The Huskies have 17 current commits and they may take as many as eleven more according the experts. So who exactly is at the top of that list? If you listen to the Dawgman Radio Show on KJR you probably have a pretty good idea.
Keep in mind that there likely will be attrition before this class is signed, sealed, and delivered next February so needs are always changing as the process evolves. Just for example we had 14 verbals at the same stage last season and only nine of those players ended up getting enrolled
Running Back ( 1-2 )
RB Keivarae Russell - K-Russ is going to be a really good college back and he is a major priority for Sark and his staff. Washington will be very hard to beat for his services. The Huskies may also be interested in a big back now that Zach Fogerson has retired.
Offensive Line ( 4 )
OL Josh Garnett - Everybody is loving this kid right now. Judging from his performance at camp plays better inside than he does outside. He is a real specimen and is ranked as the best offensive guard in the country. Stanford and Oregon are in the mix here as well as about every major program in the country. I think he stays on the west coast but there is going to be a lot of competition for his services.
OL Zach Banner - Not quite as highly ranked as his friend Garnett but he really has looked good at the camps this summer and has been elevated to five star status. He seems to love the UW coaches if his radio interviews can be used as a gauge of where he wants to go to school.
OL Shane Brostek - This kid is just built like a ridiculous brick. He is going to be as big an anchor for the Husky offensive line as his father Bern was. I expect him to be a Husky and continue the family tradition.
OL Walker Williams - Looks like it is between Wisconsin, Cal, and Washington. He is a good prospect with tremendous size but he will need time once he arrives at Montlake.
OL Lacy Westbrook - I think we have a good chance with any kid from Dominguez HS in Compton.
OL Cory English - He has the UW offer he coveted but will he go somewhere else like Oregon State where there might be less competition for playing time? I think he wants to watch and see where the top guys go before making a decision.
Tight End ( 1 )
TE Caleb Smith - Last time we discussed this in June we said that the clock was ticking on his offer and he gave the impression in an interview that he wanted to make a decision after the season. You can tell they had been closing him hard and he wasn't ready. Nothing has really changed...he is waiting and UW hasn't made any new offers to anyone that we are aware of.
Cornerback ( 1- 2 )
CB Brandon Beaver and CB Alphonso Marsh - We keep hearing UW, UW, UW in regards to these two and there is no denying that there is some mutual love there.
CB Cedric Dozier - He has looked great at the camps and he will end up at either Washington or California.
Linebacker ( 0-1 )
Does UW really have room for another LB in this class after loading up during the last two recruiting classes?
LB Brett Bafaro - The Huskies just offered and they seem to be in the lead for his services. Bafaro showed well at all the Northwest camps. Washington absolutely loaded up on linebackers last season so it isn't exactly a position of need even though the talent can always be upgraded. He also put ups decent numbers as a RB on offense so perhaps he could be used as a big back.
LB Darius Waters and LB Chris Young - These two former UW recruits had to go the JC route. With the numbers the way they currently are I don't see either of them becoming Huskies at this point but I could be wrong.
Defensive Line ( 2-3 )
DE Alex Balduci - The Huskies are back in the game for this monster from Portland. Rumors of UO probation may get him to look closer at Washington.
DE DeForest Buckner and DE Luke Kaumatule from Punahou HS in Honolulu. Buckner recently said UCLA, Oregon and Cal were in his top three. Kaumatule said that UCLA, Ca, Oregon and Stanford were standing out for him. Will the Huskies get a visit from these two kids?
DL Ellis McCarthy - He didn't hurt himself during the camps and combines. He is a likely official visitor to Washington.
DL Pio Vatuvei - This guy graded out very high in the camps and combines. Looks like it is between UW and Utah. He isn't the biggest kid but he has a great motor and a frame to grow bigger.
DL Kory Rasmussen - He is another guy from Hawaii and another probable visitor.
Special Teams ( 1 )
The Huskies already have recruited a punter but they also need a kicker. We haven't seen anyone on the radar yet but you can bet that the coaches have a list of kids they are evaluating.