At 6-3, 205, Cerritos, CA linebacker, DeMario King didn’t take long to make a decision after being offered by the Huskies earlier today.

“Ever since I was in eighth grade, Washington has been a dream school”, King told Realdawg.com shortly after committing to Washington, “I went to a camp up there in eighth grade and loved the atmosphere and the campus.”

Originally from Los Alamitos High School and Mater Dei, King was a non-qualifier out of high school, but put his time into getting back on track so that he could be ready to transfer to a four-year school when the time was right.

“They had been recruiting me when he was at Fresno State”, King said of his point-man, Juice Brown, “He was really my first recruiter.”

King also added that Washington’s system is a “perfect fit” for him.

He chose Washington over offers from Arizona, Arizona State, and Fresno State.

On the field, King is long and athletic, and while the Huskies are projecting him at linebacker, he’s played nickel as well, but at linebacker he’ll be able to cover and add athleticism to that spot. He is very smart and has great instincts in the passing game.

Last season for Cerritos King recorded 57 tackles, one forced fumble, and nine pass breakups.

He also brings 4.48 speed to the position so he could move around the field on defense.

It’s encouraging to see Coach DeBoer and the defensive staff putting athletic safeties in the linebacker position. With the speed and athleticism going up against spread offenses, this just makes Washington’s defense that much better.

There are, of course, some Husky connections; King is still friends with Dante Pettis, and has played with Trent McDuffie when at Mater Dei.

King has three to play two, and will enroll in January.

Bio on Cerritos College Website