Recruiting Q&A with Jamie Uyeyama - Talking Husky Recruits

We last checked in with Jamie back in August as the Huskies were in the midst of a flurry of commitments.  Since that time Washington has landed three more verbals (though one - Amandre Williams - is now looking around).  With the high school season more than half over and the official visit process already underway, we figured it was time to check in again with him and get his thoughts:

UWDP: Since we last talked back in early August, the Huskies have picked up a couple more commitments.  First was one we've expected for a while as 4-star CB Isaiah Gilchrist from local powerhouse Bellevue H.S. pledged for the Dawgs, and then more recently the Huskies got their QB for the class in Daniel Bridge-Gadd out of Paradise Valley H.S. in Arizona.  What are your impressions of each?

JU: I'm a big fan of Gilchrist and it's obviously exciting that Chris Petersen has continued to land top local guys. I think he can develop into an outstanding corner in the Pac-12. I love his aggression and I think he is just scratching the surface as a defensive player. Once he moves to defense full time at UW, the sky is the limit for him.

Bridge-Gadd reminds me a lot of current Oregon State freshman QB Seth Collins. Collin is more of a dual-threat and is a different player, but he was also an overlooked prospect that was committed to San Jose State before flipping to the Beavers. I watched his senior film and thought he was a Pac-12 level quarterback prospect and I got the same feeling after watching Bridge-Gadd.

He flashed a live arm and I loved his ability to escape the pocket and his touch on several throws. He won't be rushed into the lineup at UW and that's a good thing. The offers says he is a reach, but the film says he can be a guy who could end up being a steal.

UWDP: With the high school schedule more than half over, are there any Husky commits that have really impressed you so far this season or any that have not lived up to your expectations?

JU: I wouldn't say that there are any that haven't lived up to expectations and I think that highly rated guys have all looked good from what I have watched, but the guy who continues to impress me is Taylor Rapp. I'm not sure why this kid isn't getting more love in the national conversation other than he doesn't play in southern California.

To me, he's a definite top ten prospect at safety and I'd probably have him as the second best safety on the west coast after Brandon Burton. Rapp can do it all and has looked great during his senior season.

UWDP: N'Keal Harry just committed to ASU on Monday, and it's widely believed both his good friend Byron Murphy and his teammate Chase Lucas will follow-suit.  And while the Huskies impressed Javon McKinley on his visit in September, Notre Dame is considered the team to beat.  Washington appears to be running out of highly-rated wideout prospects on their board, despite clear evidence that this is a position where a talented kid could come right in and play and the Huskies featuring a true frosh QB in Jake Browning with terrific potential.  What do you make of this - just how the ball bounces, or does this suggest a deeper issue?

JU: I think it's more of how the ball bounces for the most part. One issue this year is that USC was going to go heavy on receiver in their class so that took some guys who they might not have had room for in previous classes off the board. I wouldn't get caught up in wondering why these kids wouldn't want to play with Browning. They hear about potential and they want to see production and creativity in the passing game. It's tough to get creative with a true freshman.

With Harry, I believe he just wanted to stay home for school and with Arizona State finally turning themselves into a better option, they were bound to finally land a big time guy from the state after years of striking out.

I wouldn't necessarily count out McKinley just yet. He is very tight with his mother and Notre Dame may be too far from home for him. Seattle may be a compromise for them both if he doesn't stay home and choose UCLA.

UWDP: Next up on Washington's board at WR appear to be Zach Farrar out of Southlake Carroll in Texas and Khris Vaughn from Redlands Valley East in SoCal.  What are your impressions of each?

JU: Farrar has great size and although he shows he can can get deep at the high school level, I don't think he is a burner who will be a long ball threat in college. I see him as more of a possession guy, but someone who maybe able to see the field fairly early because he's physically ready to compete and he's a willing blocker in the run game.

Vaughn I like a little bit more than Farrar although his offer list isn't as good. He's smaller, but more explosive out of his breaks. He's got some juice and can do some things after the catch. I think he can play out of the slot or out wide.

UWDP: Amandre Williams committed to Washington just after we last chatted, but has since re-opened his commitment by taking visits to Boise State and Utah, which means his spot with Washington is no longer guaranteed.  While recruited as a BUCK for the Huskies, he's also put up pretty good numbers as a QB at Tahoma H.S. here in Washington.  Do you think he's got a shot to play QB at the FBS level, and what's your overall impression of him as a prospect?

JU: I think he's a project at quarterback. Maybe he could play with the time to develop, but he's got a way to go unless he is used as a primarily run first option.

I love him as an edge prospect and think he would be a great fit at BUCK if he sticks with UW. His snap anticipation is so much better as a senior and he looks like he could develop into a great pass rusher. I love his motor as well. He is twitchy and and has the ability bend around the edge. I think he is a fantastic fit in their scheme.

UWDP: A recent recruit name that popped on the radar for the Huskies is a JC transfer by the name of Jonathan Kongbo who redshirted at Wyoming before deciding he didn't like the direction they were going, and now claims offers from the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennesse, Arizona and now Washington.  He's still new to football and went to school in nearby Vancouver B.C., so he's familiar with the area.  What kind of prospect is he and where do you see him fitting in along the DL?

JU: If people don't know much about Kongbo, they should get to know him because this kid is an exciting prospect. He has the potential to be a dominant player in the Pac-12. He is a freakish athlete at his size and has all of the physical tools to be great. Long arms, super quick laterally, and an explosive first step. He checks all the boxes and made a ton of plays at his JC.

He might be new to football, but I have seen veteran players who look more raw than him. He reacts to the football well, knows how to disengage from blocks, and has a high motor. I see him playing defensive end at UW, but he is the kind of guy who could probably line up anywhere on the line and compete. He looks like he has the frame to get even bigger than he is right now too.

Hopefully the close to home aspect helps seal the deal because he would look great getting after the passer in purple and gold.

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A big thanks to Jamie for taking the time to answer our questions!  You can find him writing about recruiting as the recruiting editor for Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes, as the recruiting editor for Notre Dame blog One Foot Down and at his own blog Son of a Coach.  Give him a follow on Twitter at @jamieuyeyama