The Huskies just added another intriguing piece to their defensive puzzle, securing a commitment from three-star linebacker Ezaya Tokio - a high-upside prospect out of Oceanside High School in California. Tokio chose Washington over a solid list of offers that included Colorado, Cal, UCLA, and Arizona State, giving the Dawgs another athletic, aggressive presence in the linebacker room.
Tokio’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. After starting his high school career at St.
Augustine in San Diego, he transferred to Oceanside and wasted no time making his presence felt. Despite playing just four games in 2024, he racked up 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks - a stat line that screams disruption.
He followed that up with a strong 2025 campaign, posting 76 tackles, 11 TFLs, 8 sacks, plus an interception, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. That kind of production, across multiple schools and systems, speaks to a player who doesn’t just adapt - he dominates.
At 6’4”, 220 pounds, Tokio brings a long, athletic frame with room to grow. He projects primarily as an outside linebacker but has the tools to slide down to EDGE in certain packages.
According to scouting evaluations, he plays with a physical edge and a relentless motor - the kind of guy who doesn’t just shed blocks, he runs through them. That kind of nastiness up front is exactly what Washington’s defense has been missing, especially when it comes to generating consistent pressure.
The Huskies haven’t exactly been known for lighting up the stat sheet when it comes to sacks or backfield disruption in recent seasons. Tokio’s arrival won’t fix that overnight, but he adds a skill set that could eventually change the tone of this front seven. He’s explosive off the snap, has a nose for the football, and plays with a chip on his shoulder - all traits that translate well to the next level, even if there’s a development curve ahead.
Now, let’s talk fit. The linebacker room in Seattle is already loaded with talent.
Jonathan Epperson, Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, Deven Bryant, Xe’Ree Alexander, and Buddah Al-Uqdah are all ahead of him on the depth chart - at least for now. But this staff has shown a willingness to rotate and reward production, and if Tokio can flash in practice the way he did on Friday nights, he could force his way into the mix sooner than expected.
There’s also the added wrinkle that he’s no stranger to playing both sides of the ball. He caught six passes for two touchdowns as a receiver - though it's unlikely that versatility will be tapped into at the college level. Still, it speaks to his athleticism and football IQ.
Bottom line: Ezaya Tokio is a high-upside addition with a proven track record of production, physicality, and playmaking. He may not be an instant starter, but he’s got the tools to become a foundational piece of this defense down the road. And if Washington can develop him the right way, he could be the kind of player who helps reshape the identity of this front seven.