After receiving a scholarship offer from tight ends coach Jordan Paopao early in March, it didn’t take long for four-star tight end Vander Ploog to set up an official visit with Jedd Fisch and the Washington Huskies coaching staff.
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Ploog is ranked as the nation’s No. 14 tight end by 247 Sports and has set up an official visit to Seattle that will begin on May 3, when the Huskies host their spring game. Washington’s coaching staff will host some of its other top targets that weekend, including four-star wide receiver Cooper Perry and three-star offensive lineman Peter Langi.
Ploog is also set to take official visits to Arizona State, California, and Utah this summer, but it appears Washington might be the team to beat for his services at this point in his recruitment thanks to his relationship with Paopao.
“He’s into golf and I love to golf,” Ploog told Dawgman.com’s Scott Eklund after he received his offer. “We talk and our conversations are really easy. He’s easy to talk to and I really like him.”
After a great day at the UA All American camp I am grateful to be awarded with MVP!! @GregBiggins @UnderArmour @uaallamerica @ThsWarriorfball @TEAMTOARECRUITS @ChadSimmons_ @BlairAngulo pic.twitter.com/CP8OBHyejV
— Vander Ploog (@vander_ploog) March 25, 2024
While he hadn’t received an offer, Ploog had also built a relationship with Kalen DeBoer’s staff before it departed and took an unofficial visit to Seattle when the Huskies took on Utah in November.
“I loved the atmosphere when I was there. Seattle is a beautiful place and I loved how everyone there backs UW Football. It is a real college town there.”
Paopao is attempting to secure commitments from multiple tight ends in the 2025 class and finding a way to secure Ploog’s commitment would be an excellent building block for the rest of the class.