In case fans didn’t have enough proof that Kalen DeBoer, Courtney Morgan, and the rest of Washington’s staff knocked their final weekend of official visits in June out of the park, just look to this commitment. Four-star cornerback Curley Reed has officially announced his commitment to Washington, and by doing so, he becomes not only the highest rated member of the class of 2023, but this should also cement the belief that this staff can recruit with the best.

Even though one could argue that four-star Wylie East (Texas) defensive lineman Anthony James’ commitment is more significant to the program, getting Reed out of the heart of SEC country (especially when he holds an offer from his hometown school, LSU) is a huge sign that Morgan’s national approach to recruiting is working. He was offered by the coaching staff on April 26th, and it took him just over two months to build the relationship that he wanted with them, which should be another sign that the culture that DeBoer has wanted to install is working.

Reed, who only played in one game during his junior season due to an ACL tear, is currently rated as the 155th overall player in the nation, and the #11 prospect in the state of Louisiana for the class of 2023. With a strong senior season in one of the tougher states to play high school football, his stock could rise and have him inside the top 100 by the time National Signing Day comes around in December.

He holds 26 offers, and picked Washington over the likes of Auburn, Florida State, Louisville, LSU, Mississippi State, and USC.

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It’s clear that the staff has pushed very heavily at reloading the depth on defense in their first full recruiting cycle, and it still doesn’t sound like they’re done either. Reed’s commitment moves the Huskies back over Oregon in both the Pac-12 and national recruiting rankings, up to second in the conference, and 20th in the country.