Austin Seferian- Jenkins has the opportunity to be a special player. Austin is a big kid with the cat quick reflexes and the soft hands of a power forward. His current size and speed are extraordinary for the position he plans to play in college. He is 6'7, he has 4.65 speed, and is somewhere between 256 and 276 pounds depending on whose report you believe. Austin gives Washington something it desperately needs and that is big play potential at TE.
Austin has a lot of charisma and moxie for a 17 year old kid. He was impressive in his press conference and in all his subsequent interviews after the announcement. Austin created hype without coming off as self centered or prime time. Austin was all about Team, Rose Bowls, and National Championships. He wants to attract other four and five star athletes to Washington in this recruiting class.
Austin is the first jewel of what some are calling the "Big Three" which will put Washington over the top as far as recruiting goes in 2011. Skyline WR Kasen Williams is scheduled to announce on August 27th and most think he is a strong lean to Washington.
QB Brett Hundley from Chandler, Arizona also seems to be leaning in Washington's direction and will announce after completing unofficial trips to UW and UCLA this month. Recruiting experts are predicting that if Huskies have commitments from ASJ, Williams, and Hundley by the Nebraska game it could result in an avalanche of four and five start recruits committing to Washington.
Washington is using the Nebraska game as a recruiting showcase this season in much the same manner that they did with LSU last season. CB DeAnthony Thomas, DT Viliami Moala, DT Antwaun Woods, S James Sample, OLB Corey Waller, OG Dontae Levingston, and CB Kameron Jackson are all scheduled to officially visit for the Nebraska game.
Thomas who is nicknamed the "Black Mamba" is the top CB in the country. He was considered a lock to USC but now lists Washington and UCLA as his favorites. It is said that gigantic Moalla is more of a long shot but his teammate James Sample who is also visiting is a strong Washington lean. Waller and and Levingston also list Washington among their favorites.
The hype is back at Washington. Nobody seems to notice that this team was 0-12 two season ago. Nobody seems to notice that this program hasn't been to a bowl game or had a winning record since 2002. Everyone is looking to the immediate future and predicting greatness once again.
One jewel down...two more to go, then wow the rest of the best in the West on the Nebraska weekend. Sounds like a solid game plan to me!