Washington Football Recruiting 2018: 5 most important commits for Huskies
With National Signing Day just days away, we look at the five most important commits in the Washington recruiting class.
The Washington Huskies have made steady progress since Chris Petersen took over as head coach both on the field and on the recruiting trail. Petersen’s first class in Seattle, which was compiled primarily by Steve Sarkisian before Sark left for USC, ranked No. 38 overall and seventh in the Pac-12 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings.
Petersen improved things slightly in 2015 and 2016, posting the No. 26 and No. 29 classes, respectively, both of which landed in the middle of the pack in the conference. The Huskies jumped into the Top 25 in 2017, and finally cracked the top half of the league, but have made their biggest leap yet in 2018.
With National Signing Day just around the corner, the 2018 Washington recruiting class is ranked No. 12 nationally and second in the Pac-12. The talented crop includes seven four-star players, eight of which ranked among the best 250 high school prospects in the nation (and it doesn’t even include former five-star quarterback Jacob Eason, who is expected to return to the West Coast after spending two years at Georgia).
Here we explore the five most important commits:
5. Trey Lowe, All-purpose back
Washington got great news when running back Myles Gaskin opted to return for his senior season, but the Huskies could still use depth at the position. Trey Lowe, a 5-foot-9, 174-pound all-purpose back from Oregon, could help. Lowe’s high school highlight tape is filled with long touchdown runs, though his vision is just as impressive as his speed. He’s also versatile, having played a lot of receiver, and Washington should look to get him involved in the return game as well.
4. Julius Irvin, Defensive back
Julius Irvin didn’t sign with the Huskies in the early period, but given his commitment on Jan. 31, it’s safe to say he plans to put pen to paper in February. Ranked the No. 12 safety prospect in the country, the 6-foot-2, 182-pound California native is athletic enough to play cornerback – and some recruiting services list him as a corner. Given his range and athleticism, he’ll find a home at one of the two positions.
3. Marquis Spiker, Wide receiver
The Huskies pulled in quite a haul of talented receiver prospects. Austin Osborne is a four-star standout, and Devin Culp has incredible size at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds. But the best prospect (and hair) of the bunch is Marquis Spiker.
At 6-foot-3 and 188 pounds, Spiker has a terrific frame for the position, and though he doesn’t have blazing speed, he can still stretch the defense. Spiker’s greatest assets are his hands and leaping ability, and with none of the top four returning receivers from last year’s squad measuring in at six feet or taller, Spiker should compete for playing time early.
2. Brandon Kaho, Linebacker
The recruiting services are split on Brandon Kaho. Ranked No. 133 overall in the 247Sports Composite as a four-star prospect, and the No. 4 inside linebacker recruit in the country, ESPN sees him as a three-star prospect and doesn’t list him among its ESPN300. The Worldwide Leader ranks the 6-foot-2, 232-pound Nevada native as the No. 47 outside linebacker in the country.
On the other extreme, 247Sports ranks Kaho No. 1 among inside linebackers nationally, lists him as the 21st best player in America and recently labeled him a five-star prospect. The gap is striking, but the U.S. Army All-American signed with the Huskies over Alabama, so we’ll learn closer to the five-star projection.
1. Jacob Sirmon, Quarterback
Assuming he ends up at Washington, Eason is the most likely heir apparent to starting quarterback Jake Browning. Colson Yankoff, who also signed with the Huskies and enrolled early, has a slightly higher rating — No. 91 overall. However, Jacob Sirmon is the safe bet to be the quarterback of the future in Seattle.
Sirmon is ranked No. 94 overall and No. 6 among pro-style quarterbacks and is also already on campus. An Under Armour All-American and Elite 11 participant listed at 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, Sirmon has prototypical size for a quarterback and the arm strength and accuracy to be a very good collegiate signal caller.
Interestingly enough, it’s his biggest drawback — a lack of mobility — that could play into his favor. Yankoff, the No. 6 dual-threat QB prospect in the country, is a dynamic runner. And, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Yankoff has great size for a receiver. If Petersen’s eventual intent is to get his best 11 players on the field at the same time, it’s likely Sirmon becomes the quarterback, and Yankoff moves to wideout.