Four-star safety Ladarian Clardy, out of Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida confirmed on Monday that he will take an unofficial visit to Washington just days before his commitment date, which is set for August 3.
Clardy will attend the inaugural “Luau at the Lake,” an unofficial recruiting event that Jedd Fisch and his coaching staff are hosting over the July 26 weekend, shortly before the start of fall camp.
#PurpleParty4Clardy ☔️🐺 pic.twitter.com/SqKO7w2axZ
— Ladarian Clardy (@_ladarian34) July 22, 2024
The inaugural luau, which is fashioned in the same style as Michigan’s “BBQ at the Big House,” could bring some higher profile prospects to Washington and create a buzz of what the future could hold for the promising 2025 class and beyond.
The majority of the 23 person class, which is ranked No. 17 in the country by 247Sports, is expected to be in attendance along with some top prospects in 2026, including four-star edge rusher Derek Colman-Brusa, the top in-state recruit.
Clardy has narrowed down his choices from ten teams to five top contentders: Central Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Washington, but hasn’t been able to contain his love for the Huskies
“I love, love, love Washington,” Clardy told Dawgman.com recently. “(Safeties) Coach (Vinnie) Sunsieri, that’s my guy. Him and (defensive coordinator Steve) Belichick, the way they coach you and the way they talk, I just vibe with them really well. Their resumes are unquestioned. They develop guys. They know how to coach you up and I just really feel comfortable with both of them.”
While both Florida State head coach Mike Norvell and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffen have pushed to keep him close to home, Seattle may offer something they can’t. Clardy grew up with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon and the nation’s No. 15 safety posted an image of the pair on social media, stating how proud of the former No. 5 overall pick he was and that he would join him in the NFL someday soon.
4 years ago today! Proud of you big bru see you in the league soon🤞🏽🤞🏽 @DevonWitherspo1 pic.twitter.com/BcS0eDBMyN
— Ladarian Clardy (@_ladarian34) May 5, 2024
Having that support system and the high level of experienced coaches could be exactly what Clardy needs to make the dreams off an NFL career come to fruition.
His brother, Ladarius “LD” Clardy, played quarterback at Kennesaw State University, and was killed in a shooting in 2021 while home visiting from college, and having a support system to lean on if he choose to venture away from home could be very beneficial for the young player.
Clardy’s relationship with Witherspoon and Washington’s coaching staff have been a major selling point throughout this process and could prove to win out in the final days of his recruitment.