The Hotline is delighted to provide West Coast fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Phoenix-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Sept. 25 …
Husky streak brings out top recruits
Not since the Apple Cup in November 2021, when Washington State planted its plant in the Husky Stadium turf, have Washington fans left a home game following a loss.
Since then, they had a classic win over Oregon in 2023, the goal-line stand to beat USC in 2024, and avenged a national title loss to Michigan.
But this weekend brings UW’s toughest task to date: another defending national champion, which also happens to be the No. 1 team in the country: Ohio State.
While Buckeyes fans travel as well as anyone, the Huskies are among the rudest hosts in college football. Only Georgia has a longer active home winning streak than UW’s 22-game string.
Not surprisingly, Washington circled this game for its biggest recruiting weekend of the season.
While the majority of committed prospects in the class of 2026 will be there, two key uncommitted targets will also attend: David Schwerzel from nearby O’Dea High School in Seattle and Ramzak Fruean from Bethel High in Spanaway.
The Huskies were the runners-up for both Schwerzel and Fruean when they picked UCLA in June. But after the Bruins fired DeShaun Foster, the prospects re-opened their recruitments.
What’s more, seven of the top eight in-state recruits in the 2027 class are scheduled to attend, including four-star quarterback target Sione Kaho from Tacoma.
Also in the stadium for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday: The top 2027 recruit in Oregon, cornerback Josiah Molden, the younger brother of former Husky standout Elijah Molden; and the top 2027 recruit in Arizona, running back Noah Roberts, from the same high school (Basha) as current Husky quarterback Demond Williams Jr.
The top tight end in the 2028 class, Tytan McNeal, is expected, as well. He plays at Sammamish (Washington) Eastside Catholic, which had two starters, Gee Scott Jr. and JT Tuimoloau, on the Buckeyes’ national title team.
A big Saturday moment is on hand for the Huskies.
Rahsjon Duncan
Rahsjon Duncan, the fast-rising cornerback from Oakland, is part of UW’s collection of committed players expected to attend the Ohio State game.
Duncan picked the Huskies over the summer in a recruiting battle over Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA. Now, they are holding onto his pledge for dear life.
Since the season started, Duncan has added offers from Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon and Colorado.
There’s a chance he could take official visits to at least Oregon and Ohio State, along with Georgia, thanks to the unlimited visit rule.
But a Washington win on Saturday could only enhance its profile with Duncan, who is arguably UW’s most heavily pursued 2026 commit.
Ralphie running
Ralphie returned to Colorado’s Folsom Field last weekend, with the debut of Ralphie VII, the latest live mascot to represent the Buffaloes.
It might be mere coincidence that CU, which has taken its lumps in recruiting, then pulled in a pair of 2026 commits.
Related Articles
Washington’s Jedd Fisch uses NFL models to determine roster revenue sharing
College football picks: Georgia, Penn State, Washington, USC cover
Why Kenny Dillingham’s contract is a bargain for Arizona State
Holy Score: BYU-Colorado: First test for undefeated Cougars, QB Bear Bachmeier
Pac-12 bowl projections: USC to Alamo as Oregon preps for Penn State
Coach Deion Sanders has made it clear he wants to recruit the transfer portal. While high school prospects haven’t been the priority in Boulder, both pledges came from the prep ranks.
Bessemer City (Alabama) defensive lineman Elijah Ruffin was the highest-rated uncommitted recruit left in the Top247 database for 2026. But he came off the board on Tuesday when he chose the Buffs.
For good measure, Sanders went back to IMG Academy in Florida for another pledge, receiver Christian Ward.
ASU: Under the Friday night lights
With the majority of Arizona State’s in-state recruits and targets playing high school games on Friday, the Sun Devils will lean heavily into out-of-state visitors when they host TCU.
Two key recruits are coming from feeder states: California linebacker Isaiah Phelps, a well-regarded prospect from Southern California’s Pacifica High School — the same school that produced linebacker Caleb McCullough, a member of ASU’s conference championship team in 2024.
More importantly, ASU’s 2026 quarterback pledge, Jake Fette, is from Texas, and the Sun Devils are trying to make it consecutive years from the Lone Star State. Weston Nielsen, a four-star prospect in the class of 2027, will be on hand for the game.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to [email protected] or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow Huffman on the social media platform X via @BrandonHuffman and support @AveryStrongDIPG
*** Follow me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline