Washington just landed a major piece of its future special teams puzzle, securing a commitment from C.J. Wallace - one of the top kicking prospects in the 2026 class - out of national powerhouse St.
John Bosco (Bellflower, CA). If you're looking for reliability, polish, and a little bit of swagger at the kicker position, Wallace checks every box.
Rated the No. 4 kicker in the country by top evaluator Chris Sailer and earning a 4.5-star grade, Wallace comes in with the kind of pedigree that suggests he’s not just a scholarship filler - he’s a legitimate contender to start from day one at the FBS level. That kind of rating isn’t handed out lightly, and it speaks to both the technical side of his game and his ability to perform under pressure.
Wallace made his official visit to Seattle this past spring, and it didn’t take long for him to make his decision. For Washington, this is more than just a solid early get - it’s a strategic move that locks in a critical piece for the 2026 class early in the cycle. In a recruiting world where timing can make or break a class, having a specialist like Wallace locked in gives the Huskies a head start on building continuity in their special teams unit.
Right now, Washington is in good hands with veteran Grady Gross holding down the kicking duties. But with Gross set to move on after the 2025 season, the timing of Wallace’s arrival couldn’t be better. He’ll walk into a depth chart that opens up just as he’s stepping on campus - a tailor-made opportunity for a freshman with the right tools to take the reins.
And Wallace has those tools. His mechanics are smooth, his ball flight consistent, and his range already at a level that translates to the college game.
Add in his experience playing in high-stakes environments at Bosco - a program known for its playoff runs and national spotlight - and you’ve got a kicker who’s already been tested under pressure. Whether it’s flipping field position or hitting clutch kicks late in games, Wallace has shown he can handle the moment.
That kind of mental toughness is exactly what Washington’s special teams staff has been building toward. Under this regime, the emphasis has been on long-term consistency and operational efficiency - and Wallace fits right into that blueprint.
Bottom line: Washington didn’t just land a kicker - they secured a future cornerstone for their special teams unit. Wallace becomes one of the first commitments in the 2026 class, and he does so with the kind of upside that could make him a game-changer down the line.