Santa Ana, CA. outside linebacker, David Bailey is definitely going to be a guy to keep an eye on heading into the 2022 cycle.

Sure, it’s a ways off, but the Huskies have already started pursuit of this 6-3, 216 lb. prospect out of Mater Dei High School.

“I talked to Coach Kwiatkowski yesterday”, Bailey told Realdawg.com this week, “He didn’t offer yet but he said they liked my film and will come to my school in December.”

If anyone can pinpoint young outside linebacker talent, it’s Kwiatkowski.

“I liked him”, Bailey added, “He didn’t just talk to me about football, but asked a lot of questions and talked more about daily life.”

It’s good that Washington is getting involved; for a sophomore who has only started the last three games he’s played in, Bailey already holds offers from LSU, Nebraska, and Oregon. 

“I’m definitely interested (in Washington)”, he said, “But right now I’m just more focused on what we’re doing on the field…right now we’re undefeated.”

Mater Dei squares off against Mission Viejo tonight in the Division One CIF Southern Section semi-final. 

Bailey has played all season for the Monarchs, but just won the starting job later in the season and already has recorded four sacks.

“I feel my biggest strength is passing rushing”, he said, noting that he loves to pursue and get after the quarterback. Bailey is quick off the edge and demonstrates strong instincts. His arms are long and now it’s just a matter of developing his natural skills.

Right now Bailey is also putting in time on offense at tight end, but defense will be his future, and he seems well aware of that.

One guy he’s been having to deal with is Myles Murao, the Husky 2020 OL commitment, “I have to go up against him every day in practice”, Bailey exclaimed, “He has made me better.”

Bailey’s older brother played with Dante Pettis back at JSerra, but that’s about the extent of any Husky ties that Bailey might have right now, “I’m still just learning a lot about it”, he said of the schools recruiting him.

But this is definitely a guy who could earn an offer before the end of the year.