Huskies Early Signing Period Recruiting Primer

The Washington Huskies Football Team is riding their recent success as a program, and that is translating on the recruiting trail.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 2019 Early Signing Period which is mandated by the NCAA.  It gives recruits the option and ability to sign with their school of choice and end the recruiting process earlier.  Early Signing Period ends on December 21st.

Normal signing day each year takes place in February, and the recruiting battles can become fierce and tiresome for both coaches and recruits.  Regular Signing Day for recruits takes place on February 6, 2019.

One positive trend for Husky fans is when head coach Chris Petersen gains a commitment, it usually signifies a real partnership, with not much chance for a decommitment.

Petersen and his staff are looking for OKG’s (Our Kind Of Guy’s) all year-long, and their hard work on and off the field has yielded them 21 current commits.

With these commitments, the Husky coaching staff is hauling in some elite talent and stockpiling their pipeline of players for the future.

There is a real chance that all 21 of these commits will sign tomorrow, during the Early Signing Period, and solidify their place as future Husky Football players.

The Huskies have other players on their radar in the coming weeks, which could take them into regular Signing Day on February 6th, before they complete their entire 2019 recruiting class.

We take a look at the 21 recruits that are currently committed, with early signing period on the horizon this week…..

 

Faatui Tuitele

High School:  Saint Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Position:  Defensive Tackle

Height:  6-4

Weight:  300

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Big and projectable frame. Carries 300 pounds without losing flexibility or athleticism. Agile defensive run stuffer with strong hands and long arms. Can bully his way into the backfield. Sheds blocks well, fills gaps and fights through double teams. Quick on his feet and relentless in pursuit. Limited in pass-rush moves. Unrefined at the point of attack. Versatile, but still finding his true spot along the front. Potential to be a top-tier Power Five All-American and future early NFL Draft choice.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  40th

Position:  3

Regional:  6

State:  1

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  4

National:  46

State:  1

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  4

National:  66

State:  1

Jacob Bandes

High School:  Pittsburg (Pittsburg, California)

Position:  Defensive Tackle

Height:  6-3

Weight:  306

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Has a unique blend of size, strength, power and quickness. Among the best when it comes to ‘get off,’ and shows tremendous strength when bull rushing. Also has the quickness to beat his blocker at the snap. Can be a run stuffing defensive tackle but also a weapon as a pass-rusher, with that quickness getting him past his blocker and to the quarterback. Body could fluctuate and add some excess weight, so he’ll need to continue to trim down and add muscle. Impact Power 5 prospect with second day NFL draft potential.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  47th

Position:  6

Regional:  7

State:  5

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  8

National:  73

State:  13

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  10

National:  202

State:  32

Dylan Morris

High School:  Graham-Kapowsin (Graham, Washington)

Position:  Quarterback

Height:  6-1

Weight:  195

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  If it seems like we’ve been talking about Morris for the better part of the last five years, you’re right. We saw him as an eighth-grader and knew he had the potential to be special and he didn’t disappoint. He wound up starting every season he played for the Eagles and he led them to the state playoffs all four seasons, throwing for nearly 11,000 yards and 110 touchdowns in his time as the starter. Morris won’t impress you physically, he’s just 6’2″ and about 200 pounds, and while he can run, he’s not a guy that’ll be confused with a dual-threat quarterback. However, he’s got a big arm, he makes good decisions and his leadership skills are unquestioned. Morris chose Washington back in the spring before his junior season over offers from Nebraska, Washington State and Oregon among others. 

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  115th

Position:  6

Regional:  21

State:  1

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  6

National:  155

State:  1

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  5

National:  176

State:  1

Trent McDuffie

High School:  St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California)

Position:  Cornerback

Height:  5-10.5

Weight:  186

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Strong, powerful body and has a ton of quick twitch to him. Carries 190 pounds with ease and is among the most athletic two-way players in the country. Has tremendous speed and is an explosive player with the ability to play on either side of the ball. As a cover corner, he can run with any receiver down the field. Is explosive getting out of his breaks, and has improved his toughness and physicality. Has the ability to play running back or receiver in college. Is a playmaker with the football in his hands. Projects best as a cover corner and has a very high upside. Isn’t just a straight-line guy but has loose hips, quick feet, can cover down the field without clutching and grabbing. Has excellent ball skills and should be a threat on special teams as a punt/kick returner as well. Impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future high round NFL draft pick.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  130th

Position:  13

Regional:  24

State:  17

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  15

National:  128

State:  19

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  28

National:  N/A

State:  41

Laiatu Latu 

High School:  Jesuit (Carmichael, California)

Position:  Defensive End

Height:  6-5

Weight:  270

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Great length as an outside linebacker. Added significant weight to handle opposing offensive lineman without costing him his quickness or speed off the edge. More of a pass-rusher than a cover linebacker, but is adequate in coverage. Also plays rugby and has spent offseasons playing that, so still raw as a pure football player. Plays with an edge to his game, good motor and energy. Needs to continue to develop in-play diagnosis and taking proper angles. High ceiling. Likely redshirt candidate but multi-year Power 5 starter and projects as a second-day NFL draft pick.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  239th

Position:  28

Regional:  35

State:  26

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  6

National:  133

State:  21

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  4

National:  122

State:  20

Corey Luciano

Junior College:  Diablo Valley College (Pleasant Hill, California)

Position:  Offensive Tackle

Height:  6-4

Weight:  275

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  One thing that the Husky coaches love is a player who presents them “position versatility”. That’s exactly what Luciano (no relation to gangster Charlie “Lucky” Luciano) brings to the table with his ability to play guard or center or even move out to tackle in a pinch. He isn’t quite as long as you’d like, but he has long arms and he’s been dominant at the JUCO level.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN JC 50 Rating:  17th

Position:  1

Regional:  N/A

State:  N/A

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  4

National:  30

State:  5

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  N/A

National:  36

State:  N/A

Sama Pa’ama

High School:  Kaimuki (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Position:  Defensive Tackle

Height:  6-5

Weight:  325

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  As a defensive tackle, Pa’ama does well to shed would-be blockers with his quickness. He uses his hands extremely well, keeps a low pad level to generate a push, and is able to squeak through without much resistance. Pa’ama is that big, that strong and that agile. It’s just an unfair matchup for any player at the high school level and frankly unrealistic to expect anyone to stand in his way for the duration of a game.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  297th

Position: 13

Regional:  46

State:  4

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  25

National:  360

State:  5

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  32

National:  N/A

State:  5

Josh Calvert

High School:  Oaks Christian (West Hills, California)

Position:  Inside Linebacker

Height:  6-3

Weight:  220

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  He’s a tough kid, very physical, loves to hit and plays with a great motor. He has never been able to focus solely on linebacker and we think his game will take a major leap in college when he’s able to do so. At 6-3 and a rock solid 225 pounds, Calvert has a college body right now and looks like a prototype inside ‘backer. He’s a kid who can run, plays sideline to sideline and is a smart, highly intelligent player who should have no problems picking up a college defensive scheme. He can blitz as well as drop in to coverage but we like him best as a pure run stuffer who can take on blocks, disengage and make a play. He’s a natural leader as well, a good teammate and someone we envision as a future captain down the road.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  24

Regional:  49

State:  34

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  19

National:  320

State:  42

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  15

National:  N/A

State:  40

Cameron Williams

High School:  Bakersfield (Bakersfield, California)

Position:  Safety

Height:  5-11.5

Weight:  190

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  In the pass-happy Pac 12, you really can never have too many talented defensive backs and Williams definitely fits into that category. With his playmaking abilities, he has the potential to lead the Huskies in interceptions during his time on Montlake and that is always something the coaches love to see. Another key with Williams’ commitment is the fact that Washington took him away from Oregon, where he was originally committed, and they went head-to-head with USC to reel him in shortly before the start of his senior season. It’s never a bad thing beating the Trojans for a So Cal kid.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  27

Regional:  56

State:  40

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  37

National:  407

State:  51

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  29

National:  N/A

State:  51

Cameron Davis

High School:  Upland (Upland, California)

Position:  Running Back

Height:  6-0

Weight:  185

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Davis won’t wow you with his size, but his quickness is outstanding and his vision is uncanny. He doesn’t have elite top-end speed, but he’s got enough to pull away from defenders in the open field. He was a three-star prospect all the way up until June when he received his fourth-star after an outstanding 7v7 and camp season.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  25

Regional:  58

State:  42

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  17

National:  326

State:  43

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  15

National:  249

State:  36

Julius Buelow

High School:  Kapolei (Kapolei, Hawaii)

Position:  Offensive Tackle

Height:  6-8

Weight:  320

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Buelow is raw as a prospect, but the tools he has to work with — size, feet, length — are what every coach is looking for in an offensive line prospect. Buelow will need a couple of years in the system before he’ll push for playing time, so people need to be patient, but he’s definitely a top prospect who could be a fixture in the lineup for the Dawgs for two or three years.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  34

Regional:  67

State:  5

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  29

National:  329

State:  4

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  30

National:  N/A

State:  4

Nathaniel Kalepo

High School:  Rainier Beach (Seattle, Washington)

Position:  Offensive Tackle 

Height:  6-6

Weight:  329

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Huge, athletic and with an unbelievable upside, Kalepo is a player who really has yet to realize his full-potential. He’s a rock on the left side for Rainier Beach, but once he gets into college, the expectation is that he’ll flip to the right side and be a stud there for the Huskies after a year of seasoning.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  48

Regional:  77

State:  3

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  31

National:  353

State:  2

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  24

National:  N/A

State:  2

Troy Fautanu

High School:  Liberty (Henderson, Nevada)

Position:  Offensive Tackle

Height:  6-4

Weight:  275

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  He’s athletic and he plays with a nasty streak. His height and demeanor say guard, but with his long arms and athleticism, he could make a heck of a tackle. One of the things the Husky coaches have to love about him is his versatility and ability to play almost anywhere along the offensive line.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  50

Regional:  88

State:  3

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  23

National:  463

State:  2

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  50

National:  N/A

State:  2

Asa Turner

High School:  Carlsbad (Carlsbad, California)

Position:  Athlete

Height:  6-4

Weight:  215

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  With his size, athleticism and ball skills, Turner has to have the coaches drooling with different possibilities. He’s a smart player who always seems to be around the ball and he could easily fill the role that Ezekiel Turner played — in-the-box safety — over the last couple of seasons. It’s never a bad thing to get players with outstanding football smarts that are also long and athletic. Turner fits the bill on all three of those, so it should be fun to watch how he’s used during his career with the Dawgs.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  43

Regional:  89

State:  62

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  14

National:  297

State:  38

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  23

National:  N/A

State:  37

Taj Davis

High School:  Upland (Upland, California)

Position:  Wide Receiver

Height:  6-2

Weight:  187

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  The only receiver committed to Washington currently and he’s one of the more underrated wideouts on the West Coast. He reminds most of a bigger Dante Pettis with his effortless running style that allows him to pull away from pursuit. He’s strong and very athletic and he will be a player who could contribute early for the Dawgs if the need arises.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  74

Regional:  90

State:  63

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  65

National:  508

State:  63

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  61

National:  N/A

State:  58

Bralen Trice

High School:  Sandra Day O’Conner (Glendale, Arizona)

Position:  Defensive End

Height:  6-4

Weight:  225

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Another raw prospect who has the tools to be special, but he needs a lot of work on his technique and overall strength. At just 225 pounds, he’ll need to put on some size before he sees the field, but he’s got natural pass-rushing skills and he could be a force off the edge after a couple of years in the program.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  90

Regional:  103

State:  11

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  30

National:  453

State:  8

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  20

National:  N/A

State:  6

Noa Ngalu

High School:  Menlo-Atherton (Menlo Park, California)

Position:  Defensive Tackle

Height:  6-2

Weight:  280

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Ngalu needs some seasoning, but he’s quick as a cat and very strong. He looks a lot like 2018 signee Mosaih Nasili-Liu in that he can play almost anywhere along the line. He’s been a dominant force at the small school level he’s been playing at, so there may be a bit of a learning curve for him, but he’s athletic and very, very strong which will serve him well as a 4i/5-tech in Washington’s scheme.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  58

Regional:  113

State:  74

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  47

National:  697

State:  77

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  N/A

National:  N/A

State:  79

Miki Ah You

High School:  Kahuku (Kahuku, Hawaii)

Position:  Outside Linebacker

Height:  6-1

Weight:  220

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  When you watch his film, all you see is Ah You flying around and hitting people. He is an explosive player with a nose for the ball. He’ll likely wind up playing inside once he sets foot on campus and with his high Football I.Q., he’s got the chance to be an impactful player almost from the jump.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  86

Regional:  147

State:  9

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  50

National:  739

State:  8

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  50

National:  N/A

State:  7

Kamren Fabiculanan

High School:  Westlake (Westlake Village, California)

Position:  Cornerback

Height:  6-1

Weight:  175

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Normally when we see guys in person, they look smaller than their listed height/weight, but that wasn’t the case with Fabiculanan. He’s long and athletic, but he’s built really well, carrying a good weight already. He’s fearless in coverage and he reads the ball well when playing “off” coverage. He’s smart and he has the ability to make plays when the ball is in the air.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  96

Regional:  156

State:  101

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  39

National:  364

State:  46

Rivals

Stars Rating:  4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  27

National:  N/A

State:  38

Alphonzo Tuputala

High School:  Federal Way (Federal Way, Washington)

Position:  Inside Linebacker

Height:  6-3

Weight:  240

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  A big hitter with outstanding instincts, Tuputala is a lunchpail type who just always seems to be around the ball. Washington appears to have him pegged as a BUCK linebacker once he arrives, but with his Football I.Q. and size, he could play almost any of the linebacker spots.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position:  29

Regional:  161

State:  9

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  51

National:  1135

State:  9

Rivals

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  N/A

National:  N/A

State:  8

Timothy Horn

High School:  Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Position:  Kicker

Height:  6-3

Weight:  200

Evaluation (247Sports/Scout):  Washington doesn’t like using scholarships on kickers, but when one as talented as Horn comes along, you do what you need to do to get him in the boat. Horn has a strong leg and the ability to punt or place kick. Washington has him slated to be a place kicker once he arrives and he’ll battle the likes of Van Soderberg, Peyton Henry and Dylan Williams for the starting job.

ESPN

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

ESPN 300 Rating:  N/A

Position: 13

Regional:  172

State:  12

247Sports/Scout

Stars Rating:  3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Position:  5

National:  1836

State:  17

Rivals

Stars Rating:  2 ⭐️⭐️

Position:  N/A

National:  N/A

State:  N/A