Armond Hawkins Jr. Joins UNC, Taylor Mays Steps In, and Washington Eyes Top 2026 Talent
Armond Hawkins Jr. departs Washington for UNC, impacting recruiting efforts, while Taylor Mays boosts local ties and Huskies target elite 2026 prospects across the West.
The college football recruiting Contact Period continued last week. There was a recruiting dead period between January 13-15, but off-campus recruiting activity for the Washington Huskies picked up immediately on January 16 (Thursday) and 17 (Friday).
Here are the details from the recruiting impact of recent coaching changes and Washington’s coaching staff's latest recruiting efforts.
Ace recruiter Armond Hawkins Jr. Takes UNC Job, Reruits May Follow
Assistant Director of Recruiting and Defensive Analyst, Armond “Mondo” Hawkins Jr. announced his departure from the Huskies on last Tuesday. Hawkins joined the coaching staff of former Washington Defensive Coordinator Steve Belichick and his dad, Bill, at the University of North Carolina. Hawkins will serve as North Carolina’s cornerbacks coach. Hawkins was a key piece to Washington’s recruiting efforts since head coach Jedd Fisch’s tenure began on Montlake.
Hawkins has already started recruiting several of the 2026 prospects he was targeting as a member of Washington’s staff. On Sunday, three-star CB Marcellous Ryan (Junipero Serra - CA) announced his commitment to UNC. Ryan had recently received a visit from Washington cornerbacks coach John Richardson and was on the Huskies’ radar since last summer.
Last week, UNC also extended offers to 2026 DB Justin Lewis (Rancho Cucamonga - CA), 2026 RB Deshonne Redeaux (Oaks Christian - CA), and 2026 ATH Jett Washington (Bishop Gorman - NV). All three recruits, along with others, held offers from Washington before Hawkins’ move to UNC. Lewis tells SeaTown Sports that he remains interested in Washington despite Hawkins’ move to UNC. Finally, on Saturday, Washington transfer CB Thaddeus Dixon announced his commitment to UNC. Washington will now have to fend off a rejuvenated UNC football program.
New Safeties Coach Taylor Mays’ Potential Recruiting Impact at Washington
Though Hawkins’ departure may hurt Washington on the recruiting trail, that harm may be mitigated by the arrival of new Safeties Coach Taylor Mays. Mays is a familiar name in the Seattle area. He was one of Seattle's most-heralded high school recruits, starring at football powerhouse O’Dea High School. He then played for Pete Carroll at USC from 2006 through 2009. After a six-year NFL career, Mays began his coaching career with the Trojans as a Defensive Analyst in 2022.
Mays will likely have an instant impact on the recruiting trail. Washington has prioritized a pair of 2026 recruits from O’Dea, four-star Edge Fameitau Siale and three-star Edge David Schwerzel. Along with Mays’ status as an O’Dea alum, his father Stafford (a former nine-year NFL defensive lineman), is an assistant coach at O’Dea. Mays will be a key factor in whether Washington can keep these two recruits in-state and will also be key in reinforcing and cementing a recruiting pipeline from O’Dea to Washington.
Top Targets in Utah Emerge
It is a good sign for a recruit for a school’s coaches to take the time and effort to travel and meet with you. It’s an even better sign for a school to visit you repeatedly. Last week, Head Coach Jedd Fisch’s staff made a second round of visits to a pair of 2026 recruits in Utah: four-star ATH Salesi Moa (Fremont - Ogden, UT) and four-star DL Bott Mulitalo (Lone Peak - American Fork, UT).

On Thursday, Jedd Fisch visited Salesi Moa. Fisch’s visit with Moa came after Washington Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters and Defensive Line Coach Jason Kaufusi met with Moa last week. 247 Sports ranks Moa as the No. 1 2026 recruit in Utah. “His upside might be highest at safety where he can roam the secondary as well as play in the box and be physical in the run game,” says a scouting report on Moa from last spring.
Washington also has its eyes on four-star Oregon-commit Bott Mulitalo. After receiving a visit from Walters and Kaufusi in the first week of the Contact Period, Mulitalo met with Fisch last Thursday. Mulitalo committed to the Ducks over the Huskies and BYU last December, but Washington remains in pursuit. The staff’s priority is likely getting Mulitalo up to Seattle for a spring visit.
2026 three-star OT Mataalii Benjamin (Skyridge - Lehi, UT) tells SeaTown Sports that Brennan Carroll visited him recently. Benjamin says “UW is still one of the top schools for me . . . I like what Coach Carroll is doing up at Washington.” He received an offer from Washington last May.
2026 three-star TE Kai Wesley (Orem HS - Orem, UT) tells SeaTown Sports that Washington is “definitely still high on my list.” He and Washington Tight Ends Coach Jordan Paopao are “staying in touch … on a regular basis.” Washington coaches visited him during the first week of the Contact Period.
Building the Future: Inside Washington's 2026 Recruiting Blitz
Carroll and Bala Hit the Recruiting Trail in Hawaii
Washington Offensive Coordinator Brennan Carroll and Washington Linebackers Coach Robert Bala made stops around Hawaii last week.

2026 four-star OT Malaki Lee (Kamehameha HS - Honolulu, HI) received an in-home visit from Brennan Carroll on Thursday night. Washington offered Lee last spring. Lee holds over a dozen offers and is being recruited by the likes of Michigan, Alabama, and several others. He is listed at 6-7, 310 lbs.
2026 three-star IOL Kamo'i Huihui-White (St. Louis HS - Honolulu, HI) also received a visit from Brennan Carroll this week. Washington offered Huihui-White last May. He is listed at 6-5, 305 lbs.
Finally, Brennan Carroll and Robert Bala also visited 2026 three-star WR Jordan Nunuha (St. Louis HS - Honolulu, HI). Washington offered Nunuha last June. San Diego St., Oregon, Nevada, and Hawaii have also offered.
Other Updates on Washington’s 2026 Recruiting Efforts
Along with the recruiting visits summarized in last week’s update (see story link above), here are a few other tidbits about the first week:
2026 three-star DL Malik Brooks (St. Pius X-St. Matthias -CA - Downey, CA) remains a top target for Washington. Brooks tells SeaTown Sports that Jason Kaufusi visited him last week. Brooks is listed at 6-4, 312 lbs.
Washington continues to recruit three-star 2026 QB Ryan Hopkins (JSerra - San Juan Capistrano, CA). He tells SeaTown Sports that Washington Quarterbacks Coach Jimmie Dougherty visited him at JSerra last week. Hopkins holds offers from Michigan State, Missouri, Washington, and Wisconsin.
2026 TE Camden Jensen (Heritage HS - Colo.) remains a top target for Washington. Jensen tells SeaTown Sports that Jordan Paopao visited him earlier this month. Jensen is the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruit in Colorado according to 247 Sports. Washington offered him last June.
Robert Bala visited Bellevue earlier this month. Two 2026 recruits to watch from Bellevue: RB Max Jones (1,861 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns) and DB AJ Morton (3 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 15 tackles).
Robert Bala, Jordan Paopao, and Ryan Walters were recruiting at Servite High School in Anaheim, California earlier this month. Two 2026 prospects to watch: TE Luke Sorensen and Center Jaden Rasic.
And here is the rest of last week’s recruiting news:
Four-star TCU-commit 2026 WR Brock Boyd (Southlake Carroll - Southlake, TX) received a visit from Washington Wide Receivers Coach Kevin Cummings on Thursday. Boyd caught 111 passes for 1,875 yards and 19 touchdowns in his junior season. He committed to TCU last July.
Washington offered 2026 WR Corey Barber (Spain Park HS - Birmingham, AL). Barber tells SeaTown Sports that he plans to visit UW “soon” and that he is “ready to explore the whole campus and can't wait to get down and meet everyone!” UAB and Oregon have also offered Barber who is listed at 6-1, 190 lbs.
Jordan Paopao made few stops in Ohio. 2026 Three-star TE Landen Miree (Princeton HS - Cincinnati, OH) received a visit and an offer from Paopao. 2026 three-star TE PJ MacFarlane (Lakota East - Middletown, OH) also received a visit and offer from Paopao.
Jordan Paopao and 2026 TE Landen Miree; Photo Credit (@LandenMiree9) Washington offered 2026 DL three-star Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais (Cherry Creek HS - Englewood, CO.). Umu-Cais holds over 20 offers and stands at 6-3, 307 lbs. He is the No. 2 ranked 2026 recruit from Colorado according to 247 Sports.
Four-star 2026 DL Vodney Cleveland (Parker - Birmingham, AL) received an offer from Washington on Friday. Cleveland is at 6-3, 305 lbs andis a top 50 overall recruit in his class per 247 Sprots. He decommitted from Alabama in mid-December.
2026 WR Mason James (Norman North - Norman, OK) received a visit from Kevin Cummings on Friday. Washington offered James last March. At Norman North, James collected 53 receptions for 1,233 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12 games in 2024.
2026 WR Mason James (left) and Kevin Cummings (right); Photo Credit: (@MasonJames_1) 2026 DL Yahya Gaad (South Gibson - Medina, TN) received a visit from Jason Kaufusi on Thursday. Ole Miss, Georgia, and Florida State have also offered Gaad.
Jedd Fisch and Director of Recruiting Josh Omura visited national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. Three-star QB Maika Eugenio and fellow 2026 three-star WR Kaina Watson both continue to garner interest from Washington.
Sources tell SeaTown Sports that Washington coaches will be recruiting in Northern and Southern California this week. Here are three players they will likely be making a priority:
2026 three-star WR Judge Nash (Archbishop Riordan - San Francisco, CA) tells SeaTown Sports that he has Washington “high” on his list of schools and that “Coach [Kevin Cummings] and the entire staff are all great.” Incoming 2025 WR Chris Lawson played with Nash at Riordan.
2026 four-star IOL Tommy Tofi (Archbishop Riordan - San Francisco, CA) also remains a top target for Washington. Brennan Carroll visited Tofi last week. Tofi was offered by Kalen DeBoer’s staff and Fisch and Carroll offered Tofi while they were at Arizona.
2026 four-star Edge Shaun Scott (Mater Dei - Santa Ana, CA) tells SeaTown Sports that Washington is “big” in his recruitment. Scott is ranked as a top 25 2026 recruit in California per 247 Sports and holds over 20 offers.
Huskies Extend Offers to Trio of 2027 and 2028 Quarterbacks
2027 QB Chance Thomas (Western HS - Anaheim, CA) received an offer from Washington. Thomas also holds offers from Arizona State, Arizona, and San Diego St. In seven games last season, Thomas threw for 1,736 yards and 17 TDs. Thomas’ coach, Dan Davidson tells SeaTown Sports that Thomas “has exceptional arm talent with [an] ability to make plays with his legs.”
2028 QB Treyvone Towns Jr. (Oaks Christian - Westlake Village, CA) received an offer from the Huskies. Towns holds offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Toledo, and Virginia Tech. Of note, Towns is the nephew of former Washington linebacker Lester Towns, who starred for the Huskies from 1996 to 1999. Trevyone’s father, Treyvone Sr. was a defensive end for Oregon in the late 90’s as well. Towns Jr. raved about his “legendary” football legacy to SeaTown Sports and said he “can’t wait to get up to the Northwest.”
2028 QB Ayden Edwards (Tustin HS - Tustin, CA) received an offer from Washington last Wednesday. The freshman quarterback also has offers from UNL, Toledo, and Oregon State. Edwards made a gameday visit to Washington last November during the USC game.
Other 2027 and 2028 Offers Announced This Week…
2027 DL Robert Taylor III (Parker - Birmingham, Alabama) received an offer from Washington last Friday. Taylor tells SeaTown Sports that he is "excited" to learn more about UW's "academics and the background of the coaching staff." Taylor says he plans to visit UW "very soon."
2028 WR Dedrick Kimbrough (Thompson HS - Alabaster, AL) received an early offer from Washington last Thursday. He was named to the MaxPreps Freshman All-American Second Team last week. In six games, he hauled in 390 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He tells SeaTown Sports that he is “beyond grateful to Washington for giving me a shot!”
Washington offered 2027 four-star TE D’Angelo White (Villa Angela-St.Joseph - Cleveland, OH). White holds over a dozen offers.
Four-star 2027 CB Hayden Stepp (Bishop Gorman - Las Vegas, NV) received an offer from Washington. Stepp is being recruited by Washington Cornerbacks coach John Richardson.
Four-star 2027 RB Ezavier Crowell (Jackson HS - Jackson, AL) received an offer from Washington last Thursday. He holds over two dozen offers. His sophomore stat line is incredible: 1968 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns.
Washington offered 2027 WR Darion Moseley (Thompson HS - Alabama). Moseley also holds an offer from UAB.