The Washington Huskies are once again in the mix for a top-tier recruit, this time catching the eye of four-star safety Gavin Williams from Damien High School in La Verne, California. As recruiting battles heat up, Williams has narrowed his choices down to five schools, setting up official visits with each.
The schools vying for his commitment are Washington, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, UCLA, and USC. Williams has planned visits to UCLA on May 15, Washington on May 29, Texas A&M on June 5, USC on June 12, and Notre Dame on June 19. There's also a possibility that Michigan could join the fray, as Williams mentioned a planned spring visit to the Wolverines.
Notre Dame has made a strong impression on him so far, and he's no stranger to USC, having visited the campus more than any other. However, it's the Huskies' coaching staff that seems to have struck a chord with him.
Williams expressed admiration for Washington's safeties coach Taylor Mays and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. Reflecting on his visit for the Purdue game, he noted how much he enjoyed the atmosphere and is eager to find the best overall fit, considering not just the football program but also the culture and environment.
Despite the Huskies being listed last among his current favorites with an 8.1% chance according to Rivals' prediction odds, the recruitment game is far from over. USC leads the pack with a 32.1% chance, followed by UCLA, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame.
Williams is ranked as the 90th-best player nationally in the 2027 class, the eighth-best safety, and the 11th-best player in California, according to 247Sports. Meanwhile, Washington's recruiting class is shaping up well, with six commitments already, including four-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney and several promising three-star prospects. This has earned them the 12th spot in the national recruiting rankings.
As the recruiting season unfolds, the Huskies are poised to make their case, hoping to add Williams to their impressive roster for the class of '27.