As the dust settles from the early signing period for the 2026 recruiting class, the Washington Huskies are already shifting gears. While February still holds a few key decisions for the current cycle, much of the attention inside the football offices on Montlake has turned toward the future - specifically, the 2027 class. The staff’s recruiting board is starting to take shape, and while it will continue to evolve over the coming months, some early priorities are already emerging.
Today, we take a closer look at the interior defensive linemen who just wrapped up their junior seasons - a critical position group for any defense, and one where the Huskies are clearly being strategic in how they build their board.
Top Targets on Washington’s Radar
Jon Ioane - Tustin HS (Tustin, CA)
Jon Ioane is the kind of prospect who jumps off the tape. At 6-foot-plus and boasting serious strength at the point of attack, Ioane is a versatile athlete who could line up on either side of the ball. But most college programs - Washington included - are eyeing him as a future force in the middle of a defensive front.
What makes Ioane such a compelling fit for the Huskies is his ability to anchor against the run. He’s naturally powerful, holds his ground well, and shows the kind of leverage and hand placement that coaches love in a nose tackle or shade technique. That’s the kind of interior presence that can control the line of scrimmage and free up linebackers to make plays.
Recruiting-wise, Ioane is already one of the more sought-after linemen in the 2027 class. He holds offers from nearly 30 programs, including national names like Miami, Oregon, Texas A&M, USC, Notre Dame, and UCLA. Washington has been in the mix for a while now and got him on campus for a visit - a key early step in building a relationship.
Recently, Ioane narrowed his list to 10 schools, and the Huskies made the cut alongside Oregon, Arizona State, Miami, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, and Utah. That’s a loaded group, but Washington isn’t backing down.
The staff is pushing to get him back to Montlake for another visit, and while it’s still early in the process, they’re very much in the race here. Expect this one to go the distance.
Tevita Nonu - O'Dea HS (Seattle, WA)
When it comes to in-state talent, few names carry as much weight in the 2027 class as Tevita Nonu. The O'Dea standout is not only the top-rated prospect in Washington - he’s also one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the region.
Nonu’s junior season had its share of ups and downs, mostly due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him early in the year. But once he got back on the field, he reminded everyone why he’s such a coveted recruit.
He’s explosive off the snap, plays with heavy hands, and is nearly impossible to block one-on-one. He’s the kind of interior lineman who can collapse a pocket and wreck a play before it starts - a rare trait at the high school level.
Washington has been aggressive in their pursuit of Nonu, and the interest is clearly mutual. He made multiple trips to Montlake this fall, attending games against Colorado State and Ohio State, and even made the trip to Pullman to watch the Huskies take down Washington State in the Apple Cup.
Right now, Washington is in a strong position with Nonu. Arizona State, Cal, Arizona, and Penn State are also in the picture, but the Huskies have the home-field advantage - both literally and figuratively. With his ties to the area and the strong relationship being built with the coaching staff, Washington is in a great spot to keep one of the state’s best prospects close to home.
Looking Ahead
Washington’s staff is clearly being intentional with their early evaluations, especially along the defensive line. The interior is where games are often won or lost, and landing players like Ioane and Nonu would go a long way toward building the kind of physical, disruptive front that can thrive in the Big Ten.
It’s early in the 2027 cycle, but the groundwork is being laid right now. The Huskies are doing what successful programs do - identifying top-tier talent early, building strong relationships, and making Montlake a destination for elite prospects. Keep an eye on these names as we move into the spring and summer camp circuits, because Washington is setting the tone early - and they’re not slowing down.