Washington Is Making Montlake A Real Battleground For Elite Recruits

The Huskies are hosting a star-studded lineup of future talents as they kick off their strategic push for the 2028 recruiting class during the Apple Cup weekend.

A big recruiting weekend is taking shape in Montlake, and Washington is set to host a heavy dose of 2028 talent as the Huskies keep building out a class that already has most of 2027 in place.

The headliner is probably 5-star edge Jalanie George of Desert Edge HS in Arizona, a 6-foot-5, around-240-pound defender rated by On3 as the No. 2 edge in the country. George is one of Washington’s biggest 2028 priorities, and the Huskies look to be in strong shape with him.

There’s also a built-in connection: his teammates Zerek Sidney and Blake Roskopf are already committed in the 2027 class. Last season, George finished with 16 TFL’s and 6.5 sacks.

George won’t be the only Arizona prospect on campus. He’s expected to be joined by 4-star cornerback Nekhi Lambeth, who the composite rankings list as the 15th-best cornerback nationally.

Lambeth, a 6-foot, around-170-pound defensive back, picked up an offer from Washington in May and brings a national offer sheet with him. He’s already established himself as one of the top defensive backs in Arizona, and the Huskies have stayed aggressive in that state.

Washington is also bringing in one of its top quarterback targets from Hawaii in 4-star Hunter Fujikawa of Mililani HS. Ranked as the 18th-best quarterback in the composite rankings, Fujikawa is listed at 6-foot-2 and around 200 pounds.

He has offers from around the country, but his attention is centered on Arizona, ASU, Ole Miss, UCLA, and UW. The trip to the mainland gives the Huskies another shot to make their case.

The Midwest group is loaded too. From Michigan, Washington will host 5-star offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes of Cass Technical HS, along with his teammate, 3-star wide receiver Mylan Griggs.

Also making the trip are 3-star athlete Tyler Trusel of Brother Rice HS and 3-star interior offensive lineman Jordan Henry of Martin Luther King HS. Wilkes stands out in that group as the top-rated prospect in Michigan, and it’s another sign that Washington’s recruiting footprint is stretching well beyond the West Coast.

Georgia is sending two more defensive line targets to Montlake in 3-star defensive lineman Tory Clark of Woodward Academy and Isaac Kalubi Lukuni. Both are high-end 3-star recruits with offers from around the country, including Georgia. Washington has been building relationships in the Peach State and is trying to turn that work into real momentum in the 2028 class.

The in-state group is just as important. Washington will host 4-star tight end Tytan McNeal of Eastside Catholic and his teammate, 4-star defensive lineman Aedyn Havili, who are the top two rated players in Washington.

The Huskies have done well in-state recently and are trying to keep that going with the 2028 class. Also visiting are 3-star offensive lineman Kyler Harden of O’Dea HS, 3-star athlete Kaicen Carter of Federal Way HS, and 3-star quarterback AJ Tuivaiave of Graham-Kapowsin HS.

Oregon is sending its top 2028 tight end as well in 4-star Presley Delance of Lake Oswego HS. Washington is battling Oregon for both Delance and McNeal, and the two recruitments could take different paths. The Delance fight looks like a direct rivalry battle, while McNeal is also drawing attention from national programs.

From Idaho, the Huskies are hosting another major target in 4-star composite wide receiver Quincey Clay of Capital HS, the top 2028 prospect in the state. Clay already holds offers from Minnesota, Utah, and Boise State. Washington hasn’t had much recent success in Idaho, but it has targeted Clay and remains firmly in the mix.

For Washington, weekends like this matter. Getting top prospects on campus can pay off now and later, and this group gives the Huskies a chance to keep momentum rolling in both recruiting and on the field.

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The issue, Fisch said afterward, was bigger than one sequence. He pointed to the offenses overall lack of rhythm, including both the running game and the passing accuracy, as the Huskies pieced together just 78 rushing yards in the half before quarterback Demond Williams Jr. supplied the games lone rushing touchdown. For a Washington team trying to settle in and finish drives cleanly, the first-half sloppiness left Fisch with plenty to sort through. [Read more 🡒]