Hard-hitting linebacker Madden Faraimo could dominate at Washington

The talented Madden Faraimo visited the Huskies this past weekend and is a major target for the staff and for good reason, he can immediately raise the ceiling of a defense as a freshman.

With the Washington Huskies recruiting weekend extravaganza in the books, it’s now a waiting game to see which players who visited the program will end up committing to Jedd Fisch’s coaching staff. Linebacker has been a focus for the staff with the two incumbent starters Alphonzo Tuputala and Carson Bruener both in their final year of eligibility. With two other seniors behind them set to depart too, there is also a lack of depth meaning that next season, plenty of opportunities will be available to younger players.

Coach Jedd Fisch is pushing to secure a commitment from the top in-state prospect, four-star linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, but is also looking for other reinforcements at the position. Four-star JSerra Catholic product Madden Faraimo was one of the 16 players to take an official visit to the school last weekend and would make for an impressive duo with Rainey-Sale.

Faraimo does not belong on the field with other high school athletes, he has a sturdy build with even more room to add weight to his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame when he gets to the college. It looks like he could easily carry close to 240 pounds if that is his preferred playing weight.

When on the field, Faraimo makes sure to make offensive players aware of just how big he is, routinely laying bone-shaking hits on receivers and punishing running backs who find gaps in the defensive line. College-ready defenders are a rare commodity and Faraimo pairs excellent instincts with a drool-worthy frame.

Improving in coverage will be Faraimo’s main task in college, he does have some experience in coverage but much of it comes from a safety position. He even got some reps as the single-high safety, which is uncommon for larger linebackers. As he matures and continues to develop his instincts, learning to drop into coverage from the linebacker position will be integral. The physical and athletic traits he possesses should make this transition even easier.

Faraimo has the versatility to fill all three linebackers’ positions. Right away his best fit may be at SAM for his run-defending prowess but as he becomes more comfortable with the speed of the college game, a move to MIKE should absolutely be feasible.

For the Huskies, getting a player of Faraimo’s high floor and high-ceiling skillset should be a major priority for the team. He already feels like someone who has an NFL future and should only continue to improve with improved coaching and more of a focus on a traditional linebacker mold.

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