Washington’s season opener against Washington State is about more than the Apple Cup scoreboard.
When the Huskies kick off at 1 p.m. PT on Sunday at Husky Stadium, they’ll be doing it in front of a crowd that matters for both the immediate future and the longer view of the program. Washington comes in ranked 17th in the nation in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, and a strong start to the three-game nonconference slate would help keep those expectations intact while also giving the Huskies a path toward the College Football Playoff if they handle Big Ten play well.
Just as important, the game gives Washington a chance to put its best foot forward with a deep group of recruiting targets.
According to Rivals.com reporter Brandon Huffman and a list published by SeaTown Sports’ Kevin Cacabelos, the Huskies are expected to host well over a dozen four- and five-star prospects from the Midwest, the south and eastern states. A number of those visitors are already committed members of the Class of 2027 or Class of 2028 players projected to end up at UW, but the group also includes several blue-chip and high-end 2028 recruits.
One of the biggest names headed to Montlake is Antijuan Wilkes Jr., the 13th-ranked player in the country in the Class of 2028, the top offensive tackle in that class and the top player in Michigan, according to the 247Sports composite.
Wilkes plays at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, a program that has produced multiple Washington targets. One of his teammates will also be in attendance for the Apple Cup.
Among the other visitors is Mylan Griggs, a four-star wide receiver and another Cass Technical prospect. Griggs has been on Washington’s board early in his class and is ranked by the 247Sports composite as the 270th-best player overall, the 40th-best wide receiver and the seventh-best player in Michigan.
Another Michigan receiver still on Washington’s radar is Deandre Bidden.
The Huskies are also set to welcome Dobbins, a 6-foot, 180-pound cornerback from Springfield High School in Springfield, Tenn. He is ranked as the 19th-best overall player in the class, the third-best cornerback and the best player in Tennessee, per the 247Sports Composite.
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For the Huskies, the timing matters as much as the opponent. A strong showing in a game like this can leave an impression on elite recruits, especially one weighing multiple schools and looking closely at how a program handles pressure atmospheres. Washington has plenty to sell, but the result on the field could shape how much momentum it carries with McNeal once the visits keep rolling. [Read more 🡒]