Under Jedd Fisch, the Washington Huskies coaching staff is putting a strong emphasis on in-state recruiting. The staff has secured commitments from five in-state prospects in the 2025 class and is looking to continue that momentum in 2025, where one of their targets is three-star linebacker Wassie Lugolobi of Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish.
He is ranked as the nation’s No. 32 linebacker and No. 5 prospect in the state by 247Sports and was one of countless attendees to Washington’s first-annual Luau At The Lake over the weekend, where he was impressed by what Fisch and co. have to offer.
“Every time I go up there, I have a great time,” Lugolobi told Dawgman.com’s Scott Eklund. “It was great to hear about the direction of the program, and what they are doing there, and how they are prioritizing the local guys.”
Linebackers coach Robert Bala has pushed heavily to secure some of the top players at the position in the region and cleaned up in 2025, where he reeled in the top two overall prospects in Washington, who both happen to play linebacker in four-stars Zaydrius Rainey-Sale and Jonathan Epperson.
They helped escort Lugolobi around on his visit, which according to the 6-foot-2, 215-pound prospect, helped add to the family culture Fisch is trying to cultivate.
“They kinda made it a family thing,” he said. “It was a great time and definitely showed me how much they are making guys like me a priority.”
Lugolobi was joined by some of the other top prospects in the state, including 2027 linebacker Liufau Loumoli, and 2026 edge rushers David Schwerzel and Fameitau Siale, who are ranked as the No. 3 and No. 6 players in the state respectively.
He holds just seven offers before the start of his junior season, but is very high on Washington, along with former Huskies linebackers coach, William Inge and the Tennessee Volunteers.
“Washington, Tennessee and probably Arizona State are the top three schools standing out to me. I’d throw Notre Dame in there too, but they haven’t offered yet,” Lugolobi said. “With Washington, where do I start? I had come out to a couple of games last year and they are so close to me and my family (geographically), it’s a school that should be up there for me.”
For Lugolobi’s full discussion with Eklund, click here.