Washington Football Recruiting: Grading the Huskies 2018 class
Chris Petersen has one of his best recruiting classes but what letter grade should the Washington Huskies 2018 class receive?
Depending on what USC does on National Signing Day, the Washington Huskies could walk away having the top recruiting class in the Pac-12. That’s quite an achievement for Chris Petersen and his coaching staff. While the 2017 season was a bit of a disappointment, the recruiting class is largely benefitting from the 2016 season that saw the Huskies win the Pac-12 and play in the College Football Playoff.
The 2018 class ranks No. 11 in the nation, although that could move up or down slightly depending on some late commitments on National Signing Day, but this is a talented and deep class that could help Petersen and Washington compete for more Pac-12 titles and another berth or two in the College Football Playoff. Not technically a part of Washington’s recruiting class, but could be the most important player is Georgia transfer and Washington native, Jacob Eason, who projects to take over when Jake Browning is done.
17 of the Huskies new additions are four-star recruits, including a pair of quarterbacks who are already enrolled and will be participating in spring practices. Jacob Sirmon is the top recruit in the state of Washington and the No. 6 pro-style passer. At 6-4.5 and 225 pounds, he projects as the quarterback of the future and player that could make NFL scouts giddy with his size and skill. Not to be outdone is No. 6 dual-threat quarterback Colson Yankoff from nearby Coeur D Alene, ID.
Whoever emerges as the quarterback of the future will have a dynamic receiver to work with in Marquis Spiker, the nation’s No. 59 overall recruit and No. 9 receiver.
Prior to National Signing Day, Washington stole a big and I mean that literally, commit from USC, in the form of four-star defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa from famed high school powerhouse De La Salle (Concord, CA). He is the nation’s No. 8 player at his position and should go a long way toward continuing their recent success of developing dominant interior lineman like Danny Shelton and Vita Vea.
Next: National Signing Day: Predictions for top 25 uncommitted recruits
The true impact of Washington’s 2018 recruiting class won’t be known and felt until 2021-2023 but we can provide a gut-reaction to the class and grade it on paper and potential. There’s a ton to like about Petersen’s class as he’s hit on a number of important positions and there should be players that make an immediate impact while others will take time to develop. Nevertheless, this is one of the best in Washington history.
Grade: A-