I’ve been asked more this past week about DB’s and DL’s than any other position. So instead of just answering on the message board, I’ll answer here.
Some of you were confused by the offer to Jacob Schuster. Washington has a limited number of schollies to give out this year and now that they have Voi Tunuffi and Keao Peihopa in the fold, it’s understanding that a recruiter like Ikaika Malloe would get a little greedy.
But sometimes you have to make an offer that might translate into a later enrollment.
Originally, it was believed that Schuster would be a preferred walk-on candidate, but he’s too good to just leave out in the cold like that — especially when he has some other schools hot on his trail.
Malloe and Jimmy Lake simply got creative, and later enrollment doesn’t mean that the offer isn’t as good as offers made to guys who can enroll earlier. It simply means they can use a scholarship for the next year’s class.
Washington wants Schuster, but they are trying to make room for him at this point because others committed earlier.
The Huskies still want a true defensive end and are still going after Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge, Derek Wilkins, and of course, JT Tuimoloau.
I think if they could land Rawlins-Kibonge and keep hammering away from Tuimoloau that would just about do it for the 2021 cycle of DL recruiting.
As for outside linebackers/Bucks, I think the Huskies are in a good place right now for Maurice Heims of Santa Margarita, CA. I also still like their chances at landing Utah’s Logan Fano.
While there are others who could warm up if they get to visit at some point, my feeling is that these two are the best shot for Washington right now.
It’s a shame that Landon Jackson (TX) never made it up to Washington — he really had a great relationship with Pete Kwaitkowski and I believed UW had a fighting chance, but it wasn’t meant to be.
On the inside linebacker subject, it’s possible Washington might not even take on in this class.
They originally fought hard for Ethan Calvert, but he seems to be leaning towards staying closer to home and the predictions to USC are warranted at this point.
You could still throw Will Latu into the mix, and it may have seemed quiet between Latu and Washington for awhile, but I wouldn’t take anything for granted at this point.
The guy I’m not hearing much about, however, is Hawai’i’s Wynden Ho’oluli, but Washington is in a place where, if they can’t get a guy they really, really want — they won’t take a guy just take a guy.
This will definitely be on position group to watch in the weeks and months ahead.
Finally, the defensive backs…
Washington already has one corner commit for 2021 (Zakhari Spears) and my feeling is that Jaylin Davies, Jaylin Smith, and Denzel Burke are guys to keep an eye on (the Huskies tend to mix and match their DB’s).
The biggest safety prospect, however, is Texas prospect, JD Coffey. And I still think UW has a better-than-average shot at Coffey right now.
And to be clear, I really give a rip about where the Crystal Ballers have some of these guys right now. It’s a long process Smith likes Washington a lot more than people realize, as does Coffey.
One thing Washington has going for them with all of these DB prospects is that they have been up to Washington before and so, with the COVID issues and travel problems, they already know what Washington looks like in person.
On this group, I have a hard time focusing on just one or two who might still be the most viable at this point — I think every one of them is viable.
And for all of these prospects in this article, the picture will definitely become much clearer once the quarantines are lifted nationally and cities open back up.
