Tag: Washington Huskies Recruiting

Washington hosts multiple top DL prospects on official visits

The Huskies hosted multiple official visitors that could be big additions to the defensive line over the weekend.

In an effort to bolster the defensive line, the Washington Huskies hosted multiple high-caliber prospects on official visits over the weekend.

The coaching staff secured a visit from Washington native Jayden Wayne, who began his career at the University of Miami but opted to enter the transfer portal after his freshman season. As a high school prospect at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, after transferring from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wayne was ranked as the nation’s No. 14 edge rusher by 247Sports.

During his first year with the Hurricanes, Wayne played in 8 games, starting 1, and recorded 13 tackles, including a 0.5 sack. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound edge rusher has immense upside and athleticism and would be an intriguing developmental prospect for defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi.

The Huskies also hosted the best defensive tackle prospect on the West Coast for his official visit, four-star Josiah Sharma. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound product of Folsom High School in California committed to Washington in January, but backed off after Kalen DeBoer’s coaching staff departed for Alabama.

Coach Jedd Fisch is looking to add depth and talent at the position in 2025 and Sharma appears to be far and away the most important high school prospect at the position for his staff. It won’t be easy to reel him back in though, as he has also set trips to visit Alabama and Texas over the summer.

The coaching staff pulled out all the stops to try and earn some commitments over the weekend, as the defensive tackle posted photos of himself on social media wearing what appeared to be defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s Super Bowl rings.

Four-star PG Zoom Diallo reaffirms his commitment to Washington

The Washington Huskies retained the services of their top commit, four-star point guard and Tacoma native, Zoom Diallo.

The Washington Huskies were able to retain the services of their top signee from the 2024 class, four-star point guard Zoom Diallo, who reaffirmed his commitment to coach Danny Sprinkle earlier this week. The product of Curtis High School in Tacoma, Washington played his senior season at Prolific Prep in Napa, California, and is ranked as the nation’s No. 35 player by 247Sports.

“I was this close to going somewhere else, very close. I just stayed with my gut, stayed with my work, and I just trusted myself,” Diallo told Kim Grinolds of Dawgman.com. “I was going back and forth with Washington and another school but I knew it was going to be Washington three or four days ago.”

Diallo had privately changed his decision on his future school on a few occasions while deciding if staying with Washington after coach Mike Hopkins, whom he had originally committed to, was let go.

Retaining his services is a big win for Sprinkle’s offense, as the new head coach has rounded out his backcourt in recent days after adding commitments from four-star Jase Butler and Butler transfer DJ Davis to go along with Rice transfer Mekhi Mason.

On the floor, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Diallo is a true point guard who can be relied upon as both a passer and consistent scorer. While he’s not a consistent shooter at this point in his development, he will be a focal point of the offense.

“I’m a dude that is going to go out there and go get it,” he said. “I have a winner mentality. Do everything to win. My leadership is going to show to others. I’m going to be a positive spirit and be everything that a point guard is.”

Washington basketball adds Butler transfer DJ Davis

The Washington Huskies solidified their guard depth with Butler transfer DJ Davis, who committed to coach Danny Sprinkle’s team on Wednesday.

The Washington Huskies and coach Danny Sprinkle are starting to get settled in on the recruiting trail, as the team landed its third commitment from a guard this offseason, as Butler’s DJ Davis announced his intentions to join the Huskies on Wednesday.

Sprinkle has a lot of work to do to rebuild Washington’s roster, but adding Davis to a backcourt that already includes Rice transfer Mekhi Mason and four-star recruit Jase Butler gives him some very solid building blocks.

After starting his career at UC Irvine where he averaged 11.4 points and 1.6 assists per game over three seasons, Davis transferred to Butler before his senior year.

Against a higher level of competition in the Big East, Butler was up for the task. He improved on all his numbers from his previous stop, averaging 13.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per contest with the Bulldogs.

Now in his final year of eligibility, Davis should be expected to step in and start for the Huskies, providing veteran leadership and stellar touch from beyond the three-point line. He is a career 36.8 percent shooter from deep and appears to be a seamless fit for the offense that Sprinkle wants to install during his first year at the helm.

Washington basketball earns commitment from four-star, top 100 G

The Washington Huskies earned a commitment from a four-star guard who had previously pledged to Illinois.

Coach Danny Sprinkle and the Washington Huskies were in dire need of some good news on the recruiting trail when former Illinois signee Jase Butler announced his decision to flip to join UW.

Butler is ranked as the nation’s No. 13 combo guard and No. 97 player by 247Sports and is a much-needed addition for Sprinkle. In recent weeks, the program has seen guard Koren Johnson commit to Louisville and 2024 signee Casmir Chavis opt out of his national letter of intent after the backcourt appeared to be the strength of the team when the offseason began.

“From the moment Coach Sprinkle reached out, I immediately knew he was someone that I could see myself playing for,” Butler told 247 Sports’ Travis Branham. “It became clear to me that he is a winner—and winning is my main priority. He understands my game and values what I’m able to bring to the program—versatility, shooting, and playmaking ability as a big guard.”

The long, athletic guard has promising upside with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor and should fit well in Sprinkle’s offense. He projects as a bench piece that can provide instant offense in his first year and should be a reliable option on Montlake for the foreseeable future.

“I look forward to coming in and competing from day one and making my teammates better,” he told Branham. “Washington has a rich history of producing elite guards and winning. I’m humbled and beyond excited for this opportunity to join the Husky family.”

Former Arizona State star receiver visits Washington

The Washington Huskies appear to be turning to a former Arizona State Sun Devil to bolster their wide receivers.

The Washington Huskies are looking for reinforcements all over the roster and are turning to the transfer portal in search of another wide receiver, as former Arizona State Sun Devils star Elijhah Badger.

ASU beat writer Anthony Totri reported that Badger was visiting Washington on Monday afternoon, which the former four-star recruit confirmed on his Instagram story.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Badger has led the Sun Devils in receiving yards in each of the last two seasons and tallied 142 receptions for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns over his four years in Tempe. He added 3 rushing touchdowns to his total and would be an intriguing piece for coach Jedd Fisch’s offense.

A versatile player, Badger can line up in the slot or on the outside of the formation and would give the Huskies an extremely exciting group of receivers for the upcoming season. If he were to commit to Washington, he would likely be asked to start in the slot alongside sophomore Denzel Boston and California transfer Jeremiah Hunter.

Fisch and offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll would also find significant roles for senior Giles Jackson and redshirt freshmen Keith Reynolds and Rashid Williams, who have all turned in solid performances so far during spring practice, which could create one of the better groups of receivers in the Big Ten.

If the coaching staff can secure a commitment from Badger in the coming days, he would round out Washington’s receiving corps and allow the coaching staff to focus on the offensive line, which is still in need of extra help.

Washington adds transfer lineman Logan Sagapolu from Miami

The Washington Huskies added another transfer along the offensive line on Monday morning, a former member of both the Miami Hurricanes and Oregon Ducks.

Both head coach Jedd Fisch and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty told the media after Saturday’s practice that help was on the way for the Washington Huskies along the offensive line. On Monday morning, former Miami offensive lineman Logan Sagapolu announced his commitment to Washington, however, he is rumored to make the switch to defensive tackle on Montlake.

According to 247Sports’ Scott Eklund, Sagapolu is expected to flip sides of the line like former Washington defensive tackle Ulumoo Ale.

After spending the first two years of his college career with the Oregon Ducks, Sagapolu followed coach Mario Cristobal to Miami, where he played in 10 games along the offensive line over his two seasons with the Hurricanes.

The product of Skyridge High School in Lehi, Utah, has two years of eligibility remaining, and the 6-foot-2, 340-pound lineman should add much-needed depth for defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi at nose tackle. Washington lost three defensive tackles after the 2023 season, with Ale and Tuli Letuligasenoa out of eligibility, while Faatui Tuitele chose to medically retire.

Sagapolu gives defensive coordinator Steve Belichick a promising option to deploy in the middle of the defense and also allows the Huskies to pursue another player at the position, like Louisville transfer Jermayne Lole, who also visited UW over the weekend.

Washington adds offensive line depth with Portland State transfer

The Washington Huskies added some much-needed reinforcements to the offensive line on Thursday.

It didn’t take long for offensive lineman D’Angalo Titialii to figure out his next destination after officially entering the transfer portal on Tuesday. Titialii visited Washington’s eighth spring practice on Thursday afternoon, received a scholarship offer from offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, and committed before the day was over.

A 6-foot-4, 285-pound center, Titialii played well for the Vikings in 2023 after making starts at both left guard and right tackle in 2022. He allowed just one sack and earned a 65.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, receiving a 71.2 for his pass blocking and a 66.3 as a run blocker.

Titialii graduated from Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish, Washington, and appears to be very close with linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala.

The Huskies had just eight healthy offensive linemen for the second straight practice on Thursday and have been in dire need of reinforcements at the position. Titialii will provide experience and bring versatility to Washington’s offensive front and with three years of eligibility remaining, he also adds long-term depth.

Washington should prioritize transfer portal DL Jay Toia

The Washington Huskies will be aggressive in the transfer portal this spring and UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia would be a perfect target for the team.

It’s no secret that the Washington Huskies will be very active in the spring transfer portal window with eyes on bolstering multiple positions. The defensive line will be one of those focus areas, as the team has already hosted Indiana transfer Philip Bildi on an official visit and will likely also look for other options moving forward.

One of those options should be UCLA defensive lineman Jay Toia, who announced on Thursday his intentions to enter the transfer portal. He was one of the best players on an impressive defensive line that featured future first-round pick and former Husky Laiatu Latu. Toia’s dominant 6-foot-3, 325-pound profile should be a coveted asset for the Huskies at a position of need.

As a junior in 2023, Toia was an impressive player whose impact doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet, as he only amassed four tackles for loss and a sack. Toia didn’t play in UCLA’s 2022 matchup with Washington, so he might not be someone many Husky fans are familiar with.

He’s an excellent run defender who has plenty of upside as a pass-rusher. With alignment versality from a three technique due to his twitch all the way to a nose defender due to his strength, he can offer a defensive line plenty to work with.

Toia has jaw-dropping reps throughout games, where he can completely disrupt what an offense wants to do. With Washington’s current group at the position, adding an explosive interior defender like Toia could further transform the group into one that can compete in the Big Ten.

His addition would add proven production and size to a room that will be expected to carry the load against run heavy teams in the new conference. While it’s unknown at this point if the Huskies will seriously pursue the former UCLA defender, he should be high on their wish list.

Four-star safety from Florida to take official visit to Washington

The Washington Huskies continue to set official visits with top-tier prospects, this time with one of the nation’s top safeties.

Safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri is pushing hard to secure a few top-flight prospects at his position in Washington’s 2025 recruiting class. On Thursday, four-star recruit Ladarian Clardy announced his intentions to take an official visit to Washington thanks to his relationship with the former New England Patriots assistant.

“Coach Sunseri checks up on me and my family every other day,” Clardy told TTJH Sports. “I told him I’m big on relationships and that’s what stands out to me. He’s been reaching out to me, checking up on me, and just showing me that he wants me.”

Clardy, a 6-foot, 175-pound prospect from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida, holds 35 offers and is ranked as the nation’s No. 16 safety by 247Sports. He is currently projected to commit to Ole Miss but has quickly built a relationship with Sunseri, who offered him just 10 days ago, on April 8.

Since arriving at Washington, Sunseri has hit the ground running as a recruiter and credited his family, who have some deep ties to college football, for his approach on the recruiting trail.

“My dad [longtime assistant Bill Sunseri] has been doing it for as long as I can remember, my brother [Indiana quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri] has been doing it since he’s been in college for his whole coaching career, and I did it for one year as a graduate assistant at Alabama,” Sunseri said.

“I just want to build relationships with young men and show them that I’m here to help develop them not just on the field, but off the field as well.”

That has clearly paid off with Clardy, who is scheduled to take his official visit to Washington on May 3, when the Huskies will play their spring game.

Two defensive prospects set official visit dates with Washington

The Washington Huskies have added two defensive prospects to their list of official visitors.

The Washington Huskies are looking to add both short and long-term depth to the front seven and set up two official visits on Wednesday afternoon with defensive tackle Jermayne Lole and linebacker Cyrus Polu.

Lole, who has spent the last two years with Louisville after starting his college career at Arizona State, has the experience and production defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi is looking for up front. He was very productive early in his career with the Sun Devils, putting together 71 tackles, 10 for loss, and 6.5 sacks during his sophomore year in 2019.

A much older prospect, Lole missed the 2021 season due to an elbow injury and suffered a triceps tear that ended his 2022 campaign after just one game. Last season with the Cardinals, he recorded 19 tackles, 5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Lole announced that he will also take visits to Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and USC before he makes his decision.

The Huskies also set a visit with three-star linebacker Cyrus Polu from Desert Hills High School in Saint George, Utah on Wednesday. Ranked as the No. 5 player in the state, he holds 13 offers and is also set to visit Utah in June.

Polu will arrive in Seattle on May 31 and will be part of the coaching staff’s biggest weekend of official visits that is expected to include seven blue-chip recruits. After one of the team’s top targets, four-star Matai Tagoa’i, committed to USC, Polu is expected to take his place on the trip.

Linebackers coach Robert Bala is looking to take two or three high schoolers in the 2025 class and Polu is an interesting prospect to watch as the Huskies also pursue four-stars Christian Thatcher, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, and Mark Iheanachor.