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.