The Huskies will have at least 29 visitors this coming Spring. As it sits now, the Huskies will have two 5-star defenders, 16 four-star, and 9 three-star. There are another 10 or so who are considering a visit, as well.
I feel that the Huskies are setting up for securing a Top 10 recruiting class. However, a hindrance to that is what was observed in the 2023 recruiting class. We saw with running back recruiting last cycle that Washington could have reeled in Lake Stevens’ 4-star RB Jaden Limar, a Top 300 player overall. However, ahead of the local kid on DeBoer’s big board was 3-star Tybo Rogers, despite Limar being a good 400 spots ahead of Rogers.
When it comes to the RB position the Huskies are looking for one back who be lined up in multiple positions as a receiver or running back as well as excelling in pass protection. This is a better idea of what appears to be the criteria sought for this position by Washington.
—Run between the tackles
—Bounce the play outside
—Line up in the slot or out wide
—Catch passes out of the backfield
—Pass protection
—Home run hitter speed
In 2022 Washington brought in Wayne Taulapapa from Virginia. As the season went along Taulapapa’s role and productivity grew. Each passing week he understood Washington’s offense and Grubb was able to identify his strengths and utilize him better.
Very quietly the Virginia-transfer became one of the most productive players in Washington’s offense—tallying nearly as many yards from scrimmage as Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.
Had he enrolled at UW in the Spring instead of Summer last year he probably would have been I bigger component early on in the season rather than a complement to Odunze and McMillan.
Mississippi State RB transfer Dillon Johnson will do just that and by the time Fall Camp rolls his role will be better defined.
Circling back, what the Huskies are looking at in running back recruiting for the class of 2024 will be someone who has the most of those above 6 skills.
In Part 2 we will look at the recruiting of local running back O’Dea’s 4-star back Jason Brown and Mater Dei (California) back Nate Frazier, and the other 4 backs offered by Washington. In fact, I included Frazier as one of Five Washington Target Names to Know Once the Quiet Period Ended.
