A Look Back at the UW Seniors as Recruits

We are at the point in the football calendar when only two things really matter: signing day and bowl games. In order to try to combine those elements I thought we would look back at the graduating seniors and see where each was rated by the major recruiting services, what some of the scouting reports said about them, and how they ultimately performed at UW. Hopefully this will be a fun way to remember how far some of the guys have come. A reminder that these aren’t the complete recruiting classes for 2014/15—just the players who are using up their 4th year of eligibility this season who started out as scholarship players. There are many other guys who have left because of injury, discipline, or NFL early entry plus the members of the 2015 class that have redshirted and so will be back next year.

We’ll go in reverse order from lowest-ranked to highest-ranked recruit by the 247 composite. The scouting reports mainly come from ESPN since in-depth evaluations on the player profile didn’t really survive the switch from Scout to 247. And ESPN actually provided real scouting reports until 2016. The rankings listed are from the 247 composite.

OL Jesse Sosebee, Class of 2014, 2 stars, 0.796 rating, #153 OT, #1874 overall

Edison HS, Huntington Beach, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’4, 300 lbs. Now- 6’5, 327 lbs.

Recruiting History: Sosebee committed to Boise State in the summer before his senior season while Coach Petersen was there. He was then offered by Pete at Washington and flipped his commitment after taking an official visit to UW a few weeks before signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “A mauler with the first step quickness needed to gain an immediate advantage...shows the balance and agility needed to stay in front and recover when in trouble.”

Scouting Report Negative: “All aspects of hand use need refinement...some lower body stiffness.”

Performance at Washington: Sosebee redshirted but started two games at right guard including one in conference play in 2015. He played mostly on special teams his sophomore season but his role increased as a junior and he started 8 games at left guard. This season he started against North Dakota at center and filled in during portions of games when Nick Harris was banged up.

TE Drew Sample, Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.827 rating, #56 TE, #1272 overall

Newport HS, Bellevue, WA

Height/Weight: Then- 6’5, 251 lbs. Now- 6’5, 251 lbs. (I think the 1st ever player I’ve seen with the exact same height/weight his senior year of both HS and college with a weight that’s not a multiple of 5. Congrats, Drew!)

Recruiting History: Sample didn’t have any offers from a power conference team and so committed to Coach Petersen at Boise State the summer before his senior season. Once he got to UW, Pete offered Sample and about a week later Drew flipped his commitment and didn’t look around anywhere else until signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “Competes for contested throws while demonstrating very good deep over the shoulder tracking skill...Productive from both a two and three point stance; comes off the ball aggressively with the pad level, fit, and blocking base needed to establish and sustain an advantage.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Playing strength will need to be improved...lacking an extensive route running repertoire.”

Performance at Washington: Sample redshirted but saw extensive playing time right away as he started 7 games in 2015 finishing with 5 catches for 45 yards and 2 TDs. He appeared in every game his sophomore year including 11 starts and ended up with 9 catches for 106 yards and was named honorable mention all Pac-12. Sample started 8 games as a junior and saw his receiving numbers dip a bit with just 7 catches for 84 yards. In his senior year Sample stepped up and started every game including playing 92% of the offensive snaps. He ended the season with career highs of 23 catches for 256 yards and a pair of TDs.

DL Shane Bowman, Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.838 rating, #53 SDE, #1076 overall

Bellevue HS, Bellevue, WA

Height/Weight: Then- 6’4, 240 lbs. 6’4, 291 lbs.

Recruiting History: Bowman committed to Oregon State in the summer before his senior season which at the time was his only power conference offer. Petersen offered him once he took over at Washington which prompted an official visit and eventually a commitment to UW a few weeks before signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “Shows good initial quickness, getting off the mark and into the opponent’s pads to neutralize the straight on drive block...This prospect doesn’t stay blocked.”

Scouting Report Negative: “We see the need to develop a repertoire of moves...Prior to challenging for playing time at the BCS level of competition, some time and perhaps a red shirt year will be needed to grow physically while developing and improving playing techniques.”

Performance at Washington: Bowman redshirted and then saw mostly ST and mop-up duty action throughout his RS freshman and sophomore seasons. Playing time increased in 2017 but Shane still was mostly a backup part of the rotation with so much talent at DT on the roster. This season Bowman broke out and started the first 4 games of the season before suffering an injury which knocked him out for 6 games. He returned to play in the final 3 games including another start against Utah in the Pac-12 championship game and finished the year with 1 sack.

S JoJo McIntosh, Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.846 rating, #73 S, #896 overall

Chaminade HS, West Hills, California

Weight/Height: Then- 6’2, 190. Now- 6’1, 205.

Recruiting History: McIntosh committed to UCLA in the summer before his senior year. But Chris Petersen extended an offer shortly after taking over at Washington and McIntosh decommitted from UCLA a few days later followed by a commitment to Washington the next day. JoJo still officially visited each school before signing day but ultimately held firm to his final commitment to UW.

Scouting Report Positive: “Possesses good anticipation and is developing route recognition. Can get a break on the ball with his ability to read the quarterback. Does a good job with his angles and can keep his lower half protected when working through traffic.”

Scouting Report Negative: “A bit high cut which can hinder lateral mobility but shows decent speed once pointed in the proper direction...Shows some stiffness in his hips when quickly changing directions...Has upside and will need to improve his speed and strength for the next level. Most likely a FBS safety who may get some looks from BCS schools.”

Performance at Washington: McIntosh redshirted initially but played in every game of his RS freshman season including recording an interception against Arizona. He missed one game due to injury in 2016 but otherwise started all of them and was 3rd on the team in tackles with 67. He started every game in 2017 and was named 2nd team all Pac-12. Also started every game this season and finished with 55 tackles, 2 pass break ups, and 2 forced fumbles.

CB Jordan Miller, Class of 2015, 3 stars, 0.847 rating, #89 CB, #970 overall

Oceanside HS, Oceanside, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’1, 175 lbs. 6’1, 181 lbs.

Recruiting History: Miller held offers from Oregon State, California, and Utah but didn’t provide much intrigue to his commitment. He committed to Washington the July before his senior season and never took a visit anywhere else. He was somewhat overlooked due to not starting during his junior season because of several seniors ahead of him on the depth chart.

Scouting Report Positive: “Miller has the height all schools look for...Exhibits a good job of recognizing what is going on. He will react quickly to run and come out of his back pedal to fill...Is very efficient at press coverage. Is physical and can stay with a WR well.”

Scouting Report Negative: “As an off defender he is a tad slow in flipping his hips...He is not a violent hitter.”

Performance at Washington: Miller mostly played on special teams in his true freshman season but did have 1 INT in Pac-12 play. He picked off another pass as a sophomore but was stuck behind Sidney Jones and Kevin King on the depth chart. 2017 was his breakout season as he was one of the best corners in the country before suffering a gruesome leg injury against Arizona State which ended his season with 2 INTs and 7 pass break ups in just 7 games. He reclaimed his starting job this season despite again missing a few games with nagging injuries and again had 2 INTs and 7 pass break ups as well as 2 forced fumbles.

LB Tevis Bartlett, Class of 2015, 3 stars, 0.848 rating, #76 ATH, #930 overall

East HS, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Height/Weight: Then- 6’3, 215 lbs. Now- 6’3, 233 lbs.

Recruiting History: Bartlett made use of his official visits as he went to Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Iowa in search of a new school. But he ultimately committed to Washington in December of his senior season and signed on the dotted line 6 weeks later. Bartlett was a standout 2-way player in Wyoming as a QB/S.

Scouting Report Positive: “Barlett is gifted with versatile size.”

Scouting Report Negative: “A lower level power conference school will be happy to find a position for him.”

Performance at Washington: Bartlett played in his true freshman season mostly at ST with some fill in spot duty at linebacker. He broke out as a pass rusher in the 2nd half of 2016 and finished with 4 sacks plus a forced fumble. His role continued to expand as a junior and he again had 4 sacks but nearly doubled his tackles total to 48, had 12 TFL, and chipped in with a pair of INTs which earned him honorable mention all Pac-12. Bartlett mostly shifted inside as a senior due to injuries at that spot and adjusted well to finish with 68 tackles and 3 forced fumbles.

OL Matt James, Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.848 rating, #77 OT, #846 overall

Coeur d’Alene HS, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Height/Weight: Then- 6’4, 255 lbs. Now- 6’5, 300 lbs.

Recruiting History: James committed to the Huskies over offers from WSU, ASU, and Coach Pete at BSU in the summer before his senior season and never wavered on that commitment even once Pete took over at Washington.

Scouting Report Positive: “This guy is a tough customer who works to finish blocks; displays the nasty attitude we like to see when evaluating offensive linemen.”

Scouting Report Negative: “However before challenging for playing time a red shirt year may be needed to grow physically while polishing technical skills.”

Performance at Washington: Redshirted his first year but was named the starter in the opener of 2015 at right tackle before Kaleb McGary took over after the following game. From that point he mainly played on special teams or in backup capacity over his final 3+ seasons.

DL Jaylen Johnson, Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.852 rating, #32 SDE, #759 overall

Centennial HS, Corona, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’3, 232 lbs. Now- 6’3, 286 lbs.

Recruiting History: Johnson committed to Boise State under Chris Petersen during his senior season but continued to take official visits to Oregon, Cal, and Washington. He ultimately flipped his commitment to Washington a week before signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “Can be a tough run defender who displays the ability to fire out low and uncoil and hold his ground. An effective hand fighter that can separate and shed blocks.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Not great in all areas but overall a good football player that can be productive at the college level.”

Performance at Washington: Johnson redshirted but played in every game of his true freshman year accumulating a sack and a fumble recovery. An injury kept him out of the first few games in 2016 but he came on strong particularly in the College Football Playoff against Alabama in which he had 1.5 tackles for loss. He only started 1 game his junior year but again was a heavy part of the rotation and racked up 18 tackles and 3.5 sacks. This year he started all but 2 games (due to targeting suspension and injury) but finished with 34 tackles and 1 sack as a hybrid DT/DE/OLB.

DL Greg Gaines- Class of 2014, 3 stars, 0.855 rating, #48 DT, #711 overall

La Habra HS, La Habra, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’2, 302 lbs. Now- 6’2, 316 lbs.

Recruiting History: Gaines committed to Boise State at the end of his junior year while Chris Petersen was still the head coach there. Pete then extended Gaines an offer within the first week of joining on as the Husky head coach. Gaines took an official visit the next month and committed to Washington a week later.

Scouting Report Positive: “He’s a tough, physical kid who can make blockers work to deal with him in the trenches and as a result really helps those around him.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Not a disruptive penetrating presence...Looks to be closer to his ceiling, but has room for some polish.”

Performance at Washington: Redshirted his true freshman year but played in every game of his RS frosh year including 6 starts. From that point on he started every game he played in the rest of the way and was a standout performer at nose tackle. He made honorable mention all Pac-12 in his sophomore year, 2nd team all Pac-12 in his junior year, and 1st team all Pac-12 in his senior year. Additionally, he won the Morris trophy this season for the best defensive lineman in the conference as voted by the players.

LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Class of 2015, 3 stars, 0.857 rating, #25 ILB, #723 overall

Sacred Park Prep, Menlo Park, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’0, 200 lbs. 6’0, 221 lbs.

Recruiting History: BBK had offers from the Arizona schools and Utah but one of his priorities was clearly academics as he unofficially visited Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Stanford despite not gaining offers from any. Stanford in particular was his dream school but he was viewed as too small to play LB and wasn’t offered a scholarship. He then committed to Washington at the beginning of his senior year and shut down his recruitment.

Scouting Report Positive: “This guy is a tough competitor who plays at a high intensity level...Does an outstanding job with run blitz timing...Possesses very good zone coverage awareness and reaction skills.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Burr-Kirven has the minimum size for the outside linebacker position at the Power Conference level of play. In fact his body type suggests a look at the defensive safety spot might be worthwhile.”

Performance at Washington: BBK played in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman although mainly on special teams and was named the UW’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player for his efforts. He gained more playing time as a sophomore once Azeem Victor broke his leg in the loss at USC and had 6 tackles including 1 TFL in the Pac-12 championship game win over Colorado. He made 8 starts as a junior and finished with 84 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 INT which earned him 2nd team all-conference. But in his senior year he has truly taken a massive leap, leading the country with 165 tackles while also contributing 1 sack, 2 INTs, and 4 forced fumbles. He was named a 1st team All-American by several outlets including the AP and FWAA.

RB Myles Gaskin, Class of 2015, 3 stars, 0.879 rating, #35 RB, #406 overall

O’Dea HS, Seattle, Washington

Height/Weight: Then- 5’9, 185. Now- 5’10, 193.

Recruiting History: Gaskin only had offers from the 2 main state schools but decided in spring of his junior season that he’d rather stay home and play for UW. That commitment never wavered and because of that he didn’t pick up any additional offers before signing with Washington.

Scouting Report Positive: “Gaskin is an impressive back on tape and shows great balance and the ability to take a hit, stay on his feet and makes a lot of yards after contact. He has a nice burst, good top end speed and a nose for the end zone...He just seems to have a great natural feel for the position and can sense where the hole is and then explode through it.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Needs to add more overall body strength and size to develop into a college-load back. Lacks experience running routes and receiving out of the backfield.”

Performance at Washington: Whether or not you consider Gaskin to be the best running back in Washington history he has certainly been the most productive. Gaskin broke out in his 2nd career game against Sacramento State and quickly took control of the starting job and has yet to relinquish it. He holds the UW all-time career records for rushing yards (5,202) and rushing TDs (55). Gaskin was named a FWAA freshman All-American, was 1st team all-conference in 2016 and 2nd team all-conference each of the past 2 seasons.

OL Kaleb McGary- Class of 2014, 4 stars, 0.897 rating, #23 OT, #285 overall

Fife HS, Fife, Washington

Height/Weight:Then- 6’7, 270 lbs. Now- 6’8, 324 lbs.

Recruiting History: The Huskies were the first team to offer McGary back when he was at the beginning of his sophomore season. McGary played TE/DE in high school and there was heavy debate what position he would play although most agreed his highest upside would be at OT. He was also viewed as a potential top-100 basketball recruit and so had his choice of sport as well. His final 3 were UW, WSU, and Wisconsin and he took official visits to each school after Petersen took over. He ultimately chose UW right before signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “His tall, sturdy frame should be capable of supporting additional body mass over time; displays the flexibility, balance and agility needed to play on his feet and adjust to quickness in tight spaces.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Pass protection must be learned as his involvement is entirely as a receiver...Some time and a red shirt year will be needed to add bulk while learning the technical aspects of the offensive tackle position.”

Performance at Washington: McGary redshirted his freshman year as he adjusted to OT. He played in 12 games including 6 starts at right tackle in his true freshman year and has started every game at right tackle since. McGary was named 1st team all Pac-12 in both his junior and senior seasons and won the Morris trophy this year for the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 as voted by the players.

QB Jake Browning, Class of 2015, 4 stars, 0.963 rating, # 5 PRO QB, #73 overall

Folsom HS, Folsom, California

Height/Weight: Then- 6’2, 210 lbs. Now- 6’2, 210 lbs.

Recruiting History: Browning took unofficial visits to Cal and UW in the spring of his junior season and committed to Washington a few days after his trip. Despite an offer on the table from Alabama he never looked around and stayed 100% solid until signing day.

Scouting Report Positive: “He’s a very polished quarterback, strong mechanically with a great natural feel for the position. He can make all the throws and shows off a live, accurate arm with very good touch on the deep ball but it’s his leadership, poise and presence that sets him apart from others.”

Scouting Report Negative: “Not the most versatile athlete. Has difficulty making intermediate throws and doesn’t possess the ability to stretch the field. His arm strength will need to improve for him to be able to make all of the college level throws.”

Performance at Washington: I mean what do you say? Browning started every game of his career except for against Stanford in his freshman year when he was injured. He’ll go down as the record holder in essentially every passing category in Washington history as well as several single season ones for the 2016 year which led to him winning Pac-12 offensive player of the year and finishing 6th in the Heisman voting. He was also 1st team all Pac-12 that season and honorable mention all Pac-12 each of the last 2 years. Despite some of his flaws he absolutely has the resume to go toe to toe with anyone in a barroom or comments section debate as to who is the greatest QB in Husky history. Pending the Rose Bowl he has 11,983 yards, 94 TDs, 34 INTs, and a 65% completion percentage in his 4 years. Browning also has rushed for 246 yards and 16 TDs.