Fisch’s Vision: Washington’s Pitch to Recruits & Key Coaching Staff Changes
Inside Washington Huskies Recruiting: Jedd Fisch’s Pitch, Coaching Changes, and Key 2026 Targets
What’s the pitch to join the Washington Huskies? Head Coach Jedd Fisch was asked by the hosts at Good Morning Football to boil down his recruiting pitch in late January. Fisch responded:
For 15 years I coached in the NFL, I’ve sat in draft rooms, I know what they’re looking for. The biggest part of the process is to know what it looks like and know what they look for and try to develop you from your high school to your college to your NFL career. And come Be a Pro at the University of Washington.
Fisch and the Washington coaches wrapped up the January Contact Period, making this pitch to recruits across the country. Here’s the latest on the Huskies’ recruiting efforts.
Class of 2025 News: Ryken Moon Joins the Huskies; Tyler Prashun Decommits
Washington landed an addition to its 2025 recruiting class this past week with three-star running back Ryken Moon announcing his commitment to join the Huskies. Moon is the son of former Washington quarterback, and local sports legend, Warren Moon. Ryken comes from the heralded Bellevue High School football program. The Seattle Times says he will “likely be” a preferred walk-on at Washington.
Additionally, three-star punter Tyler Prashun (Carlsbad High School - Carlsbad, California) announced his de-commitment from the Huskies on Saturday. Prashun merely shared that his choice was “due to a change in circumstance” without providing any further details.
In other 2025 class news, Secondary Coach John Richardson stopped by Loyola Academy in Illinois to see UW-signee 2025 LB Donovan Robinson.
Huskies Host 2026 Commits and Recruits; UW Coaching Staff Intensifies Recruiting Efforts Across California
More, more, and more recruiting news. Washington’s coaching staff remained busy this past week, making school visits throughout Southern and Northern California. The coaches then hosted a contingent of 2026 commits and recruits at Washington on Saturday. Here are the details about Washington’s recruiting efforts this week.
Some more coaching staff shakeup . . .
We have already seen Steve Belichick, Vinnie Sunseri, and Armond Hawkins depart the Huskies coaching staff. A few more coaches are leaving. Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach Brennan Carroll is joining his dad, Pete Carroll, to serve as the offensive line coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. Linebackers Coach Robert Bala is departing for a co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach role with the Florida Gators. Finally, Director of Recruiting Josh Omura is now the Executive Director of Player Personnel for Arizona State.
Who is replacing Carroll, Bala, and Omura? Jimmie Dougherty has been elevated to offensive coordinator. Michael Switzer has been promoted to be the team’s offensive line coach. Fisch has also reportedly hired Jaleel Wadood to be Washington’s Director of High School Relations — a new title and position on the staff. He may be fulfilling the duties of both Hawkins and Omura.
There will be recruiting implications as a result of the departures. 2026 four-star OL Esun Tafa (Corner Canyon - Draper, Utah) has already announced his decommitment after Carroll’s departure. I also expect 2026 three-star Wassie Lugolobi (Eastside Catholic - Sammamish, WA) to de-commit because Bala played a pivotal role in his commitment.
Should fans be concerned with the amount of coaching turnover? I don’t think so. The departing coaches left for promotions or chances to coach with family (Belichick and Carroll). Most of the coaches that Fisch brought with him from Arizona have been retained (except for Carroll). Thus, the core of Fisch’s staff which turned Arizona around will be at Washington for year two of Fisch’s tenure.
Washington Makes the Cut for Top 2026 Recruits
A few 2026 recruits released their top school lists. Washington is in the running for the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruit in Colorado. Four-star tight end Camden Jensen has the Huskies in his top 7 with Florida, Nebraska, Texas A&M, North Carolina, UCLA, and Missouri.
Washington also made the cut for three-star 2026 LB Kenneth Goodwin (Bishop Montgomery - Los Angeles, California). Goodwin has the Huskies in his top 12 with Arizona State, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, UCLA, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, and SMU.
UW Coaches Visit Top 2026 Recruits In California, Utah, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington.
The January Contact period concluded with Washington’s coaches showing up as a contingent to demonstrate their serious interest in a few of their top 2026 targets.
California
Jedd Fisch and several other Washington coaches visited 2026 DL Simote Katoanga (JSerra Catholic - San Juan Capistrano, CA). The Huskies are also recruiting Katoanga’s teammate, 2026 three-star IOL Niniva Nicholson who has offers from Arizona State, Oregon, and others.
JSerra Catholic produced incoming UW freshman OL Jake Flores and Husky legend, WR Dante Pettis. Katoanga does not have a visit set yet to Washington but visited UCLA and USC in January.
Fisch and Brennan Carroll then traveled to San Francisco to meet with 2026 IOL Tommy Tofi at Archbishop Riordan. Tofi originally received an offer from Fisch’s staff while they were at Arizona in 2023. He is listed at 6-6, 320 lbs. Tofi plans to visit Washington in March.
New Jersey
Fisch then returned to his hometown of New Jersey to do some recruiting. At Bergen Catholic, Fisch and Running Back Coach Scottie Graham offered a scholarship to three-star 2026 RB Najee Calhoun (Oradell, New Jersey). Calhoun tells SeaTown Sports that the visit “was good” and that the coaches “were giving me some intel on their plans for the upcoming years and how we will be seeing their logo on the East Coast more often.”
The Huskies also met with 2026 four-star ATH Jermaine Kinsler (Bergen Catholic - Oradell, New Jersey) who received an offer from Washington last August. Kinsler recently visited Auburn and has visits to Michigan and Miami lined up.
Florida
The coaching staff traveled to Florida to visit some of the top recruits from IMG Academy. This list includes 2026 OL four-star G’nivre Carr and 2026 four-star DL Cameron Brickle who both received offers from the Huskies. Washington is also targeting 2026 four-star OL Keenyi Pepe. Pepe visited Washington last fall for a gameday visit.
One of Washington’s top targets from IMG Academy is 2026 three-star DB Ksani Jiles. He tells SeaTown Sports that his visit with UW’s coaches was “amazing.” Jiles shared that he will be visiting Washington on March 8th for Junior Day.
Kevin Cummings visited 2026 WR Jamar Denson at American Heritage High School in Florida. Denson tells SeaTown Sports that Cummings likes both his speed and ability to create separation. He plans to visit Washington for a spring practice in March or April. Cummings also visited and offered 2026 four-star WR Justice Fitzpatrick (St. Thomas Aquinas - Fort Lauderdale, Florida).
Washington
In the final week of the January Contact Period, Washington coaches Ryan Walters, Jason Kaufusi, and Taylor Mays, dropped by Kennedy Catholic for a high school wrestling match to see 2026 four-star Edge Derek Colman-Brusa. He and his brother, incoming 2025 OL Lowen Colman-Brusa visited Washington that same week to see morning training. Derek plans to make official visits to Oregon, Ohio State, and Washington in June according to Lars Hanson at Athlon Sports.
The same group of coaches also stopped by O’Dea to meet with 2026 three-star Edge Fameitau Siale and three-star Edge David Schwerzel. Along with this pair at O’Dea, the Huskies have also offered 2027 DL Tevita Nonu.
Washington Makes Round 2 Stops
The Huskies are pursuing 2026 three-star tight end Kai Wesley (Orem HS - Orem, Utah). Tight End Coach Jordan Paopao traveled to Utah to watch Wesley play basketball at the end of January. Wesley is a priority for the Huskies, as this was the school’s second recruiting visit during the Contact Period. Wesley tells SeaTown Sports that UW is “definitely still high on my list.”
Jordan Paopao and Brennan Carroll were in Utah for another visit with 2026 OL Esun Tafa (Corner Canyon - Draper, Utah). Tafa de-committed from Washington after Carroll’s departure was announced. Despite his de-commitment, Tafa tells SeaTown Sports he still plans on visiting Washington in the spring.
Washington’s coaches also stopped by St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California on I the last week of January to check in on 2026 UW-commit, K C.J. Wallace. This was the staff’s second visit to Bosco during the Contact Period. The Huskies were also recruiting Wallace’s teammate, 2026 WR Daniel Odom, but Odom committed to Oklahoma the next day. 2028 QB Koa Makau’ulu received an offer during the visit. Koa threw for 1,812 passing yards and 19 TDs. Arizona State, Texas Tech, and New Mexico have also offered him.
The Huskies continue to pursue 2027 QB Daniel Mielke (Ontario Christian - Ontario, California. Mielke received a visit from Washington Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Jimmie Dougherty. UW offered Mielke last May.
In-state, the Huskies coaching staff made stops at a handful of the top high school programs. Robert Bala visited Bellevue to evaluate 2026 DB Nick Norrah (Bellevue HS - Bellevue, WA). Norrah is listed at 6-3, 200 lbs. He had 5 interceptions for Bellevue in 2024. A source describe him as a "freakish" athlete.
Bala also visited Roosevelt at the end of the Contact Period. Along with 2026 UW-commit OL Ah Deong Yang, the Huskies have also offered 2026 ATH Damari King, 2027 WR Kayden Steptoe, and 2028 LB Christopher Ah-Loe.
A few other 2026 tidbits:
2026 wide receiver Cynai Thomas (Archbiship Riordan - San Francisco, California) visited Washington last weekend. Thomas has Washington in his Top 5. Thomas tells SeaTown Sports that the visit “was great” and that “the campus is as beautiful as [Husky] Stadium.”
2026 4-star QB Oscar Rios (Downey HS - Downey, California) received a visit from Washington’s offensive coaching staff to see him throw, he tells SeaTown Sports. He holds over a dozen offers and was once committed to Purdue, where current UW Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters was the head coach.
Spring Visitor List Populates
During February it is the “Dead Period.” During the Dead Period, it is not permissible for schools to make any in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes. This gives recruits time to schedule school visits before the “Quiet Period” opens on March 3.
During the Quiet Period, it is permissible for schools to make in-person recruiting contacts only on the school’s campus. No in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts or evaluations may be made during the quiet period.
Multiple Washington recruits have confirmed with SeaTown Sports their intent to visit UW during the Spring Quiet Period. Many of these recruits plan to attend Washington’s “Junior Day,” on March 8th. I also expect a handful of recruits to visit for Washington’s spring game which is set for May 2nd.
2026 four-star Edge Shaun Scott (Mater Dei - Santa Ana, CA) tells SeaTown Sports that he is planning a visit to Washington. He says that the Huskies are “big” in his recruitment.
2026 defensive lineman Robert Taylor (Parker HS - Biringham, Alabama) plans to make a visit to Washington “very soon,” he tells SeaTown Sports. He confirmed that he will be visiting Vanderbilt in March. His high school teammate is incoming 2025 defensive lineman Caleb Smith.
2026 three-star TE Landen Miree (Princeton HS - Cincinnatti, Ohio) put Washington in his top 11. He is visiting Washington on March 8th. Huskies Tight Ends Coach Jordan Paopao visited Miree twice in January. Miree appears to be a priority recruit for Washington.
2026 four-star Edge Anthony Jones (Crean Lutheran - Irvine, California) announced that he will attend Washington's Junior Day on March 8th. Jones has UW in his top 5. Running Backs Coach Scottie Graham visited Crean Lutheran in January.
2026 three-star LB Ezaya Tokio (Oceanside HS - San Diego, California) will be visiting Washington on March 8, he tells SeaTown Sports. Tokio received a visit from Washington's defensive coaching staff in the last week of January.
2026 three-star Edge Landon Barnes (Duncanville HS - Duncanville, Texas) recently received an offer from Washington. He met with Jason Kaufusi in January and will be visiting Washington on March 8 for Junior Day.
2026 three-star LB Ramzak Fruen (Bethel HS - Spanaway, Washington) recently received an offer from Washington. The coaching staff visited Fruen last month and he made a gameday visit last fall. He will ve visiting Washington on March 8 for Junior Day.
Other confirmed Junior Day visitors: 2026 DB Ksani Jiles (IMG Academy); CB CJ Lavendar (Mater Dei); 2026 WR Luc Weaver (Notre Dame HS - Sherman Oaks, CA).
2027 ATH Hendrix Hill (Isidore Newman - New Orleans, Lousiana) is looking to visit for the Spring Game (5/2). Washington offered in November. Hill also holds an offer from Baylor.
New 2026 Offers
2026 three-star CB Derrick Johnson II (Murrieta Valley HS - Murrieta, California) received an offer from Washington. His dad, Derrick Johnson, starred at cornerback for the Huskies from 2000 through 2003. In 2003, he had an interception in four straight games. Johnson II has recently received offers from Cal, Oklahoma, and other schools.
2026 three-star CB Cory Lavender (Mater Dei - Santa Ana, California) received an offer from Washington. He visited UW last spring. He has over two dozen offers including Georgia, Miami, and Penn State.
2026 TE three-star Cooper McCutchan (Archbishop Moeller - Cincinnati, Ohio) received an offer from Washington and a visit from Jordan Paopao. McCutchan tells SeaTown Sports that he and Paopao have"had some great conversations . . . the last couple weeks" and that it's "been fun . . . learning about the program."
2026 OT Collin Campbell (Williams Field - Gilbert, Arizona) received an offer from new offensive line coach Michael Switzer. He lists himself at 6-7, 270 lbs. He holds a dozen offers, including offers from Michigan State, Arizona, and others.
2026 four-star RB Carsyn Baker (Langston Hughes HS - Fairburn, Georgia) received an offer from Washington. In 2024 he had 145 carries, 1282 rushing yards, 8.8 yards per carry. He lists himself at 6-2, 200 lbs.
2026 four-star TE Mack Sutter (Dunlap HS - Dunlap, Illinois) received an offer from Washington. He is listed at 6-6, 225 lbs and holds over 40 offers.
2026 three-star TE Jack Janda (Catholic Central - Orchard Lake, Michigan) received an offer from Washington. 6-6, 230 lbs. Reportedly has over 20 offers. Michigan, Oregon, West Virginia and many others are in the mix.
2026 four-star WR Jabari Brady (Monarch - Pompano Beach, Florida) received an offer from Washington. He is ranked a top 10 2026 recruit in Florida by 247 Sports.
2026 three-star DL Dakota Dickson (Monte Vista - Oakland, California) received an offer from Washington. He holds over a dozen offers.
New 2027 Offers
2027 QB Colton Nussmeier (Marcus - Flowermound, Texas) announced that he has an offer from Washington. His father, Doug Nussmeier, served as Washington’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach during Head Coach Steve Sarkisian’s tenure at Washington. Colton’s brother, Garrett, is a quarterback at LSU.
2027 RB Elijah Kimble (Canisus - Buffalo, New York) received an offer from Washington. Kimble put together an impressive sophomore season. In 12 games he had 216 carries for 1778 yds, 33 touchdowns, and 8.2 yards per carry. He holds over a dozen offers from Michigan, Ohio State, and others.
2027 RB Tranard Roberts (IMG Academy - Bradenton, Florida) received an offer from Washington. Roberts has over a dozen offers and 247 Sports ranks him as the No. 1 2027 prospect in Florida.
2027 WR Isaiah Alvarez (Don Bosco Prep - Ramsey, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. Penn State, Rutgers, and others have offered Alvarez.
2027 Edge Chaz Gray (St. Joseph Regional - Montvale, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. Gray recently picked up offers from Duke, North Carolina, and others.
2027 LB Brayton Feister (Archbishop Hoban - Akron, Ohio) received an offer from Washington. He lists himself at 6-3, 230 lbs. He has over a dozen offers including offers from Indiana and Wisconsin.
2027 ATH Jonathan Galette (St. Joseph Regional - Montvale, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. He is listed at 5-11, 170 lbs. He recently also picked up offers from Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.
2028 QB AJ Tuivaiave- (Graham-Kapowsin - Graham, Washington) received an offer from Washington. He is listed at 6-3, 205 lbs and already has offers from Oregon, Arizona State, and Miami. He recently visited Oregon.
2028 CB Odell Simms Jr. (Millikan HS - Long Beach, California) received an offer from Washington. The freshman already has offers from Arizona, New Mexico, Sacramento State, and Utah.
2028 LB Tahj Gray (St. Joseph Regional - Montale, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. Gray is listed at 6-3 and 208 lbs. Penn State, Illinois, and others have offered.
2028 Edge Jackson Vaughn (Bergen Catholic - Oradell, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. He is listed at 6-3, 220 lbs. As a freshman, he totaled 11 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and a forced fumble. He recently participated in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl.
2028 ATH/DB Phoenix Evans (Don Bosco Prep - Ramsey, New Jersey) received an offer from Washington. Evans earned Max Prep All-American Freshman Second Team honors. He has over a dozen offers, including Michigan State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
2028 QB Koa Makau’ulu (St. John Bosco - Bellflower, California) received an offer from Washington. Koa threw for 1,812 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Arizona State, Texas Tech, and New Mexico have also offered.
Armond Hawkins Jr. Joins UNC, Taylor Mays Steps In, and Washington Eyes Top 2026 Talent
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).
Building the Future: Inside Washington's 2026 Recruiting Blitz
The Washington Huskies football coaching staff is now focusing on putting together its 2026 recruiting class. After compiling the No. 25-best ranked class in 2025, head coach Jedd Fisch will look to improve upon that ranking. The 2025 class marked the program’s highest-ranked recruiting class since 2020.
This is a *comprehensive* post! Latsgoooo! =)