The Washington Huskies haven’t signed a high school recruit who plays football in Hawaii since defensive tackle Kuao Peihopa in the 2021 class. That could change on Friday if three-star safety Aiden Manutai chooses Jedd Fisch’s Huskies over his four other finalists.
Safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri is competing with Arizona, California, Nebraska, and Tennessee for the services of the nation’s No. 62 safety and No. 9 player in the Aloha State, who plays for Kahuku High School, where the Huskies have a lot of history.
Hau’oli Kikaha, who set Washington’s single-season sacks record with 19 during the 2014 campaign, is also a Kahuku alum. It appears to be a battle between Nebraska, Tennessee, and Washington for his commitment as his recruitment winds down, and he would be an important addition for Washington at the one position where the Huskies don’t have a true commit.
Fisch’s coaching staff has added two secondary members in three-star cornerbacks Ramonz Adams and D’Aryhian Clemons, but Sunseri is still looking for his first safety. If Manutai ends up going elsewhere, the Huskies are still heavily in the mix for four-star prospects Ladarian Clardy and Dylan Robinson, along with three-star Rylon Dillard-Allen.