played just 67 snaps at Kansas State.

His time in Seattle brought the stability the Huskies desperately needed. Left tackle had been a rotating door for Washington in 2024, as injuries and inexperience plagued the position.

Willis provided crucial experience and solid performances to an important position. He allowed 22 pressures in 311 opportunities, while helping UW total 2,151 yards rushing. The only hiccup in his lone season with the Huskies came when he tore his MCL against Ohio State, causing him to miss three games. UW surrendered 12 of their 34 sacks allowed during the four-game stretch impacted by Willis' injury.

In San Francisco, Willis will reunite with UW cornerback Ephesians Prysock, also drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round. He'll also have an opportunity to play immediately.

The 49ers lost starting left guard Aaron Banks in free agency before the 2025 season. Ben Bartch, Spencer Burford and seventh-round rookie Connor Colby all started games at left guard in Banks place, with mixed results.

Bartch and Burford departed for the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively, in free agency, meaning Willis and Colby can compete for the starting job on an offensive line that already has four players - left tackle Trent Williams, center Jake Brendel, right guard Dominick Puni and right tackle Colton McKivitz - already locked into starting spots.

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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 5:01 PM.