Elite 2026 cornerback includes Washington in top five

The top cornerback on the West Coast included the Washington Huskies among his final five teams.

The Washington Huskies are looking to make a statement on the recruiting trail in the 2026 class, and securing a commitment from four-star cornerback RJ Sermons would be a great way for Jedd Fisch’s coaching staff to do just that.

On Tuesday morning, the 6-foot, 185-pound cornerback from Rancho Cucamonga High School in Southern California announced his top five, including Washington alongside Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and USC. Ranked as the nation’s No. 33 overall prospect and No. 2 cornerback, it won’t be easy for position coach John Richardson to secure his commitment, but the Huskies are making a strong push.

“What caught my attention [at Washington] was the facilities, the coaches, the people there, and the environment outside of football,” Sermons told On3’s Chad Simmons in August. “It’s a super nice town, and the coaches are super knowledgeable. [Defensive coordinator Steve] Belichick and coach J-Rich are super smart football guys.”

He took an unofficial visit to Washington on October 5, taking in the Huskies’ 27-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines after attending the coaching staff’s “Luau At The Lake” in July. Sermons is one of the most promising recruits on the West Coast thanks to his impressive athleticism, highlighted by his 10.48 wind-aided 100-meter dash time, but the Huskies may have an uphill battle to win his services.

Sermons’ father, Rodney, played running back at USC from 1994-1997, and On3’s recruiting prediction machine gives him a 96.9 percent chance of picking the Trojans.

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