SEATTLE, Wash. — Huskies left guard John Mills knows a thing or two about freak freshman.

He proved to be one last year, when he earned freshman All-American honors as a starter for the University of Washington football team as a 17-year-old. He sees something similar in Kodi Greene, who appears on track to start as a true true freshman at left tackle in the season-opening Apple Cup on Sept. 5

“He's an absolute stud,” said Mills after UW’s eighth spring ball practice on Thursday. “I'm so proud of just the way he's come in and worked every single day. He's never taken anything for granted. And he came in, he asked all the questions. He works in the weight room, and he works on the field. So I'm sure you guys can see he's an absolute baller.”

Working immediately with the first team from the opening practice, Green has held onto the spot. There’s much to learn before September, but the 6-6 321-pound 18-year-old has shown rare athleticism and effort since arriving at UW in January.