Washington has had an extremely successful history where walk-on’s are considered — going all the way back to the Don James years and then on up into the current era.
Most recently you see guys like Eddie Ulofoshio, Myles Bryant, Josiah Bronson, and Ryan Bowman having good careers at Washington after having started out without all the fanfare of those who came in on full rides.
It’s very common at Washington that a preferred walk-on knows going in that he has an opportunity to compete, and earn a scholarship.
One guy who had this very thing happen during his Husky career was current d-line coach and co-defensive coordinator, Ikaika Malloe.
Malloe, who was from Hawai’i, originally walked on but then earned a scholarship for Washington after a redshirt freshman season, so it seems fitting that this year Malloe, himself, is going back to Hawai’i and offering the walk-on opportunity to a guy who may have been heavily overlooked by a lot of recruiters this past year.
The reason? Playing out position during high school.
“During my sophomore year, Washington, Boise State, and Michigan State started reaching out to me”, Iolani safety, Meki Pei told Realdawg.com this week, “I thought then that my future was bright. But then during my junior year I got moved to backer — I always had Washington in the back of my head– then during my senior year, the offers just didn’t come.”
Pei, wh’s 5-11, 175, has been a safety playing linebacker — and most college coaches don’t go after linebackers that size.
“I was willing to settle on UH and stay home or go the juco route”.
Hawai’i had also offered a walk-on opportunity for Pei.
“Three weeks ago I got the call (from Washington), and now it’s clear.”
Pei is going to take an official visit to Washington on January 24th, but he’s been around the city and the University several times before — his father and mother both went to Washington.
In fact, his father played on the same team as Malloe and Ink Aleaga, “I don’t really want to go anywhere else”, he explained.
It’s not just Malloe who’s been hot on Pei’s trail; Will Harris is also involved and has been in contact with the safety, “Coach Harris said he’s super excited to get me up there”, he said.
On the field Pei has an extremely high football IQ and is ready to commit himself to earning a scholarship; he’s a very determined young man and is a little reminiscent of a young Ikaika Malloe.
He also plays soccer, hoops, and baseball — but football has been his sport since he was just five years old.
Malloe and others have been scanning the region for some solid PWO candidates; watch for more such as Josiah Nikolao from Bellermine Prep and Brad McGannon from Yelm.
This weekend Pei is playing in the Poly Bowl, and while he does have other PWO offers to choose from, Washington is the most likely pick.
