Mathisen: 2021 Husky Recruiting Class Better than it Looks and Not Done Yet

In addition to quarterback Sam Huard, UW could add two more 5-stars if things break right

Posted on October 21, 2020


  By Nathan Mathisen of Dash Sports TV for SuperWest Sports

Recruiting classes are the building blocks of any college football program.

The Washington Husky 2021 recruiting class currently sits as the fourth-best in the Pac-12 and 25th-best nationally, according to 247Sports Composite. However, that could easily change as the Huskies are still in the running for two more five-star players.


2021 Pac-12 Recruiting Classes
1. Oregon
2. USC
3. Cal
4. Washington
5. Arizona State
6. Arizona
7. UCLA
8. Utah
9. Washington State
10. Colorado
11. Stanford
12. Oregon State

 

 

 

Egbuka

The Dawgs are in the top-seven schools for J.T. Tuimoloau, a defensive end at Eastside Catholic, who is ranked as the No. 2 recruit in the nation. UW is also in the top four for Emeka Egbuka, a wide receiver at Steilacoom, who is ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the nation. 

If the Huskies were to get just one of those players, their recruiting class would rank among the most successful in recent times, with five-star quarterback Sam Huard already committed.

Even without either one of those two undecided five-stars the Husky recruiting class is better than the rankings may seem. When ranked by the average rating per recruit, the Husky recruiting class is the third-best in the Conference, ahead of Cal. 

The only reason the Washington recruiting class is ranked behind Cal’s is simply because it doesn’t have as many recruits.

The Huskies currently have only 15 recruits, fifth-lowest in the Pac-12. By contrast, Oregon and USC, ranked One and Two in the Pac-12 class rankings, have 23 and 22 recruits respectively.

In short, the other Pac-12 schools simply have deeper recruiting classes.

Looking at Cal, the school directly in front of Washington, I would argue that the Huskies have a superior class, which will have a bigger impact on their school than for the Bears. 


Cal has no five-stars, five four-stars and 14 three-stars. UW has one five-star, three four-stars and 11 three-stars. 

My first clear argument as to why the Husky recruiting class will make a bigger impact is because of who headlines the Washington class: Sam Huard, a five-star quarterback, and the No. 1 pro-style QB, ranks ninth overall nationally. 

Huard

Huard only ever wanted to play at Washington, as both his dad and uncle were Husky quarterbacks in the 90s. Huard has been training to be a quarterback since he was just a little kid, and now his dreams are coming to fruition.

Quarterback is the most important position on the field. Without a quality quarterback, a team is going to struggle to win big games as college becomes more high-scoring. Defense used to be the key element in winning, but increasingly, it is offense. 

Eason

Washington’s last five-star quarterback was Jacob Eason, but he was a transfer and started for just one season. Huard will be the first five-star quarterback the Huskies have a chance to groom from his freshman year forward.

Cal’s top three recruits are a wide receiver, tight end, and another wide receiver. Again all of those positions are needed to succeed, and if these recruits play up to their potential, Cal will be better for it. But again, neither can make as large of an impact as a quarterback.

usc logoTouching on the classes of USC and Oregon, they are both very well structured. The top two players in the USC class are both quarterbacks, and the Number Two player in Oregon’s class is a quarterback as well. 

The Huskies have also done a good job of signing players at positions where they could use more depth, with their second-best recruit playing offensive guard, and their fourth-best recruit playing linebacker.


Overall the Husky recruiting class currently is ranked in the upper half of the Pac-12, but has the best pro-style quarterback as well three four-star players in positions that can always use more depth.

2021 Husky Recruiting Class
1. Sam Huard, 5-star QB
2. Owen Prentice, 4-star OG
3. Jabez Tinae, 4-star WR
4. Will Latu, 4-star ATH
5. Quentin Moor, 3-star TE
6. Dyson McCutcheon, 3-star CB
7. Voi Tunuufi, 3-star DT
8. Kuao Peihopa, 3-star DT
9. Zakhari Spears, 3-star CB
10. Maurice Heims, 3-star DE
11. Caleb Berry, 3-star RB
12. Vincent Nunley, 3-star S
13. Robert Wyrsch, 3-star OT
14. Caden Jumper, 3-star ATH
15. Siaosi Finau, 3-star DT

 

 

 

 

 

As mentioned earlier, the Huskies are also hoping that their recruiting class receives another big boost, as they remain in the running for two local five-stars. If those stay home, Washington could finish near the top in the Pac-12, and have one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.

You can watch Mathisen’s Husky Dash Sports Talk Show on Dash Sports TV, and read Mathisen’s other sports stories and columns at The Daily.




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