Jon Ioane Commits to Washington: ‘They Are Gonna Get a Dawg Out of Me’
Four-star DL Jon Ioane commits to Washington Huskies, choosing UW over Cal, Penn State, Stanford, and UCLA after Junior Day visit sealed the deal for Jedd Fisch and Jason Kaufusi
Four-star defensive lineman Jon Ioane has committed to the University of Washington, he announced Thursday on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube channel. The Tustin, California standout chose the Huskies over Cal, Penn State, Stanford, and UCLA, giving Jedd Fisch and defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi one of the top trench talents in the 2027 class.
Ioane reflected on the journey that led to his decision. “Man it’s been exciting these past couple years, it’s really been a blessing to be where I’m at today with all these amazing opportunities,” Ioane told SeaTown Sports. “Me and my family had long days and conversations about this decision, but it honestly came down to what I truly thought was the best move for me.”
For Ioane, Washington was that move — and had been for a while. “Luckily for me there was no bad opportunity but [Washington] definitely [ ] stood out for me for a while,” he said. “[Washington] really feels like a family to me and I really think I can add to that and be a part of what they have.”
Ioane is one of the most versatile linemen in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound prospect out of Tustin High School in Southern California has played defensive tackle, offensive line, tight end, and even quarterback during his high school career. He picked up his first scholarship offer from Jedd Fisch’s Arizona staff when he was an eighth grader and has since accumulated more than twenty offers from programs across the country.
After missing his entire freshman season with a knee injury, Ioane bounced back as a sophomore with a dominant campaign: 52 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, eight sacks, 24 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and a pass breakup across 11 games. He even lined up under center, throwing for 475 yards and seven touchdowns. His junior season only solidified his standing as one of the premier trench talents on the West Coast.
Ioane narrowed his recruitment to a final five of Cal, Penn State, Stanford, UCLA, and Washington before making his decision Thursday.
Washington’s Relentless Pursuit
Washington’s recruitment of Ioane has been one of the most consistent and aggressive pushes in the 2027 cycle. The Huskies offered Ioane on May 10, 2024 — his second reported scholarship offer — and never let up. By December 2025, when Ioane released a top 10, he acknowledged the Huskies’ intensity publicly.
Ioane visited Washington for the Huskies’ game against Ohio State in September 2025. Then, in January, the entire defensive staff, led by Washington Defensive Line Coach Jason Kaufusi, made the trip down to Tustin to visit Ioane at his high school. A few days later Ioane made an unofficial visit to Washington while in town for a Seattle Seahawks game. “[It] was a great time, [I] got to tour the place again and show my brothers around, and had some good talk about my recruiting process for them and what they kinda see me as.”
Ioane returned for UW’s Junior Day in early March and came away glowing about the experience. “Man I loved it, the place is beautiful, had a great time with the staff and had a good time seeing some of my boys up there,” Ioane told SeaTown Sports after the visit. “It was definitely cool to meet and talk to everyone again, just love how everyone there is truly a family and they play for each other with all the same goal. I’m a big fan of the people in the building.”
Kaufusi has been the driving force behind this recruitment from the beginning, and the relationship between the two has been a defining factor throughout Ioane’s process.
What Ioane Brings to the Huskies
At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, Ioane profiles as an interior disruptor who can anchor the nose or slide to the three-technique. His versatility — having played both sides of the ball and even quarterback — speaks to his overall athleticism and football IQ.
Ioane joins a 2027 defensive line haul that already includes three-star EDGE/DL Matamatagi Uiagalelei out of Mater Dei, with four-star DL Tevita Nonu of O’Dea in Seattle also scheduled for an official visit June 5–7. Ioane’s commitment signals that Kaufusi is delivering on the defensive front.
Ioane left no doubt about what the Husky faithful can expect from him. “I’m go[ing to] give my all and make sure we can build something special for sure! They are go[ing] get a dawg out of me for sure!!!” he said. “And a message for the fans, I’m ready to give it my all and help make that jump to win a national championship! Let’s get it!”
What’s Next
Ioane has an official visit to Washington scheduled for the June 5–7 weekend, where he will join several other top 2027 targets on Montlake. With the commitment now in hand, that weekend will serve as an opportunity for Ioane to further cement his bond with the coaching staff, meet future teammates, and potentially play a role in recruiting other top prospects to Washington.
Washington’s 2027 class continues to build momentum under Fisch, and landing Ioane is a statement win for the Huskies on the recruiting trail.