Kamari Pleasant on Why He Committed to Chris Petersen and the Washington Huskies

On Friday, three-star prospect Kamari Pleasant made public his commitment to Washington. Though rated by recruiting services as a safety, Washington plans to start Pleasant on the offensive side of the ball, primarily as a running back. Read on to learn what it was that he saw in the Huskies, whether or not the coaches expect him to see the field in 2016, and what memories from his recruitment will stick with him the longest.

UW Dawg Pound asks: What was the most important factor in your decision to commit to Washington?
Kamari: Just the fact that everyone in the program is a family. I love that the fan base there is just dedicated to being loyal and to being loud on game day.

Can you describe the moment when you realized you wanted to come to Washington?
I'd say it was after talking to Coach Petersen one-on-one along with my family during my visit. Afterward, I got home and talked to my family some more, and it was just clear that UW was going to be the best fit for me.

Where do the coaches see you playing once you arrive on campus? Did they say anything about whether or not they plan to redshirt you?
They want to use me at running back and wide receiver, and possibly a little bit at safety later on. They told me that they see me as a mixture of how they use Myles [Gaskin] on the ground, along with how they stretched Dwayne [Washington] over the top. The coaches also want me to get into UW as early as possible, because they want me to see the field in 2016.

Husky tight end Mike Neal was a high school teammate of yours. What did he tell you about the recruiting process, and about the Washington program?
I've definitely talked to Mike about his experience, and he loves it up there in Seattle. He told me that it's a great school, and I took his word for it. I also got a feel for it myself when I saw that everyone up there is a family. Everyone in the program is really consistent in what they say and what they show.

Are you going to arrive in time for spring ball, or will you enroll in the summer?
I'm trying to come in during spring ball. I've been talking to my counselors, but they're not really feeling it. But I am trying to get up there as soon as possible.

Twenty years from now, what do you think you'll remember most about your recruitment process?
How it felt getting mail from schools and coaches, and then when the scholarship offers started to come in. It was just a great feeling to know that I was starting to get noticed, and that all my hard work was paying off. Now I have a chance to do what I've been dreaming about doing my whole life.

What's your most recent height and weight measurement?
I've actually lost a bit of weight recently, so right now I'm at 6-1, 180 lbs.

Do you know what number you want to wear?
Most likely No. 5, or No. 2 if I can get it.

Any closing words for Husky fans?
Go Dawgs!

Check out the highlights from Kamari's career at Etiwanda High School below, courtesy of Hudl.