Washington’s final June official visit weekend was its most volatile.

By the time the weekend began, three of the visitors Washington had scheduled — 4-star WR Zion White, 3-star EDGE Troy Mailo, and 4-star OL Lincoln Mageo — were no-shows, with White committing to Cal on Friday, Mailo committing to Stanford the same day, and Mageo heavily expected to land at Michigan.

But the Huskies also got good news last weekend. 3-star safety Jaden Walk-Green, who had taken his official visit to Washington two weeks earlier and set a June 20 commitment date, picked the Huskies — landing his commitment right in the middle of the weekend. And the visitors who did make the trip kept Washington in real position in the trenches, where a few of the staff’s biggest remaining targets have decisions coming within the next two weeks.

Here’s how it played out.

The headline: Jaden Walk-Green commits

3-star safety Jaden Walk-Green (Corona Centennial – CA) made his Washington commitment official on June 20, choosing the Huskies after taking his official visit to Montlake on June 5 and setting his decision date for the middle of last weekend.

Walk-Green came away from his June 5 visit telling SeaTown Sports that what stood out was “how elite the coaching staff is and the facilities they have” — and while he left Montlake without committing, the decision had clearly already started turning Washington’s way. Two weeks later, it landed.

Walk-Green is a genuinely productive high-schooler — 125 tackles and 10 interceptions as a junior, five of those picks returned for touchdowns — and his pledge gives Washington’s secondary a meaningful piece alongside fellow 2027 safety commit Isala Wily-Ava. After losing Gavin Williams to USC and Malakai Taufoou to Oregon earlier in the cycle, Walk-Green is the win defensive coordinator Ryan Walters and safeties coach Taylor Mays needed.

The Friday losses

The harder side of the ledger landed on Friday, before the weekend’s visit window even opened.

4-star WR Zion White (Mililani – HI) committed to Cal. For Washington, the Huskies already have four WR commits with potentially a fifth on the way coming from White’s former IMG Academy teammate 4-star Osani Gayles.

3-star EDGE Troy Mailo (Mullen – CO) committed to Stanford the same day. Mailo, too, had set Washington as his final visit, with a Van Horn–Kaufusi relationship that had built steadily over months. The Huskies already have a commitment from 4-star EDGE Chaz Gray and remain among 3-star EDGE Jag Ioane’s top schools.

And 4-star OL Lincoln Mageo (Oceanside – CA), heavily expected to commit to Michigan, did not make his scheduled visit to Montlake. Mageo had been a constant presence at UW recruiting events going back to Dawghouse Weekend in March, but it looks like the Wolverines separated themselves from the rest of the schools he was considering.

The offensive line: still in play

The OL haul was supposed to be the weekend’s identity, and even without Mageo, Washington’s two biggest remaining targets at the position made the trip.

4-star OL Gecova Doyal (Puyallup – WA), the top-rated offensive lineman in the state, took his official visit with a July 1 decision date now looming. The Pacific Northwest tug-of-war with Oregon continues — Doyal visited Eugene on June 5 — and getting him on campus for his closing official is exactly the position Washington wanted to be in. Whether it converts depends on the next ten days.

4-star OL Dajohn Yarborough (Basha – AZ), a 6-foot-5, 340-pound tackle, originally from Minnesota, has been on Washington’s board for months, and his official visit was the staff’s last in-person impression before he announces.

The legacy pick: Tye Kennedy

Tye Kennedy (Mountain View – AZ), the son of Washington legend Lincoln Kennedy, came away from his official visit with the Huskies in strong position. Asked where Washington stood for him coming out of the weekend, Kennedy told SeaTown Sports that the Huskies “will be a top choice” — and pointed to a connection that runs deeper than a typical recruitment. “I feel like I’ve had some sort of a bond with the Huskies, and it’s a special place for sure,” he said.

That bond has a name attached to it. Tye’s father, Lincoln Kennedy, was an All-American at Washington, a first-round NFL draft pick, and a College Football Hall of Famer who anchored the Huskies’ offensive line from 1989 to 1992. When Washington offered Tye last fall, he posted about the chance to “continue my father’s legacy” at UW. The visit, by his own account, did nothing to weaken that pull. Kennedy decides July 1 from a group that includes Washington, Cal, Arizona State, Michigan, Utah, and Minnesota.

The closers on campus

Three committed prospects took their lock-in official visits this weekend, and the one with the loudest voice on the offensive line situation was the lineman already in the class.

Committed 3-star OL Reis Russell (Valor Christian – CO) came away from his lock-in OV energized about the weekend’s stakes. “It was awesome. I had such a great time,” Russell told SeaTown Sports. “This was a huge weekend for this class, and I hope to add to this class in the trenches.” Russell was reaffirmed in his own decision too, pointing — as so many of Washington’s committed voices have this cycle — to the staff. “This staff is the reason why [I committed to UW],” he said. “Great people with a big common goal.”

4-star WR Tre Moore (Pflugerville Weiss – TX), the second-highest ranked commit in Washington’s 2027 class took his official visit and 3-star CB Maurice Williams (Timberline – WA), one of the first commits of this entire cycle back in December, also took his official visit.

What I’m watching

Walk-Green is a meaningful in-state secondary win that answers two earlier safety losses, and the Yarborough and Doyal recruitments are still genuinely alive heading into late June. Washington is in a strong position with Tye Kennedy, with a July 1 decision and a legacy connection that’s not going away.

But Washington also lost three uncommitted visitors before the weekend even started, two of them to other Power 4 programs. Recruiting at this level always has both sides of the ledger, and the staff’s job over the next two weeks is to make sure the trenches haul Switzer and Brewster have been chasing all cycle yields commitments.

Washington closes its June official visit slate with its final big weekend of the cycle — and this one is built in the trenches.

After two weekends weighted toward skill and the secondary, the June 19–21 group is dominated by the offensive line, where Washington has a chance to make a real haul. Here’s who’s coming and what’s at stake.

The offensive line haul

The story of this weekend is the offensive line. Washington’s staff — led by offensive line coach Michael Switzer and assistant offensive line coach Mike Brewster — has spent the cycle chasing a group of 4-star linemen, and several of them land on campus together this coming weekend.

The headliner is 4-star OL Gecova Doyal (Puyallup – WA), the top-rated interior offensive lineman in the state and a years-long Washington priority. At 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Doyal has been a near-constant presence at UW practices on unofficial visits, but this recruitment has become a genuine Pacific Northwest tug-of-war: Oregon is pushing hard, and the two programs are viewed as neck-and-neck. Doyal visited UCLA on May 15, Utah on May 29, and Oregon on June 5 before this official visit, and he has set a July 1 commitment date.

4-star OL Lincoln Mageo (Oceanside – CA), at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds is another blue-chip lineman visiting this weekend. Mageo has been on campus before — he came away from Dawghouse Weekend in March raving about Switzer’s instruction — and his official slate has included Michigan (June 5), Utah (May 29), and Arizona (May 5). Washington gets the last visit, which may be an advantage, but the competition is heavy with the Rivals Prediction Machine setting Michigan with a 90% chance of landing Mageo.

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3-star OL Dajohn Yarborough (Basha – AZ) is the most physically imposing of the group at 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds. Originally from Minnesota, where he was the state’s top-rated lineman before transferring to Arizona powerhouse Basha, Yarborough named Washington in a final four alongside California, Florida State, and Mississippi State. He’ll announce on July 11 after his final visit at Washington.

Finally, the staff already has one piece of the puzzle on campus: committed 3-star OL Reis Russell (Valor Christian – CO), back on his lock-in official visit, will help recruit the uncommitted linemen.

The legacy pick: Tye Kennedy

One more lineman carries a story all his own. Tye Kennedy (Mountain View – AZ), a 6-foot-6, 280-pound tackle from Mesa, is the son of Washington legend Lincoln Kennedy — the All-American, College Football Hall of Famer, and first-round NFL draft pick who anchored the Huskies’ line from 1989 to 1992.

When Washington offered, Tye posted that he had “the opportunity to continue my father’s legacy at UW.” That kind of connection is rare, and it gives the Huskies a built-in edge that no other program on his list can match. Kennedy has narrowed his lit to a top group that includes Washington, Cal, Arizona State, Michigan, Utah, and Minnesota, with a July 1 decision date.

The specialist: Nolan Balke

Washington also hosts Nolan Balke, a punter and kicker out of Casteel (Queen Creek – AZ). Balke returns to Montlake after participating in the programs specialists camp and earning an offer from Huskies special teams coach Chris Petrilli.

The potential Hawaiian headliner: Zion White

The top uncommitted skill prospect that may visit this weekend is 4-star WR Zion White (Mililani – HI), a 6-foot-4 pass-catcher with a national recruitment. White has been set to visit Washington this weekend, but according to 247 Sports, is no longer listed as an official visitor. If he does not make the trip, it is likely because the Huskies already have commitments from four receivers.

White has already visited both North Carolina and Cal this month. By their continued pursuit of four-star WR Osani Gayles (IMG Academy - FL), the Huskies appear poised and willing to take a fifth WR commitment in this class. Receivers coach Kevin Cummings has been leading the push, and there’s a pipeline angle that matters here: Mililani is the same school that sent current Husky quarterback Kini McMillan to Montlake.

The closers on campus

Two committed prospects are on their lock-in official visits this weekend.

4-star WR Tre Moore (Weiss – TX), the newest receiver in the class, is on campus — a recent commitment who is one of the top-ranked pleges that UW has secured. 3-star CB Maurice Williams (Timberline – WA), one of the first commits of this entire cycle back in December, also takes his official visit this weekend. Both will play a role in selling the weekend’s uncommitted visitors.

What I’m watching

This is the offensive line’s weekend, and the cleanest measure of success is simple: how many of Doyal, Yarborough, Mageo, and Kennedy can Washington land? If I’m the Huskies, I’m looking to land at least two of the four.

It’s the last big weekend of the June slate. By the time it wraps, the shape of Washington’s 2027 class will be much clearer. I’ll have a full recap when it does. Stay tuned.

Jag Ioane, a three-star EDGE from Orem, Utah, took his official visit to Washington last week. The Huskies made an impression on Ioane, and remain one of the five schools under consideration for the 6’4” and 200 lbs playmaker.

The visit centered on people. Ioane left talking less about facilities and more about the staff that hosted him.

“I really enjoyed my visit to Washington. I was surprised by the atmosphere and the energy around the program. The coaches made it feel very family-oriented and I felt very welcomed the whole time I was there,” Ioane said.

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He pointed to the way the staff has approached his development as the thing that stood out most, noting that Washington values “me and my skill set, especially my quickness and the way I’ve been developed.”

Ioane is one of the top edge rushers in Utah. As a junior at Orem, he posted 31 total tackles, six sacks, a fumble recovery, and a safety. Washington began building the relationship early, with linebackers coach Aaron Van Horn and run game coordinator Jason Kaufusi connecting with Ioane back in January.

Washington is not recruiting Ioane in a vacuum. He has already taken official visits to Boise State, BYU, and Utah, and a trip to Michigan is on the schedule. Staying close to home is a real factor. Both in-state programs are pushing, and the Wolverines carry a Utah connection with their new staff, led by former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.

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For now, Ioane is keeping his options open. He framed the visit as a step in the process rather than a finish line, remarking that Washington is “definitely a school I’m continuing to look closely at in my recruiting process.”

The Huskies got their shot to make the case in person. By Ioane’s account, it landed.

Chaz Gray, a four-star EDGE out of New Jersey, committed to Washington on Tuesday, handing the Huskies one of the more notable cross-country wins of their 2027 cycle.

The St. Joseph Regional standout chose Washington over Clemson and Tennessee. He had official visits scheduled with both Clemson on June 12, Tennessee on June 19 — but closed his recruitment on Tuesday rather than take them.

That’s a reversal from where Gray stood a little over a week ago. After his official visit to Washington, he told SeaTown Sports he planned to take all his visits before deciding. Instead, the Huskies did enough to end it early — the culmination of a recruitment in which Washington’s staff made multiple in-person trips to New Jersey over the past month to see him.

“The all-around love and genuine interest they had in me” was one of the main factors in his decision, Gray told SeaTown Sports on Tuesday. He also pointed to the development plan laid out for him by defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi and OLB coach Aaron Van Horn.

At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, Gray stars for St. Joseph Regional in the North Jersey Super Conference’s United Red Division — widely regarded as one of the toughest high school leagues in the country. He’ll arrive at Washington battle-tested against elite competition.

Gray’s pledge is a statement about Washington’s expanding recruiting footprint. Landing a four-star edge rusher out of the Northeast is not something the program has done often, and it follows the path of rising freshman quarterback Derek Zammit, who came to the Huskies from DePaul Catholic in New Jersey. Per Rivals Industry Ranking, Gray is the eighth blue-chip commit in the class.

As of Tuesday night, Washington’s 2027 class ranked No. 20 on Rivals and No. 17 on 247Sports. The Huskies will continue hosting 2027 official visitors this week before their final major official visit weekend on June 19–21.

Washington’s second straight official visit weekend was its busiest of the cycle so far.

A week after hosting its first major OV weekend, Jedd Fisch’s staff brought another heavy slate of 2027 priority targets to Montlake from June 5–7 — a group weighted toward the secondary, with a pair of cross-country IMG Academy prospects, a two-sport quarterback, and a large contingent of current commits doing recruiting work of their own.

The weekend’s headline was the commitment of 4-star wide receiver Dontay Tyson, who picked Washington over Texas A&M on June 5. But Tyson was only part of a weekend that also may have produced another commitment with another “BOW DOWN” post, hinting that more news may be coming.

Here’s how it played out.

Another “BOW DOWN” — and a secondary watch

For the second weekend in a row, Washington’s official football account posted a “BOW DOWN” graphic — the kind of post that often precedes a commitment announcement. As before, the program can’t confirm a recruit directly, and the post doesn’t name anyone, so what follows is informed speculation rather than reporting.

If I had to guess, I’d watch Evan Mack. The 3-star Crean Lutheran cornerback was on campus this weekend and is considering Kansas, Arizona, and San Diego State alongside Washington — and of that group, the Huskies are the most high-profile option. Washington also has a clear need in the secondary in this class with the only signees being 3-star ATH Maurice Williams and 3-star S Isala Aisa Wily-Ava.

Mack profiles as the visitor with the most realistic near-term path to a commitment. Though he still has official visits scheduled, I could see him shutting it down if UW’s pitch landed this weekend. The other uncommitted names all still appear to be actively weighing other heavy-hitter schools, with visits or decision dates still ahead.

If the “BOW DOWN” post means what these posts usually mean, Mack is my prediction.

Osani Gayles and the receiver math

4-star WR Osani Gayles (IMG Academy – CA) made it to Montlake, and by all appearances the visit landed. Social media posts from Gayles’s family over the weekend suggested a strong trip, and the read coming out of it is that Washington is open to taking his commitment — even though it would push the Huskies to five receivers in the 2027 class.

That’s a lot of receivers for one cycle. But it’s the kind of problem programs are happy to have, and one that tends to resolve itself: if the room gets too crowded, transfer-portal departures typically open the space back up. The earlier question was whether Gayles would even make the trip with the receiver board filling up behind Braylon Pope, Zerek Sidney, Tre Moore, and now Tyson. He did — and the Huskies appear willing to find room for a talent of his caliber. His family connection to UW, with his older sister a recent graduate, remains a factor working in Washington’s favor.

Censere Gaylord

4-star CB Censere Gaylord (IMG Academy – CA), Gayles’s teammate and a top-100 national prospect, took the second of four official visits this weekend. Washington got him on June 5, with Georgia (June 12) and Auburn (June 19) still ahead after an opening trip to Georgia Tech on May 29.

No decision is expected until he finishes that slate, which means the Huskies’ job this weekend was to make a strong enough impression to stay in the race against three SEC and ACC programs. The IMG-to-UW pipeline and the heavy Southern California contingent already in the class — including the St. John Bosco group on campus this weekend — give Washington a real foothold. But this recruitment will run through the rest of June.

The dark-horse pursuit: Caden Jones

3-star QB Caden Jones (Crean Lutheran – CA) came away from his official visit having deepened what was already a long-running relationship with the staff. “I built an even stronger relationship with the whole coaching staff, and it all felt natural,” Jones told SeaTown Sports pointing to the time he spent with the coaches and a photo shoot that stood out. “They showed a ton of hospitality.”

But Jones isn’t ready to decide. “Right now I’m weighing all of my options,” he said — a measured note that fits a recruitment in which Arizona, where his older brother Carter stars, remains the believed favorite. Washington made its case as the dark horse.

Jaden Walk-Green

3-star safety Jaden Walk-Green (Corona Centennial – CA) came away from his official visit impressed, but he left without the commitment many had thought might have happened. “What stood out was how elite the coaching staff is and the facilities they have,” Walk-Green told SeaTown Sports. Coming into the weekend, Washington had been viewed as a heavy favorite — two Rivals analysts had logged crystal-ball predictions for the Huskies — but Walk-Green is keeping his recruitment open a bit longer. He plans to commit on June 20, with Washington among his top four.

For the Huskies, that’s a step forward without the finish. The relationship is clearly strong, and being in the final group with a date set is a good position to be in. But the door isn’t closed, and the next two weeks will decide whether Washington’s strong showing converts into a pledge.

Josh Christensen and the Oregon battle

3-star EDGE Josh Christensen (Lake Oswego – OR) took his visit to Washington, culminating a spring push that the staff has made for the Northwest recruit. Christensen is set to visit his hometown Oregon next. The Huskies made their case, but this one looks likely to go the distance — and the Ducks getting the last word, in-state, is a real obstacle.

The committed voices

Washington had a large committed contingent on campus doing recruiting work of their own, and several came away reaffirmed.

3-star TE Zach Albright (Glacier Peak – WA), committed since late April, pointed to the people as the highlight. “Hanging out with current players and meeting the other recruits” was the best part, he told SeaTown Sports. — and the weekend did the rest. “Spending time with the coaching staff and players totally confirmed what I already knew, that UW is the right choice for me.”

3-star S Isala Wily-Ava (St. John Bosco – CA), on his lock-in official visit after committing in May, pointed to the program’s culture. “The highlight of the visit for me was really just the family bond within the team, coaches, and staff,” Wily-Ava told SeaTown Sports, “the way they work together to be their best and having the same goal of being a Pro.” It’s the same pitch that drew him to Washington over Arizona State — safeties coach Taylor Mays, a former NFL player himself, has built the relationship around Wily-Ava’s pro potential and positional versatility.

They weren’t alone. 4-star DL Jon Ioane, was on his official visit, joined by St. John Bosco linebackers Ethan and Justin Coach, Mater Dei DL Matamatagi Uiagalelei, Servite linebacker Isaiah Leilua, and in-state receiver Braylon Pope — the last of whom served as a natural voice for Gayles in the recruitment to fill out the receiver room. Eight committed prospects on campus at once, helping the staff sell the uncommitted visitors, was its own statement about where this class stands.

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What I’m watching

Tyson is the headline get, and a significant one — Washington now has a loaded receiver room and one of its highest-priority skill targets from the spring locked in. The position to watch from here is the secondary. Walk-Green decides June 20 with Washington in his top four, the Mack watch is live after a second “BOW DOWN” post, and the Huskies still have cornerback work to do in this class. Gaylord and Christensen both look likely to go the distance, with visits still ahead.

The class continues to climb toward the top-15 finish the staff is chasing. The June calendar still has plenty to say. I’ll have more as the picture clears. Stay tuned.

Jedd Fisch and his staff have landed the receiver they made a priority from the start.

Dontay Tyson, a 4-star wideout out of Peoria, Arizona, announced his commitment to Washington on June 5, choosing the Huskies over Texas A&M in what came down to a two-team race. The pledge gives Washington one of the most productive pass-catchers in the West and reinforces a recruiting pipeline that has quietly become one of the most reliable in the program.

At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Tyson is the kind of receiver modern offenses are built around — length, ball skills, and the speed to win deep. He is rated among the top wide receivers in the country and one of the highest-rated prospects in the state of Arizona for the 2027 class. In seven games for Peoria HS, Tyson hauled in 37 catches for 448 yards and tallied seven touchdowns.

Tyson took his official visit to Washington over the May 28–31 weekend, and by his own account, the trip did what the staff needed it to. “Had an amazing and exciting time at my OV,” Tyson posted afterward, thanking the staff for treating his family with hospitality and “showing me what it would be like to be a DAWG.” He moved his commitment date up to June 5 — ahead of a scheduled visit to Texas A&M — a sign that the Huskies had done enough to close.

The Arizona pipeline delivers again

Tyson’s commitment is the latest return on a recruiting connection Washington has leaned on heavily under Fisch. Wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings began building the relationship when Washington first offered in January 2025 and never let up, and the Huskies’ track record of developing Arizona pass-catchers gave the pitch teeth — Dezmen Roebuck, another Arizona product, earned playing time as a true freshman in 2025.

That pipeline runs through the roster and the recruiting class alike. Tyson joins fellow Arizona receiver Zerek Sidney, a Desert Edge three-star product already committed in this class, along with four-star quarterback Blake Roskopf — Sidney’s high school teammate — giving Washington an Arizona-rooted core on the offensive side of the ball. The familiarity mattered. Tyson built relationships with several of those commits before his visit, including 4-star running back Jeremy Adeyanju, who said the two had connected at an Arizona showcase and talked through what Washington could offer.

What Tyson brings to the Huskies

Tyson projects as a perimeter receiver who can stretch a defense vertically while offering the frame to win contested catches — a profile Washington’s offense values. He has track speed to be a long ball threat and excellent catch instincts.

His commitment also reshapes the math of Washington’s receiver class. With Tyson in the fold, the Huskies now have four receivers committed for 2027 alongside four-star recruits Braylon Pope and Tre Moore, along with Sidney.

What’s next

Tyson’s pledge lands during a pivotal stretch for Washington’s 2027 class, which now sits at 17 commitments and continues to climb the national rankings. The Huskies are in the midst of hosting a loaded official visit weekend and the staff will look to build on the momentum a commitment of this caliber provides.

Editor’s Note, 6/3/26 at 2 p.m.: This article has been updated to reflect that Braylon Pope is making his official visit this weekend.

Washington’s 2027 class sits at 16 commits and is ranked inside the top 20 nationally — No. 19 per Rivals, No. 16 per 247Sports.

A week after hosting its first major official visit weekend of the cycle, Washington is right back at it. The June 5–7 visitor group is built around the secondary and a pair of cross-country priority targets, with a couple of decisions from the May class potentially landing right in the middle of the weekend. Here’s who’s coming and what’s at stake.

The IMG visits are high-ceiling swings

The headline names this weekend both come from the same place: IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, by way of California.

4-star WR Osani Gayles is the bigger national name. A Tracy, California, native ranked inside the top 51 of the Rivals Industry rankings, Gayles is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound receiver with track speed — he’s clocked a 10.76 in the 100 meters — and he’s narrowed his list to a heavyweight final group of Alabama, Notre Dame, Stanford, Tennessee, and Washington. The Huskies have a real angle here beyond the visit itself. Gayles’s older sister graduated from the University of Washington last year, which means his family already has a connection to Montlake the rest of his finalists can’t match. The Huskies also have a recent track record of pulling players out of IMG, including current cornerback Ksani Jiles.

There’s a real question, though, about how much Washington still needs at the position — and whether Gayles even makes the trip. With the recent commitment of 4-star Tre Moore, the Huskies now have three receivers in the class alongside Braylon Pope and Zerek Sidney.

If Dontay Tyson commits to Washington on June 5, as expected, that number jumps to four. Five receivers in a single class may be a lot to stomach — but Washington netted five in the 2025 cycle, and a talent of Gayles’s caliber may be worth the squeeze. 4-star WR Braylon Pope, the top in-state WR commit, is also on campus this weekend on his official visit, which gives the staff a natural voice in Gayles's ear from the very position group he'd be joining. The other complication is the company UW is keeping: Alabama hosted Gayles on May 29, and Stanford’s proximity to his parents is a factor. The family connection is the kind of detail that decides recruitments at the margins, but whether Gayles still sees a clear path at a crowding Washington receiver room is worth watching this week.

4-star CB Censere Gaylord is a teammate of Gayles at IMG and a SoCal product. He is a top-100 national prospect who has trimmed his list to four: Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Washington. He took his first official visit to Georgia Tech on May 29, comes to UW on June 5, then has Georgia (June 12) and Auburn (June 19) to follow. Like Gayles, he fits the IMG-to-UW thread — and landing him would give Washington its third IMG player in three recruiting cycles.

The get-able one: Jaden Walk-Green

If the IMG duo represents the high-ceiling swings, 3-star safety Jaden Walk-Green (Corona Centennial – CA) represents Washington’s best chance to walk away with a commitment.

Rivals’ Adam Gorney and Greg Biggins have both logged crystal-ball predictions for Washington, and the Rivals Prediction Machine has the Huskies as a heavy favorite. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound safety is a genuinely absurd high school producer — 125 tackles and 10 interceptions as a junior, five of those picks returned for touchdowns, plus a punt-return score — and he’s a multi-sport athlete who also stars in baseball.

The visit slate matters here. Walk-Green visited UCLA last weekend and Vanderbilt on June 2 before Washington on June 5, with Arizona State (June 12), and Kansas State (June 16). If UW is able to deliver this weekend, he may not take the rest of his visits. Safeties coach Taylor Mays and Ryan Walters are leading the recruitment, and a Walk-Green pledge would pair him in the secondary with already-committed 3-star safety Isala Wily-Ava — and help steady a class that took two safety hits recently when Gavin Williams chose USC and Malakai Taufoou picked Oregon. This is the recruitment to watch most closely this weekend.

The dark-horse pursuit: Caden Jones

3-star QB Caden Jones (Crean Lutheran – CA) is one of the longest-running recruitments on Washington’s board — and the Huskies are coming from behind.

The 6-foot-3 Jones holds a rare dual scholarship offer from Washington to play both football and basketball. He’s been on Montlake repeatedly over the past two years, and Jedd Fisch and quarterbacks coach JP Losman have made him a priority. On the field, Jones threw for 3,044 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior, and his primary list centers on Arizona, Baylor, Cal, and Washington.

The catch is the Wildcats. Jones’s older brother Carter stars at Arizona, which is the believed favorite in this recruitment. But the Huskies are clearly not conceding the position. After landing 4-star QB Blake Roskopf in April, some reporters figured Washington was done at quarterback. Instead, the staff has put on a full-court press for Jones — quarterbacks coach JP Losman made a day-long visit to Crean Lutheran this spring, and Jones’s official to UW confirms that he remains intersted in Washington. The Huskies are sensibly willing to take two QBs in the class, with portal attrition likely a factor down the road.

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The Crean Lutheran teammate: Evan Mack

Caden Jones isn’t the only Crean Lutheran prospect taking an official visit to Washington this weekend. 4-star cornerback Evan Mack, Jones’s high school teammate, is also expected on campus.

Washington has been actively recruiting both Crean Lutheran prospects in tandem — Fisch and secondary coach John Richardson visited Mack earlier this year.

The border war: Josh Christensen

3-star EDGE Josh Christensen (Lake Oswego – OR) gives this weekend a defensive-line piece — and a familiar opponent.

At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Christensen is the No. 4 overall prospect in the state of Oregon, and Washington offered him in April after his second campus visit. He was on Montlake for Dawghouse Weekend back in March, where he said the staff’s defensive-line instruction was what stood out, and the relationship has built steadily since.

The recruitment is shaping up as a Pacific Northwest tug-of-war: Christensen visited Oklahoma on May 29, comes to UW on June 5, then heads to Oregon on June 12. The Ducks getting him the week after Washington is the storyline to track. UW has been recruiting Christensen for a while, but it’s hard to see him turning down the home-state Ducks for the rival Huskies.

The Bosco contingent and the closers on campus

Washington has eight committed prospects on campus this weekend doing recruiting work of their own — and three of them come from the same Southern California powerhouse.

3-star S Isala Wily-Ava (St. John Bosco – CA) is locked in for his official visit. Wily-Ava picked Washington over Arizona State in May, with safeties coach Taylor Mays leading the way. Mays — a three-time All-American safety at USC and a former NFL player — has told Wily-Ava he projects as a corner, safety, or linebacker at the next level, and the size-and-versatility pitch is one Wily-Ava clearly responded to. He’s also the natural recruiter for Jaden Walk-Green, the safety Washington is trying to pair him with this weekend.

Wily-Ava isn’t the only Bosco voice in the building. Committed 3-star linebackers Ethan Coach and Justin Coach, also out of St. John Bosco, are on campus as well — giving Washington a three-Brave contingent doing recruiting work for the weekend.

4-star DL Jon Ioane (Tustin – CA), one of the crown jewels of this clas will also be back at Montlake. Ioane committed to Washington over Cal, Penn State, Stanford, and UCLA back in March, with defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi as the driving force. He didn’t leave much room for ambiguity at the time, telling SeaTown Sports the Huskies are “gonna get a dawg out of me.” This weekend will be about cementing that bond and putting him in position to recruit alongside the staff for the rest of the cycle.

4-star WR Braylon Pope (Sumner – WA), the top in-state receiver commit in this class, is on campus on his official visit and slots in as the natural recruiter for Osani Gayles. 3-star DL Matamatagi Uiagalelei (Mater Dei – CA) will be another SoCal voice in the room and a key piece of the 2027 defensive line build. 3-star TE Zach Albright (Glacier Peak – WA) and 3-star LB Isaiah Leilua (Servite – CA) round out the committed group, and all will play roles in the staff's effort to convert uncommitted visitors into pledges.

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What I’m watching

This is a secondary-driven weekend, and the cleanest path to a win runs through Jaden Walk-Green. If the crystal balls hold and he commits, Washington answers previous safety losses in a hurry and gives the class meaningful June momentum. The Crean Lutheran double-shot with Caden Jones and Evan Mack is the patient play, with Washington trying to flip momentum for Jones and Mack.

The receiver position is the one to watch for ripple effects. With Tre Moore now committed and Dontay Tyson set to decide June 5, Washington’s WR room could be functionally full by the time Gayles is even on campus — which makes his visit, and whether it happens at all, one of the more intriguing subplots of the weekend. Jeovanni Henley also announces June 6. If the Tyson and Henley decisions break Washington’s way, the energy on campus shifts in the Huskies’ favor at exactly the right moment.

I’ll have a full recap when the weekend wraps. Stay tuned.

Washington spent May 29–31 hosting its first major official visit weekend of the 2027 cycle, getting a few uncommitted prospects on campus and making its pitch. No prospect from the group has publicly announced a commitment as of the time of publication. Also, Washington’s Top Dawg Camp on May 31 added a rising local target and a cluster of new offers.

Here’s how it played out.

The Saturday night graphic — and the Tyson buzz

At 6:58 p.m. Friday, Washington’s official football account posted a “BOW DOWN” graphic featuring wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck. On its face, that’s a current player getting some social media shine — but the timing, dropped in the middle of the official visit weekend, got recruiting circles talking. Roebuck is an Arizona product, the same pipeline 4-star WR Dontay Tyson (Peoria – AZ) would be joining, which feeds into speculation about whether the post was connected to Tyson’s visit.

Then came the bigger signal: Tyson has moved his commitment date up to June 5. The timing is notable — it lands before his scheduled June 12 visit to Texas A&M, his other finalist. A recruit setting a decision date ahead of a planned visit to a finalist generally suggests his mind is close to made up, and given how this weekend went, that's a development Washington fans should feel good about. Tyson hasn't said which way he's leaning, and whether the June 5 date affects his A&M trip is unclear. But of all uncommitted visitors, he's the one to watch most closely.

A setback with Jailen Hill

The weekend’s disappointment came at cornerback. 4-star Jailen Hill (St. John Bosco – CA) rescheduled his Washington visit (according to HuskiesWire) to the final official visit weekend of June 19–21 — but that trip now looks unlikely to happen.

Hill has a commitment date set for June 9, which falls after his Nebraska visit and before the June 19 UW window. With the Cornhuskers viewed as the leader and the crystal ball trending their way, the math is not in Washington’s favor: if Hill commits on June 9 as planned, he’ll have made his decision before ever taking his Washington official visit. It’s a tough development for a recruitment the staff had invested in, particularly given the St. John Bosco pipeline that has produced a handful of commits during Fisch’s UW tenure. Washington isn’t formally out, but the path narrowed considerably this weekend.

The Chaz Gray full-court press continues

4-star edge Chaz Gray (St. Joseph Regional – NJ) came away impressed, but he’s making it clear this recruitment is going the distance.

Asked what stood out most about the weekend, Gray highlighted to SeaTown Sports, UW’s program’s environment: “What stood out to me about Washington was the culture of the team and how everyone respects and treats each other, and the amount of support and connections you get here from the sports side and academic side as well.”

But Gray isn’t cutting his process short. “Right now I believe that Washington made a great presentation [to] me, but I need to [take] all my visits before making any decisions,” he said. That tracks with his calendar — Gray is scheduled to visit Clemson on June 12 and Tennessee on June 19, and he’ll weigh Washington against both.

Kamil Loud: case advanced, decision open

4-star cornerback Kamil Loud (Bishop Gorman – NV) gave Washington a strong first impression, but he leaves the weekend with a wide-open process. Loud is still considering a top group that includes Auburn, Cal, Florida State, Miami, Utah, and Washington, with additional visits planned, including Cal and Florida State.

The Huskies advanced their case this weekend — getting the first official visit on Loud’s calendar was the goal, and he came away engaged — but with that many programs still in the mix and visits still to come, this recruitment may play out a little longer.

A non-visit worth noting: Jeovanni Henley

One name expected this weekend didn’t make it. 3-star ATH Jeovanni Henley (Junipero Serra – CA) had been slated to visit but did not take the trip (according to HuskiesWire), which may signal Washington’s standing in his recruitment is slipping.

The timing matters: Henley announces his commitment on June 6 from a final group of Cal, BYU, Texas, Penn State, and Washington. A missed official visit this close to his decision date is rarely a good sign for the school that got skipped. The Huskies remain in his listed group, but the absence speaks louder than the inclusion right now.

A committed voice: Tevita Nonu

4-star DL Tevita Nonu (O’Dea – WA), already committed to Washington, was back on campus and came away reaffirmed. Asked what stood out and what confirmed his decision, Nonu told SeaTown Sports: “Highlight of my visit was spending time with the recruits and the yacht ride. Just having a good time with Titus and Chaz.” As for why he committed in the first place: “It’s because it’s home.”

Nonu’s mention of Chaz Gray is worth flagging. One thread of the weekend was Washington’s commits doing recruiting work of their own, and a local commit building rapport with a cross-country priority target is precisely the kind of relationship these weekends are designed to produce.

Another committed voice: Jeremy Adeyanju

4-star RB Jeremy Adeyanju (Sandra Day O’Connor – AZ), committed since March, used the weekend to deepen ties rather than reconsider anything. “Already 1000% committed — honestly, the official visit was just the cherry on top,” he told SeaTown Sports. What stood out to him was the staff: seeing how they interacted with him and the other invited prospects was “really showing how Washington has the best staff in the country.”

It’s the kind of endorsement Adeyanju will carry into his ongoing recruiting work on Tyson, his fellow Arizona prospect — a through-line that started before the weekend and continued on campus.

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Top Dawg Camp (May 31)

Washington’s Top Dawg Camp ran on May 31, overlapping the back end of the official visit weekend and bringing a separate wave of prospects to campus. It produced one rising 2027 target and a cluster of new offers across the 2028 and 2029 classes.

On the 2027 front, EDGE Jason Armbruster (Mount Si – WA) impressed enough to draw fresh interest from the Washington staff. According to a source, Armbruster is on Washington’s radar. The local product currently holds offers from Eastern Washington, Air Force, and North Dakota, and is also generating serious interest from Nebraska and Washington State. At 6-foot-3.5 and 233 pounds, he’s a name to track for a UW board that has prioritized edge talent in this cycle.

The bigger camp news came in the form of new offers to younger prospects:

• 2028 ATH Jayce Halasz (Graham-Kapowsin – WA) earned an offer from his hometown Huskies after competing at the camp. The 3-star already holds a strong list, including Alabama, Cal, and Stanford. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds.

• 2028 IOL Josiah Eney (Our Lady of Good Counsel – MD) reported a UW offer after being named camp MVP and meeting with offensive line coach Michael Switzer and senior director of player personnel Matt Doherty.

• 2028 RB/LB Keith Williams (Manvel – TX) reported an offer from Washington.

• 2029 ATH Ioelu Feo (Bethel – WA) reported a Washington offer via his Instagram. He’s listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds.

What’s Next

The theme coming out of the weekend is a split screen. On one side, Washington appears to have made real progress with Dontay Tyson, its highest-priority uncommitted skill visitor, and reaffirmed a committed core that’s now actively recruiting for the staff. On the other hand, the cornerback picture got murkier — Hill is trending elsewhere, Loud stayed wide open, and Henley’s no-show raised questions.

The June calendar will settle most of it. Henley decides June 6. Hill decides June 9. And the June 5–7 official visit weekend is up next, with its own group of priority targets coming to Montlake.

I’ll have more as the picture clears. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 5/27/26, 5:17 p.m. - Quote from Blake Roskopf added.

UPDATE - 5/26/26, 8:39 p.m. - Jag Ioane will not be making his official visit this weekend and is scheduled to visit June 7-9.

The first big official visit weekend of the 2027 cycle is almost here. May 29–31 is the opening official visit weekend for a class that already sits inside the top 20 nationally, and the names on this weekend’s visitor list tell you exactly where Jedd Fisch and his staff are spending their chips. Five uncommitted prospects are coming to Montlake — four of them blue-chip caliber — and a handful of current commits to do what commits do at this stage of the cycle: sell.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s visitors.

The two that could swing the class

The biggest uncommitted names on this weekend’s visitor list are 4-star wide receiver Dontay Tyson (Peoria – AZ) and 4-star safety Jailen Hill (St. John Bosco – CA). Both have Washington getting the first official visit and both are realistic June commit candidates.

Tyson, listed at 6-3, 185, is one of the top-rated receivers in the state of Arizona for the 2027 class and has trimmed his list down to two: Washington and Texas A&M. The Aggies don’t get him on campus until June 12, which means UW has two full weeks to make the kind of impression that closes a recruitment. Receivers coach Kevin Cummings has been on Tyson going back to last fall, and the Huskies’ recent track record of developing Arizona pass-catchers — Dezmen Roebuck started as a true freshman in 2025 — is a real selling point.

This isn’t Tyson’s first time on Montlake, and the relationship with the staff is clearly part of what’s pulling him back. “It’s always good to see coach Jedd Fisch and coach KC and everyone,” Tyson told SeaTown Sports, adding that he’s “excited to get back up there” and looking forward to the campus tour. A decision in June would not surprise me.

Hill is the bigger fish nationally. The 6-3, 170-pound cornerback is a top-300 player in the country, plans to commit on June 9. Nebraska has been considered the favorite for much of the spring, but UW will still be getting an official visit this weekend. Washington’s staff has a built-in advantage this weekend: Hill’s teammate in the secondary, safety Isala Aisa Wily-Ava, has already committed to the Huskies.

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The Chaz Gray full-court press

Another visitor I’m watching closely is 4-star edge Chaz Gray (St. Joseph Regional – NJ).

Gray is 6-4, 245, plays in one of the toughest high school leagues in the country, and over the last month, Washington’s staff has made multiple in-person recruiting trips to New Jersey to see him. The Huskies are battling Clemson (OV June 12), Tennessee (OV June 19), and Nebraska for him, and UW is the first official visit on the calendar.

Landing an edge rusher of Gray’s caliber out of the Northeast would be a real statement about how far this program’s recruiting reach is heading. The Huskies already have rising freshman quarterback Derek Zammit who hails from DePaul Catholic in New Jersey. The competition for Gray is steep, but the staff would not have invested this much travel time on a long shot.

Securing the Secondary: Kamil Loud

The other uncommitted visitor is 4-star cornerback Kamil Loud (Bishop Gorman – NV). Loud’s official visit slate is Washington (May 29), Arizona State, (OV June 5) and Utah (OV June 12), with the Huskies again getting first crack. He named his top 6 on Tuesday: Cal, Auburn, Miami, Florida State, Utah, and Washington. The Huskies have yet to land a cornerback in this class, so getting a pledge from Loud would relieve some pressure on the Huskies to land a commitment during the subsequent official visit weekends.

On the Clock: Jeovanni Henley's June Decision

3-star safety Jeovanni Henley (Junipero Serra – CA) kicks off the official visit weekend a day early on Thursday, May 28th. He is set to make his announcement on June 6th, with a top 5 of Cal, BYU, Texas, Penn State, and Washington. He’s been to Cal a handful of times, including two visits in 2026. But, it looks like Washington and Penn State (June 5) will be his only official visits before he commits on June 9th, meaning things are looking good for the Huskies.

The closers on campus

Washington is also using this weekend to get five key commits back on campus to do recruiting work of their own.

4-star QB Blake Roskopf is in town and likely will spend most of the weekend in Dontay Tyson's ear. Asked what he tells other recruits when he's selling them on Montlake, Roskopf was specific: "The biggest thing is that their offensive system matches a lot of NFL systems, and they're going to develop you for the next level." That's the pitch a quarterback makes to a top receiver he wants to throw to in college, and Roskopf will have all weekend to make it.

3-star WR Zerek Sidney — Roskopf's high school teammate at Desert Edge — is on his official visit and can reinforce the Arizona-to-Seattle pipeline pitch to Tyson.

4-star RB Jeremy Adeyanju (Sandra Day O'Connor – AZ) takes his official visit as well, and the Tyson recruitment is already part of his weekend plan. The two crossed paths at a recent Arizona showcase, where Adeyanju said they "chatted it up and talked about him coming to Washington." His pitch tracks closely with what Washington has been selling since Jedd Fisch took over: "They play freshmen, and this coaching staff really cares about the players and makes you feel welcome." For Adeyanju, the weekend itself is about turning group chats into something tangible — he said what he's looking forward to most is "really meeting the other commits in person. We've talked through messages but definitely want to meet my future teammates."

3-star DL Matamatagi Uiagalelei (Mater Dei – CA) is on campus as another SoCal voice in the room and a key piece of the 2027 defensive line build.

3-star LB Titus Osterman rounds out the on-campus commit group.

These five matter. At this stage of the cycle, commits selling commits could be the difference between a “great visit” and a pledge.

What I’m watching

The June calendar is going to do most of the actual decision-making in this class — Texas A&M gets Tyson, Clemson and Tennessee get Gray, ASU and Utah get Loud. Washington’s job this weekend is not to close all of them. It is to set the standard that every program after it has to clear.

If the Huskies walk out of May 29–31 having locked in a June commitment from any one of Tyson, Hill, Gray, or Loud, the weekend is a clear win. If they get two, this class jumps into a different conversation entirely.

Devers arrives in Seattle after serving as a developmental player on the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, the top-tier men’s professional league in Australia and New Zealand. Facing professional competition, Devers carved out a solid rotational role for the Bullets, averaging 4.9 PPG, 1.1 APG, 1.5 RPG, shooting 41 % from the field this past season.

Scouting Report: What Devers Brings to Montlake

Characterized as a “versatile guard” with “good size” for his position, Devers brings a mature and physical skill set to the Big Ten. He has extensive high-level experience on the international stage, representing Australia in both the U17 FIBA World Cup and the U16 Asia Cup.

On the court, Devers is a true three-level scoring threat. He can create his own outside shot, and he can use his size to drive to the basket and finish through contact.

The Roster Outlook

Devers provides critical backcourt depth for Sprinkle. He projects to slide immediately into the rotation, likely backing up returning rising junior Wesley Yates.

His commitment marks a clear offseason trend for the Huskies. Devers is the second international player to commit to UW this month, joining Brazilian big man Wini Braga. With Devers on board, Sprinkle has just two remaining roster spots to fill for the upcoming season.

Can Washington land another Top 15-ranked recruiting class for the 2027 cycle?

The Huskies currently have 13 commitments: four 4-stars and nine 3-stars. The class is currently ranked No. 18 per Rivals and No. 13 per 247 Sports.

Jedd Fisch’s biggest pickup so far is arguably four-star QB Blake Roskopf (Desert Edge - AZ). Washington has also secured the commitment of top in-state prospect, four-star WR Braylon Pope (Sumner - WA).

They are still in the pursuit of a few other four-stars.

Here’s my latest intel:

• If you missed last night’s late night news, Washington landed 3-star safety Isala Aisa Wily-Ava out of St. John Bosco. Here’s a link to my story:

• The Huskies are done at running back. Per a source, they are taking one running back in this class: four-star Jeremy Adeyanju, who committed to Washington back in March.

• Washington likely wants to add at least two more wide receivers to its class. The Huskies currently have commitments from Pope and three-star Zerek Sidney (Desert Edge - AZ). There are three main targets on the board: four-star Dontay Tyson (Peoria - AZ); four-star Osani Gayles (IMG Academy - AZ); and four-star Tre Moore (Weiss - TX). I like the Huskies’ chances with Tyson - the Arizona to Montlake pipeline has been fruitful for wide receiver coach Kevin Cummings. Tyson has officials set to Washington (May 29-31) and Texas A&M (June 12).

• I could also see the Huskies reeling in Gayles. His sister graduated from the University of Washington last year, so he is more familiar with UW than the average recruit. The Huskies are in his Top 5, along with Notre Dame, Stanford, Tennnessee, and Alabama.

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• It is increasingly becoming more of a matter of when, and not if, regarding local four-star defensive lineman Tevita Nonu committing to Washington. The Rivals Prediction model has Washington as the favorite at 94.2 percent. What about that remaining 5.8%? Nonu set his top 5 earlier this week: Arizona, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Washington. Nonu is at UCLA this weekend for an official visit, then, in two weeks, he’ll be at Arizona (May 29), before taking his Washington official visit (June 5).

• Nonu has been a regular at UW spring practices and just about every major recruiting event the past two years, and the staff connections run deep. His O’Dea defensive line coach is Stafford Mays, the former Husky whose son Taylor coaches safeties for Fisch. Nonu also played alongside current Husky signee David Schwerzel at O’Dea. Pairing Nonu with already-committed four-star DL Jon Ioane (Tustin, CA) on the interior would be a haul that defines this defensive line class.

• Some reporters thought that Washington was finished recruiting quarterbacks after Roskopf commited in early April, but the Huskies have put on a full-court press to woo three-star quarterback Caden Jones (Crean Lutheran - CA). Jones, who also holds a basketball offer from Washington’s Danny Sprinkle, received a day-long visit from Huskies’ quarterback coach J.P. Losman last week. Jones has an official visit set to Washington for June 5-7. Arizona, where his older brother Carter stars, is believed to be the favorite, but the Huskies are a dark horse.

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• Washington gained a commitment from in-state tight end target three-star Zach Albright (Glacier Peak - WA) in late April, now they are looking to potentially land one more tight end in this class. I checked in with three-star Jeramie Cooper (North Crowley - TX) on Friday, who told me that he still locked in for his June 5-7 official visit to Washington. He’ll be at Houston the week prior (May 29) and also has visits to Pitt (June 18) and Arkansas (June 12) after Washington. Some are pegging Houston as the favorite because of the hometown advantage, but a strong official visit in Seattle could change things. Huskies Tight End Coach Jordan Paopao has an impressive resume of getting tight ends into the NFL, that is UW’s strongest pitch in wooing the Texas recruit.

Jedd Fisch and his staff have landed one of the most coveted defensive backs on the West Coast.

Isala Aisa Wily-Ava, a 3-star safety out of Bellflower, California’s St. John Bosco, announced his commitment to the Washington Huskies this weekend, choosing Washington over Arizona State in what became a true two-team race down the stretch. He becomes one of the headliners of Washington’s growing 2027 class — and a statement pickup against a Big 12 program that pushed hard until the end.

At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Wily-Ava is the kind of safety prospect modern defenses are built around. As a junior, he finished the season with 50 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception. Rivals Industry Ranking has him as a Top-40 2027 recruit in California and as a Top-40-ranked safety, nationally.

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Huskies safeties coach Taylor Mays has been central to Wily-Ava’s recruitment from the start, and the parallels are important to point out — Mays, a three-time All-American safety at USC and a former NFL player, built his career on the same kind of size-and-versatility package Wily-Ava is growing into. During his recruitment, Mays told Wily-Ava that he could play corner, safety, or linebacker at the next level. For a prospect who has spent his sophomore and junior years showing flashes of all three, that pitch landed.

Arizona State made this one a fight. The Sun Devils were squarely in the mix throughout the spring. Michigan was also among the programs in the late mix.

For Washington’s 2027 class, Wily-Ava’s pledge is a foundational piece in the secondary and another signal that Fisch’s staff can win head-to-head battles for elite West Coast talent.

The St. John Bosco pipeline also matters here. The Braves remain one of the most heavily recruited programs in the country, and a commitment of this caliber reinforces Washington’s connection with the Southern California powerhouse.

By the time Wily-Ava arrives in Seattle, Husky fans will be getting a player who already looks the part, plays multiple positions at a high level, and chose Washington over a Power 4 program that pushed for him to the very end.

Zamir “Bam” Paschal, a class of 2026 point guard from Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) appears to have taken a visit to Washington on Thursday, with an offer from Danny Sprinkle’s staff following the trip, according to his Instagram.

The 6-foot-1 Paschal is one of Oregon’s top 2026 prospects. The three-star recruit is the No. 1-ranked player in Oregon according to Rivals Industry Ranking and the No. 40 point guard nationally.

Paschal is coming off a senior season that ended with a deep state-tournament run for top-seeded Central Catholic. In the 6A state semifinal win against Jesuit, he scored 19 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter — going 7-for-7 from the floor in the period, including 2-of-2 from three.

Paschal also holds offers from Portland and Portland State. In early April, Washington State, Oregon State, Sacramento State, and UNLV were showing interest.

Washington’s recruitment of Paschal is coming late in the 2026 recruiting cycle, as most 2026 commitments are in. His recruitment for the Huskies makes sense. The team needs point guard depth behind USF transfer Ryan Beasley, the Huskies’ presumptive starting point guard. The team has three remaining roster spots and is thin at point guard.

If Paschal were to commit to the Huskies, he’d be the second player to sign with Washington from the 2026 class, following Lattimore Ford’s commitment in late April.

By my count, the team has three open roster spots to fill out the 15-player limit.

Here is the depth chart as it stands (class years are for the 2026-27 season):

PG: Ryan Beasley (Sr.); B.J. Roy (So.)

SG: Wesley Yates (Jr.); Parker Friedrichsen (Sr.); Lattimore Ford (Fr.)

SF: LeJuan Watts (Sr.); Steele Venters (Sr.): Jasir Rencher (So.)

PF/C: Wini Braga (Fr.); Mady Traore (Sr.); Lathan Sommerville (Jr.); Nikola Dzepina (So.)

Washington Head Coach Danny Sprinkle is likely looking for depth at the point guard position.

Wini Braga commits to Washington

Husky fans received good news on Tuesday, as Braga’s commitment to Washington became public. Wini (pronounced “Vinny”) Braga currently plays professionally for Minas Tenis Clube in the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) league. He is averaging 9.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.1 BPG, and shooting 52.4 % from the field this season.

Guilherme Tadeu, a writer for Cafe Belgrado, a Brazilian-based basketball podcast, said on X that Braga is a “light-bodied big man with above-average technical skills” that has a “soft touch around the basket.”

Braga may be the biggest offseason pickup for Washington Head Coach Danny Sprinkle. Kentucky and Georgetown were reportedly extended offers this offseason to Braga, with Texas and UConn also trying to land him in 2025.

In March, Braga starred for Brazil’s national team in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers in Miami. Braga’s play stood out among the younger generation of players participating in the qualifiers:

After playing only 10 minutes across the first window, Silva has made a statement during Window 2 with an average of 12 points per game, shooting 80 percent from the floor against Venezuela and 60 percent against Colombia.

Averaging just 13.5 minutes across windows, Silva has quickly become a go-to rotational player to make an offensive impact for Brazil, as the 6'9" forward is hard to stop in the paint.

Braga figures play a prominent role in the Huskies’ rotation next season, with a good possibility of locking down a starting spot. His professional and international experience makes him a lot more prepared than the usual incoming true freshman. Under the current NCAA rules, Braga has four years of eligibility. However, if the current “5 in 5” proposal passes, Braga would only have three years of eligibility because his 5-year clock started in 2024.

Huskies Eye Another International Prospect

Washington is also reportedly interested in 6-0 point guard Cauã Pacheco, another prospect from Brazil. Troy and Merrimack are also showing interest. Pacheco stars for Pinheiros in Brazil's NBB. He is averaging 10.2 PPG, 3.4 APG and 2.4 RPG.

What’s Left in the Transfer Portal?

Even though the transfer portal window is closed, as long as a player entered the portal while it was open, he may sign with any team after it closes. Here are six uncommitted names I’m keeping my eye on:

• Tyler Mrus, F, BYU (Jr.) — Washington showed preliminary interest in Mrus when the portal opened. He is still available and recently visited a WCC school. He is a 6-7 wing and is a Bothell-native who graduated from Seattle Prep. He shot nearly 38% from three when he was at Idaho two seasons ago.

• John Christofolis, G, Seattle U (Sr.) — The O’Dea grad received a medical waiver and will get another year of eligibility. While his numbers have steadily declined since his sophomore season at Seattle U, the hope would be that a change of scenery could return him to form when he averaged 12.7 PPG and shot 39.8 3PT % that season.

• Austin Maurer, C, Seattle U (So.) — There has been buzz around Maurer’s name and Washington, and Tuesday was the first time I saw the Huskies connected with Maurer via a reliable source. The seven-footer averaged nearly a block per game starring for the Redhawks this past season. He also averaged 7.2 PPG and 4.7 RPG.

• Ethan Copeland, G, Stetson (Jr.) — Copeland is drawing interest from Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, and Pacific. He averaged 15.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 44.1% FG, 42.9% 3FG. He tallied 20 points or more in 9 games last season.

• Elijah Duval, G, Southern Utah (Fr.) — The WAC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-WAC is one of the coveted remaining guards in the portal. He averaged 15.3 PPG and 3.6 APG and would provide a worthy competitor to Ryan Beasley for the starting point guard spot. Duval visited UAB last Sunday.

• Kalen Garry, G, South Dakota State (RS Jr.) — Washington still needs point guard depth. Garry averaged 10.7 PPG 5.2 RPG, 3.2 APG. He’s been a full-time starter for the Jackrabbits the past two seasons.

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Class of 2027 Update

• Local four-star point guard Jalen Davis, out of Bremerton is starting to collect an impressive list of offers. Both Kansas and Texas Tech offered Davis at the end of April. A recent scouting report at Babcock Hoops stated that Davis could potentially be the No. 1 point guard in the 2027 class.

• Washington remains relevant in Darius Wabbington’s recruitment. The five-star center prospect is also being pursued by powerhouse programs Purdue, Louisville, Indiana, Texas, and Arizona. Wabbington took an official visit to Washington last fall.

• Malachi Jordan, a four-star wing who stars for Dream City Christian, recently broke down his visits with Washington and Tennessee last year for Rivals.

Washington has its first offensive lineman in the 2027 class.

Reis Russell, a 3-star interior offensive lineman out of Valor Christian in Littleton, Colorado, announced his commitment to the Huskies on Monday, choosing Jedd Fisch’s program over a final group that included Florida, Georgia, Miami, Oregon and SMU. Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett reported the commitment first.

For Russell, the decision came down to relationships — particularly the ones he had built with Fisch and offensive line coach Ivan Switzer.

“This staff is awesome and I can’t wait to be a DAWG!” Russell told SeaTown Sports. “Coach Switz and Fisch are the best and I’ve built a great relationship with them in this process!”

At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, Russell holds more than 30 offers from across the country and is rated as a top 10 prospect in Colorado. His official visit to Washington is scheduled for the June 19–21 weekend, a date that has been quietly stacking up as one of the most important on the Huskies’ summer board.

Russell’s recruitment had been trending in this direction for weeks. He named Washington to his top six in early February, framing the cut as a difficult one — “Each of these schools brings different stuff to the table,” he said at the time — but the pull from Montlake never let up. Switzer’s evaluation, his pitch, and the staff’s consistent presence in Russell’s process gradually turned a crowded field into a clear top of the board.

The commitment is significant for a few reasons.

First, it gives Washington its OL1 of the 2027 cycle, a critical anchor at a position the staff is rebuilding from the inside out. Interior offensive line has been a stated priority for Fisch and Switzer since they arrived in Seattle, and Russell is the kind of cornerstone you build a class around — high-end measurables, a deep offer sheet, and national-level competition for his services.

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Second, it’s a recruiting win on the talent map. Pulling a top-six target out of a field that included Georgia, Florida, and Oregon — Washington’s most direct Pacific Northwest competitor — is the kind of decision that signals where the Huskies sit in 2027 conversations. This wasn’t a recruitment Washington stumbled into. The staff was in it from the start, and they closed.

Third, it builds momentum heading into the spring and summer evaluation period. Washington’s 2027 official visit board is already loaded with offensive line targets in the program’s June 19–21 official weekend. Russell’s commitment gives the staff a young, engaged voice in the room when the rest of those visitors arrive on campus.

Russell joins a 2027 class that the Huskies have steadily been assembling, with a clear emphasis on Pacific Northwest roots, West Coast pipelines, and high-character family fits.

Now they have their offensive line cornerstone.

The Dawgs are on the board up front.

Updated - 4/30/26, 4:07 p.m. added Josh Christensen

The Washington Huskies wrap up spring practice Friday night with Dawgs After Dark, a 6:30 p.m. PT spring showcase under the lights at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. As is customary at this point in the calendar, Jedd Fisch and his staff will host a heavy contingent of recruiting visitors, headlined by their newest 2027 commit and a deep slate of in-state and regional priority targets across the 2027 and 2028 classes.

Below is a rundown of recruits confirmed by SeaTown Sports, expected to be in attendance, and a brief look at where each stands in the Huskies’ recruiting board.

Star ratings and rankings come from On3/Rivals.

Zach Albright (2027 commit, TE) — Glacier Peak HS, Snohomish, WA

6-5, 235 lbs. Three-star tight end. The newest pledge in the Huskies’ 2027 class, having committed to Washington on Monday night over offers from Michigan, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Cal, Utah, and Minnesota. Albright is a three-sport athlete at Glacier Peak — also a standout basketball player and high jumper — and has been a frequent face on Montlake throughout the past year, attending the Illinois and Oregon games last fall, March’s Junior Day, and multiple spring practices. Tight ends coach Jordan Paopao made him a recruiting priority early, and that consistency paid off. Albright is now the third in-state pledge in the 2027 class, joining Sumner WR Braylon Pope and Graham-Kapowsin CB Maurice Williams. His official visit is set for June 5.

Zerek Sidney (2027 commit, WR) — Desert Edge HS, Goodyear, AZ

6-0, 175 lbs. Four-star wide receiver. The headline-grabbing 2027 commit when he picked Washington over Oklahoma, Arizona State, USC, and Notre Dame in late January. Sidney’s connection with WRs coach Kevin Cummings goes back to a 2024 sophomore season at Desert Edge in which he caught 45 passes for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to an Arizona 5A championship. He’s the second wide receiver pledge in Washington’s 2027 class behind Pope and continues Cummings’ growing pipeline into Arizona, which previously produced current Husky wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck.

Braylon Pope (2027 commit, WR) — Sumner HS, Sumner WA

6-3, 190 lbs. Four-star wide receiver. Pope was the spark that ignited Washington’s 2027 class, becoming Jedd Fisch’s first commit for the cycle back in December. On3 rates him as the state’s No. 1 overall 2027 prospect. He helped lead Sumner to a 4A state championship over Lake Stevens at Husky Stadium. As a junior last fall, he racked up 52 receptions for 869 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wide receivers coach Kevin Cummings managed to keep the premier in-state talent home over offers from USC, Oregon, and Miami. His presence on campus for the spring game helps solidify his role as a peer recruit for the rest of the 2027 class.

Jeremy Adeyanju (2027 commit, RB) — Sandra Day O’Connor HS, Glendale, AZ

6-0, 215 lbs. Four-star running back. Committed in mid-March after taking a Junior Day visit on March 7. Adeyanju is the second Arizona pledge in this class. As a junior in 2024, Adeyanju ran for 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns on 147 carries, breaking the 100-yard mark five times. RBs coach Scottie Graham was the lead recruiter and beat out Michigan, Wisconsin, USC, UCLA, and Florida among others.

Tytan McNeal (2028, TE) — Eastside Catholic HS, Sammamish, WA

6-5, 215 lbs. Four-star tight end. The No. 1 tight end in the country in the 2028 class and the top-ranked in-state recruit. McNeal already holds 25 offers and has been on a national tour this spring with visits to Cal, Michigan, and Texas. The Huskies extended an offer in 2024 and Paopao has continued to make him a priority. McNeal is also a high-major basketball recruit (he played EYBL with Seattle Rotary), so the recruitment is layered — but Washington remains squarely in the picture, with Eastside Catholic’s geographic proximity and the Paopao tight end track record working in their favor.

Ty Tautolo (2027, DL) — Lake Stevens HS, Lake Stevens, WA

6-5, 245 lbs. Three-star edge rusher. Tautolo has emerged as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the state — earning WSFCA 4A First Team All-State honors as a junior and helping lead Lake Stevens to the 4A state championship game. He holds over 10 offers including Washington, Oregon, Cal, Kansas State, and Texas A&M. Tautolo is a top defensive line priority for coach Jason Kaufusi, and he attended last year's spring game and the UW–Colorado State opener last fall. Proximity matters here, and so does the relationship Kaufusi has been building over multiple cycles.

AJ Tuivaiave (2028, QB) — Graham-Kapowsin HS, Parkland, WA

6-4, 225 lbs. Four-star pro-style quarterback. In his sophomore season, he was named SPSL Offensive Player of the Year and was the Tacoma News Tribune’s 1st Team All-Area QB. He led his team to an 11-2 record, tallying 3029 passing yards, a 70% completion percentage, 32 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He already holds offers from Arizona State, Miami, BYU, and others, and at 14 years old, he was reportedly fielding D1 interest before he played a varsity snap. He’s the kind of homegrown talent Washington can’t afford to lose. A spring game visit is meaningful given how aggressively national programs are circling.

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Jordan Slye Jr. (2028, ATH/DB) — Salesian HS, Los Angeles, CA

6-1, 170 lbs. Two-way athlete projected as a defensive back. USC offered him as a freshman, and he’s added scholarships from UCLA, San Diego State, UNLV, Cal, and Colorado State. Slye visited USC during the March spring camp and has been working on additional west coast trips, with the UW spring game now joining that itinerary. Washington has been on him for a while; this is one of those visits where Fisch’s staff gets a chance to plant a flag before the 2028 recruitment kicks into a higher gear.

Markel Newell (2028, DB) — Puyallup HS, Puyallup, WA

5-11, 180 lbs. Athlete projected as a safety or cornerback. Holds 11 offers including Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, and Washington State. The Huskies were the first to offer, and as a local product attending a school that has produced multiple recent Power 4 commits — including UW 2026 signee Ah Deong Yang — Newell is a name to track closely as the 2028 class develops.

Mekhi Fields (2028, CB/ATH) — Rainier Beach HS, Seattle, WA

5-11, 175 lbs. Fields plays both ways and has logged starts on Rainier Beach’s varsity since his freshman year. Sacramento State has extended an offer, with regional Power 4 interest building. Like Achilles Reyna, his teammate who recently picked up a UW offer, Fields represents Washington’s continued effort to recruit from Rainier Beach.

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MyKel Ramos (2028, DB) — Sierra Canyon HS, Chatsworth, CA

6-2, 170 lbs. Three-star defensive back. Ramos transferred to Sierra Canyon after a 2025 sophomore season at Mater Dei, where he played a part in a Trinity League championship run. He told SeaTown Sports that his Washington visit is locked in for the spring game, and he holds offers from Arizona State, North Carolina, Maryland, and Colorado State, with UW’s offer dating to last June. Secondary coach John Richardson has Ramos squarely on his board as the 2028 cycle starts to take shape.

Ofa Teu Tagovailoa-Taufalele (2028, OL) — Life Christian Academy, Tacoma, WA

6-3, 330 lbs. Interior offensive lineman. UW was his first Division I offer back in May 2024. His recruitment has grown steadily as he’s added size and polish. Coach Michael Switzer and the offensive line staff have been heavily involved in the local 2028 class, and Taufalele is a centerpiece of those efforts.

Michael Berardesco (2028, LB) — Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, NJ

Berardesco is a new target for the Huskies in the 2028 cycle. Berardesco received an offer from Washington in February 2025 and is making the cross-country trip for an unofficial visit to attend the spring game. He recently visited UConn in March and continues to see his recruitment expand nationally.

Nate Obasanjo (2027, LB) — Mount Rainier HS, Des Moines, WA

Obasanjo is a local linebacker on the Huskies’ radar. He made an unofficial visit to Montlake for a spring practice in early April and connected with Washington linebacker coach Brian Odom. He has official visits scheduled to Washington State and UNLV.

Gecova Doyal (2027, OL) — Puyallup HS, Puyallup, WA

6-4, 285 lbs. Offensive lineman. Doyal, a four-star recruit, is without a doubt, one of Jedd Fisch and Michael Switzer’s primary targets in the 2027 class. He is a premier in-state trench player in this cycle. After Washington’s Junior Day in March, he told On3 that he got a “great vibe” from the Washington coaching staff. He has official visits set with UCLA (May 15), Oregon (June 5), and Washington (June 19).

Luke Jennings (2028, OL) — Glacier Peak HS, Snohomish HS, WA

6-4, 290 lbs. Offensive lineman. Jennings is a promising sophomore from the in-state ranks who boasts excellent size and strength for his age. He makes the trip to Montlake alongside his Glacier Peak teammate, the newest 2027 Washington tight end commit, Zach Albright. A recent scouting report from Six Star Football highlighted his “ability to anchor effectively and control the point of attack.” Jenning is a name to monitor closely in the 2028 cycle. Friday night offers an opportunity for offensive line coach Michael Switzer to establish an early foundation for Washington in his recruitment.

Chrystian Ervin (2028, RB) — O’Dea HS, Seattle, WA

5-1, 205 lbs. Running back. Ervin is an emerging local prospect out of traditional powerhouse O’Dea High School. Keeping top-tier talent home is a priority for Jedd Fisch’s staff, and getting Ervin on campus for the spring game gives running backs coach Scottie Graham an early opportunity to build a relationship with Ervin before his recruitment kicks into high gear.

Josh Christensen (2027, EDGE) — Lake Oswego HS, Lake Oswego, OR

6-6, 250 lbs. EDGE. Christensen, a three-star edge rusher, is one of the most intriguing big-frame athletes in the Pacific Northwest. His recruitment has accelerated rapidly this spring; after visiting Washington for a spring practice in early April, he landed a Washington offer, followed shortly by an offer from the home-state Oregon Ducks. While he has already locked in June official visits to Utah, Washington State, and Northwestern, his presence at UW’s spring game allows defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi to continue building his relationship with Christensen.

Also Expected to Attend

• Lemani Fehoko (2027, DL/OL) — Junipero Serra HS, San Mateo, CA. 6-2, 270-pound trench player with 17 offers including Cal, Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, and Washington State. He’s set to officially visit Washington State on June 5; a UW visit Friday would be a notable get for Kaufusi and the defensive line staff in their efforts to break into the Bay Area.

We’ll have more on these visits as the weekend unfolds.

One of the top prospects in the state of Washington’s 2028 class is heading to Montlake this weekend.

Kaicen Carter, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound LB out of Federal Way High School, will take an unofficial visit to Washington on Saturday, April 26, for the Huskies’ spring practice, SeaTown Sports has learned.

Carter burst onto the recruiting scene after starring at the Avery Strong College Showcase at the University of Puget Sound, where he caught the attention of FBS programs and earned multiple scholarship offers in a single weekend. His combination of size, athleticism, and versatility on both sides of the ball has made him a priority target for programs across the country.

Carter has had one of the most impressive offseasons of any underclassman in the Northwest last year, landing double-digit offers while standing out on the 7-on-7 circuit. His offer sheet includes Washington, Cal, Minnesota, ASU, Boise State, UNLV, Colorado State, Arkansas, San Diego State, Idaho, and New Mexico.

Washington holds an obvious geographical advantage with Carter playing his high school ball less than 30 miles from Montlake. Saturday’s visit gives the Huskies a chance to make a strong in-person impression on one of their top in-state targets early in the 2028 cycle.

Danny Sprinkle has officially kept a key piece of local talent at home. Lattimore Ford, a 6-6 standout from Mount Si, announced his commitment to Washington on Friday via Instagram.

The 6-6 guard is Danny Sprinkle’s first commitment — and perhaps the only — of the 2026 class. Ford has been on Washington’s radar since his sophomore season, when he received a scholarship offer in May 2024. He later took an unofficial visit to Montlake in October 2024. After that visit, he told SeaTown Sports that the coaching staff is “like a family” and praised Sprinkle’s efforts in “creating a winning culture.”

Ford is an explosive athlete who can finish above the rim in both transition and half-court. He’s also a winner. Ford helped lead Mount Si to an undefeated record and a WIAA 4A state championship in his sophomore season. He recently competed in the 2026 Northwest Shootout and helped lead Team Washington to a victory, tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds in the all-star game.

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A shot to play at Washington was no guarantee. Following a stellar sophomore campaign, Ford tore his ACL at the end of his junior season, spending the entire summer grinding through rehab. His resilience paid off when he returned to action this past January for Mount Si and helped lead the team to a fourth-place finish at the state tournament.

For Ford, the decision ultimately came back to purpose — and place. “I’ve slowly been coming to the realization that this sport, with the amount of support I get, my job has become bigger than myself,” he said. “It has come full circle that that is my reality, and I’m thankful and blessed to be in this situation.” The coaching staff’s loyalty through his injury only deepened his commitment. “Them sticking with me throughout my injury meant the world to me,” Ford said. “I owe them all the effort I can give.”

That effort, he made clear, is for the city. “I am ready to give the University of Washington my all — through injuries, illnesses, whatever unexpected events may occur,” Ford said. “Husky fans, each and every extra rep and extra hour in the gym is for you.”

Ford’s addition further stabilizes a roster undergoing an offseason rebuild. He’ll provide Washington with needed depth at the shooting guard position and will battle for minutes off the bench behind Wesley Yates.

The Huskies lost a handful of seniors to graduation and other players to the transfer portal. Ford is the fifth new player to join the Huskies this offseason, along with four players out of the transfer portal. Sprinkle and his staff now have four roster spots to fill. The Huskies remain in play for UConn transfer and local high school standout Jaylin Stewart, but it remains to be seen if Stewart will return home.

Washington Lands Venters and Friedrichsen

The Huskies jump-started their recruiting class this week with two major backcourt additions. On Sunday, Washington secured Davidson’s Parker Friedrichsen. They followed that up on Wednesday evening by landing a commitment from Gonzaga’s Steele Venters.

Parker Friedrichsen (Davidson) - Guard, 6-4

Washington’s first portal commitment of the offseason is a 6-4, 200 lb guard from Bixby, Oklahoma. Friedrichsen, who will be a senior next fall, committed to Washington following a weekend visit to Montlake. After spending two seasons at Wake Forest and one at Davidson, Friedrichsen brings valuable experience. He averaged 10.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.4 APG last season while shooting a blistering 40.5% from deep. He projects as a premier long-range threat for the Huskies.

Steele Venters (Gonzaga) - Forward, 6-7

The Huskies doubled down on shooting by securing the Ellensburg native. Venters moves across the state after a stint with the Zags and three standout seasons at Eastern Washington, where he earned Big Sky Player of the Year honors in 2023. With career averages of 11.4 PPG and a 39.6% three-point clip, Venters provides veteran leadership and elite floor-spacing on the wing.

Visit Watch: Braeden Smith Reportedly Visiting Washington

Braeden Smith (Gonzaga) - Guard, 6-0

As one former Zag just committed to Washington, another one might be right behind him. I previewed last week that Washington was likely targeting Smith after the Gonzaga guard announced entering the transfer portal. Smith, a former Seattle Prep standout and Colgate star, is visiting Washington, according to a report from 247 Sports’ Jack McCauley.

The Huskies are desperate for a floor general, and Smith fits the bill perfectly. A former Patriot League Player of the Year, he is a high-IQ distributor who would likely slide into the starting point guard spot immediately.

The Backcourt Exodus

The portal giveth, and it taketh away. Washington saw two significant departures this week:

• Zoom Diallo: The hometown hero officially signed with Kentucky on Wednesday. While losing a talent like Diallo (15.7 PPG, 4.5 APG) is a blow to the program’s local optics, the Huskies are pivoting quickly to veteran replacements.

• JJ Mandaquit: The freshman guard committed to Arizona on Monday, further thinning the returning backcourt depth.

Confirmed Targets

Guards

• Mikey Lewis, G (Saint Mary’s): After visiting Washington on Sunday, Lewis headed to Oregon. He averaged 13.9 PPG and shot 36.8% from three last season.

• Mason Williams (Iowa State): As I highlighted last weekend, it was likely that Washington had Williams on its board as soon as he entered the portal. According to the Portal Report, Washington is one of the schools showing interest in Williams. The O’Dea alum and former Eastern Washington standout is a high-priority homecoming target. Despite a hip injury last year, his 37% career three-point average makes him an ideal replacement for lost scoring.

• Gavin Sykes (Long Beach State): The Big West Freshman of the Year (19.4 PPG) is one of the most coveted scorers available .According to The Athletic’s Tobias Bass, Washington is showing interest in Sykes. He is doing Zooms with schools before setting up visits. The Huskies will obviously want to get him on campus.

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• Tijan Saine (Weber State): Before the portal opening, I highlighted Saine as a potential target for the Huskies. Washington eventually reached out to Saine last Sunday, expressing their interest in potentially bringing him back to the Northwest, where he attended Mariner High School in Everett. Saine exploded for 17.5 ppg at Weber State. He would provide immediate veteran leadership and experience to the Huskies.

• Jake Hall (New Mexico): The Mountain West Freshman of the Year is a lethal shooter, averaging 16.4 PPG on 43.8% from beyond the arc.

• Isaiah Elohim (FAU): A four-star prospect out of high school, Elohim blossmed at FAU after a stint at USC. He averaged 12.4 PPG and 4.2 RPG this past season.

• Daniel Freitag (Buffalo): Freitag exploded at Buffalo last season after transferring from Wisconsin. The 6-2 guard averaged 19.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.8 APG.

Forwards and Centers

• LeJuan Watts (Texas Tech): Watts remains a priority target for Washington after visiting the Huskies on Saturday (Apr. 11). He is a battle-tested and high-motor forward who averaged 11.8 PPG, 6 RPG, and 2.4 APG in the Big 12 last season.

• Drew Fielder, C (Boise State): A stretch-five who shot 40.9% from three last season. He is set to visit Washington following a trip to Nebraska.

• TJ Burch (Wright State): A defensive specialist and the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 12.4 PPG and led his league in steals.

• Tyler Mrus (BYU): The Huskies are looking at Tyler Mrus, a Seattle Prep graduate entering his final year of eligibility. Prior to his transfer to BYU, Mrus started 31 games at Idaho, where he averaged 9.7 PPG and shot 38% from three-point range.

• Franck Kepnang (Washington): Kepnang announced he is entering the portal on Tuesday (Apr. 14) with “the possibility of wearing the Purple and Gold one last time.”

Likely Targets

• Isaiah Watts (Maryland): The grandson of Sonics legend Slick Watts is back in the portal. After a rotational role at Maryland, the Seattle native and former WSU standout is a prime candidate to provide backcourt depth and local energy for his final year of eligibility.

Off the Board

Players Washington targeted, but have committed elsewhere or are not visiting Washington

Commitments: Zoom Diallo (Kentucky); Jaylen Petty (UCLA)

Not visiting Washington as of now: Tylen Riley (Tulsa); Cruz Davis (Hofstra); Ice Emery (Cleveland State)

We have hit the first weekend of the men’s basketball transfer portal weekend. Things are moving fast. Here’s what has happened in the first four days: Washington has had at least two on-campus visits and confirmed Zoom activity with several targets. The staff is moving. What shakes out over the rest of the transfer portal window will define Year Three under Danny Sprinkle before it even starts.

For an update on departing Huskies, head on over to our transfer portal tracker:

Here is where things stand as of this weekend.

CONFIRMED INTEREST

These are players for whom there is confirmed or credible reported interest between Washington and the player’s camp. Some are further along than others — I’ve noted where things stand for each.

LeJuan Watts | F | 6’6” | Texas Tech

Testing NBA Draft simultaneously · 1 year eligibility remaining

According to 247 Sports’ Jack McCauley, Washington hosted Watts for a visit on Saturday. Watts is the player Quincy Pondexter and the UW staff came closest to landing last spring, when he chose Texas Tech instead. He was a force at WSU, averaging 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting a blistering 42% from three.

His brother DeSean Watts transferred to Washington from Sacramento State this past football transfer portal window. The family connection, Pondexter’s pre-existing relationship, and now a reported visit — this is the most significant development of the portal window for UW fans so far.

Steele Venters | W | 6’7” | Gonzaga

Former Big Sky Player of the Year · Ellensburg, WA

According to 247 Sports’ Jack McCauley, Washington hosted Venters for a visit this weekend. will be entering his seventh year of college basketball, and he will need to win a medical waiver from the NCAA to play in 2026-27. That waiver is not guaranteed, and any program that pursues him has to budget for the possibility that it doesn’t come through.

Venters is a former Big Sky Player of the Year who averaged 15.3 PPG at Eastern Washington. After two injury-plagued years at Gonzaga, he’s looking for a fresh start. If a waiver is granted, he can be an elite 6-7 floor-spacer this roster desperately needs.

Mikey Lewis | G | 6’3” | Saint Mary’s

Two years of eligibility remaining · Oakland, CA

According to Jon Rothstein, the former four-star recruit is scheduled to visit Washington on Sunday. Lewis, a dynamic scoring guard, averaged 13.9 ppg for the Gaels, who made the NCAA tournament this past season.

Lewis was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school who chose Saint Mary’s over several high-major offers.

With the Huskies looking to replace significant production in the backcourt, Lewis offers a high-upside combination of size and scoring ability. His experience in a disciplined, winning culture like Saint Mary’s makes him a plug-and-play candidate for Danny Sprinkle’s rotation.

Drew Fielder | C | 6’11” | Boise State

One year of eligibility · Idaho-native

The most actionable name on this list right now. Fielder visited Nebraska and will visit Washington next, according to a report by Sam Kayser.

Fielder led the Mountain West in field goal percentage while shooting 40.9% from three. With Hannes Steinbach likely NBA-bound, UW has a massive vacancy in the frontcourt.

Jaylen Petty | G | 6’1” | Texas Tech

Three years of eligibility · Rainier Beach HS, Seattle

This one is personal for Dawg fans and it should be. Petty is a Seattle native — Rainier Beach High School, Washington Gatorade Player of the Year — who averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and shot 37.5% from three in 33 Big 12 games as a true freshman.

Petty is one of the most valuable young guards in the portal with significant long term upside.

As of Thursday, per a source, I was told Petty is expecting to cut his list down to three schools. I’d expect Washington to get a visit given their involvement with his recruitment coming out of high school, along with it being Petty’s hometown school.

Daniel Freitag | G | 6’2” | Buffalo

Two years of eligibility · Former 4-star recruit

Freitag is getting interest from Washington. Freitag signed with Wisconsin as a top-100 recruit, spent one year largely unused in Madison, transferred to Buffalo, and averaged 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists this season — one of the MAC’s best guard performances.

A 6-2 former 4-star who erupted for nearly 20 points a night after being written off is a player worth a serious look. With Washington’s backcourt effectively starting from scratch, Freitag profiles as a legitimate option if his camp is willing to bet on a rebuilding program with a clear starting role available.

Ryan Prather Jr. | G | 6’5” | Robert Morris

At least one year of eligibility remaining · Clarksburg, MD

Prather led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio this season (4.44). He’s a smart, efficient playmaker who averaged 15.7 PPG and shot 37% from three. Prather is a reliable point guard who would address UW’s biggest position need. He is on a visit to Iowa State this weekend.

Ice Emery | G | 6’0” | Cleveland State

Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year · Appleton, WI

Emery was the Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year this past season. He averaged 12.7 PPG and provided a spark off the bench with a 38.2% clip from deep.

TJ Burch | G | 6’1” | Wright State

Two years of eligiblity remaining · Dallas, TX

Burch averaged 12.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 steals this season at Wright State after starting his career at Ball State. The steals number — 2.6 per game — is the standout figure, suggesting an active, disruptive defender who can also create offense.

Isaiah Elohim | G | 6’5” | FAU

Former 4-star recruit · Multiple years of eligibility remaining

Elohim was a highly recruited prospect out of Sierra Canyon High School in California — turned down Kentucky, Kansas, and Michigan to follow Eric Musselman to USC — before transferring to FAU after limited playing time. On USC’s staff during Elohim’s freshman season was current UW assistant coach Quincy Pondexter. Though the production at FAU was modest (12.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1 apg) Elohim’s underlying profile of being a 6-5 combo guard with a legitimate recruiting pedigree is worth monitoring.

Tyler Mrus | F | 6’7” | BYU

From Bothell, WA · One year of eligibility remaining

The Pacific Northwest connection is the hook here. Mrus is a 6’7” wing from Bothell, Washington, who shot nearly 38% from three during two seasons at Idaho before transferring to BYU.

A 6-7 shooter from Bothell who has flashed legitimate three-point ability is worth a look for the Huskies.

The Homegrown Shortlist

These are players where UW is expected to be involved, or where the fit is strong enough that contact is likely if it hasn't happened already.

Legend Smiley | G | 6’5” | San Francisco

Three years of eligibility · Seattle-native

Smiley attended Garfield and won a 3A state championship there, before finishing his high school career at Link Academy. This past season he shot 42% from three in 33 WCC games as a true freshman at USF.

Braeden Smith | G | 6’0” | Gonzaga

One year of eligibility · Seattle Prep alum

Smith was Patriot League Player of the Year at Colgate — 12.5 points and a league-leading 5.6 assists per game — before transferring to Gonzaga, where he started 18 games this season and averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 assists in a diminished role.

Isaiah Watts | G | Maryland

One year of eligibility · West Seattle-native

Watts was a starter at Washington State (11 ppg) before transferring to Maryland where he appeared in 32 games for the Terapins this past season. Watts is the son of Husky legend Donald Watts Jr. and the grandson of Sonics legend Slick Watts.

Mason Williams | G | Iowa State

Missed 2025-26 season due to injury · O’Dea alum

Williams averaged 13.9 points per game in 2024-25 at Eastern Washington. He then transferred to Iowa State, where he missed this season due to injury. Williams’ local ties likely has him on Sprinkle’s radar.