Huskies Haul In A Top 15 Class On Early Signing Day

The Washington Huskies were able to wrap up the majority of their 2020 class during the early signing period when they landed 22 players signatures (not counting a 2017 signee who is returning from a mission). 247sports currently has the Huskies class rated as the 14th best class in the country (composite rated), and the best class in the Pac 12. Overall the Huskies’ class is fairly balanced but an outside observer would say the class is stronger on the offensive side of the ball with 13 of the 22 commits coming from that side of the ball.

The offensive recruits are highlighted by a strong wide receiver trio of 4-star wideouts Jalen McMillan from San Joaquin HS, CA 4-star Rome Odunze from Bishop Gorman HS, NV, and 3-star wideout Sawyer Racanelli from Hockinson HS, WA. All three receivers are at least 6’2” and McMillan and Odunze chose UW over offers from national programs like Oklahoma, USC, and Alabama. Both McMillan and Odunze are 10.6 100 meter runners who should help the Huskies be more explosive on the edge and both are big time pickups for UW.

At offensive line the Huskies are bringing in 5 massive players who should help the Huskies open some holes and create some time to throw the ball. 4-stars Geirean Hatchett from Ferndale HS, WA, Myles Murao from Mater Dei Hs, CA, and Roger Rosengarten from Valor Christian HS, CO are all top-150 players who chose UW over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and USC to name a few. Rosengarten looks like a future star at left tackle and Murao may slide in at center and start from day 1 if he’s as good as most people think (assuming Matteo Mele might kick out to tackle). The other commits, who are both 3 star recruits have great frames and should develop into players after a year or 2 in the Huskies’ system. Those commits are Gaard Memmelaar From Highland HS, ID and Sam Peacock from Gig Harbor HS, WA.

At quarterback the Huskies are bringing in a proven leader and winner in 4-star Ethan Garbers from Corona Del Mar, who is listed at 6’2” and around 190 pounds. Garbers, whose older brother Chase plays for Cal, accounted for over 70 touchdowns his senior season in leading his team to a state title. When you watch him play you can see that while Garbers doesn’t have a rocket arm like Jacob Eason he makes up for it by making plays with his feet and awareness of his receivers. Every time his team needed a crucial play he delivered for them, and if the Huskies lose Eason to the draft Garbers should be able to compete with Dylan Morris and Jacob Sirmon for the starting QB job.

At running back the Huskies are bringing in 2 different backs with 1 being a power back and the other being a home run threat. 3-star Jay’Veon Sunday from Connally HS, TX is more of a power back, and he is listed at around 5’11” and 195 pounds. He will probably be used similar to how the Huskies utilized Lavon Coleman a few years ago, as a change of pace back who can pound the ball. For the home run threat the Huskies are bringing in 4 star running back Sam Adams II From Eastside Catholic HS, WA, who is listed at 6’1” and around 200 pounds. Adams is a versatile player with great speed, and a skill set that is very complimentary to Sunday’s. Adams committed to UW over several national powers including Ohio State, USC, and Alabama.

At tight end the Huskies added 2 good players at the position. 4-star Mark Redman from Corona Del Mar, HS, CA, who is listed at 6’6” and around 240 pounds, was a big pickup for the Huskies and he looks like he can play right away if he can quickly pick up blocking at the college level. 3-star Mason West from LaHabra HS, CA is more of a blocking tight end, and is listed at 6’3” and around 240 pounds. After losing Hunter Bryant to the NFL draft the Huskies will have only 3 scholarship tight ends on their roster, which is why they needed to add a couple of tight ends to their class. The Huskies are also recruiting and have hosted 4-star Jack Yary from Murrieta Valley HS, CA, however he isn’t expected to sign until the February signing period.

On the defensive side of the ball the Huskies added several good players to their defensive backfield, and the headliner is 4-star defensive back Jacobe Covington from Saguaro HS, AZ who at 6’1” and around 195 pounds, can play corner or safety (UW listed him as a safety in their official release). Covington re-committed to UW this weekend after backing off his commitment a few months ago. He chose UW over offers from schools like Oklahoma, USC, and LSU. The Huskies were also able to land 3-star teammates Makell Esteen and Elijah Jackson from Lawndale HS, CA. Jackson, is a rangy cornerback, who is listed at a little over 6’0” and around 180 pounds, and he is a similar player to current Husky Keith Taylor. Esteen is more of a Taylor Rapp type who is very versatile but flies around the football field. He is listed at around 6’0” and 170 pounds. Rounding out the defensive back class the Huskies added 3-star James Smith from St John Bosco HS, CA. Smith is a little bit more of a project, but he has great size for the position (he is listed at 6’1” and around 180 pounds).

At linebacker the Huskies added several key pieces to their class including the headliner of their 2020 class in 5-star Sav’ell Smalls from Kennedy Catholic HS, WA. Smalls, who is listed at 6’3” and around 240 pounds, chose UW over offers from basically every major college in the country. The Huskies are planning on playing Smalls at their rush end position and he looks like he could generate some pass rush, which the Huskies have been looking for. The Huskies also added a couple of 3-star inside backers in Carson Bruener from Redmond HS, WA and Cooper McDonald from Northwest HS, TX. Both Bruener and McDonald are active linebackers who have good speed sideline to sideline. Bruener, whose dad played for UW as a tight end and was drafted in the first round by the Steelers, looks like he will be a very good player for UW but he may need a year in the weight room. McDonald on the other hand already has the size to play for UW but he will need to beat out several redshirt freshmen ahead of him in order to make the 2 deeps (namely Daniel Heimuli, and Josh Calvert).

On special teams the Huskies were able to add 2 valuable players to their team in 3-star punter Triston Brown from Mt. Sac Community College, CA and 2-star long snapper Jaden Green from Mesa HS, AZ. Landing Brown was a big pickup, especially after the graduation of Joel Whitford. Brown has a big leg and has good hang time on his punts. Green, who is rated as one of the best long snappers in the country, was also a key pickup for the Huskies with the graduation of AJ Carty who was one of the best long snappers UW has had recently.

The Huskies also added 3 star 2017 signee Jordan Lolohea from East HS, UT. Lolohea, who projects as a rush end for UW, served on a mission for the last 2 years. Listed at 6’1” and around 240 pounds. UW landed Lolohea over Utah, and Oregon. After a 3 year hiatus Lolohea should be able to re-acclimate himself to college football during spring practice.

The Huskies might have room for a few more players prior to the February signing period and some guys to keep an eye on are 4 star tight end Jack Yary from Murrieta Valley HS, CA and 4 star defensive lineman Xavier Carlton from Juan Diego HS, UT who hasn’t signed with anyone yet.

That is all for now and as always follow me @asieverkropp.