National Signing Day Recap: Washington Huskies Sign 18 Prospects
By Ben Renner
The Washington Huskies signed eighteen new prospects to play in Montlake next season on National Signing Day. Let’s take a look at a few key players and the recruiting class overall.
According to Scouts.com, the Washington Huskies made off with the 23rd-best recruiting class on National Signing Day 2017. As Paul Taylor reported earlier, Scouts.com singled out two players in particular who could make big differences for the team right away: Tight end Hunter Bryant and offensive tackle Henry Bainivalu.
Bryant is the second-ranked tight end in the country and Bainivalu promises to bring some size and skill up front.
Huskies coach Chris Petersen had to get through a few late defections to get his recruiting class together, but he managed to get ten four-star recruits to pledge their budding football skills to the University of Washington.
More from Emerald City Swagger
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Washington State Football: What you need to know for 2018 Alamo Bowl
- Washington Basketball: 3 takeaways from Huskies win over Sacramento St.
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
Aside from Bainivalu and Bryant, here are a few other names to watch for when spring practices start back up:
Terrell Bynum, WR, St. John Bosco (CA)
Bynum is part of a trio of wide receivers (along with Alex Cook and Ty Jones) Petersen signed to boost a depleted receiving corps, especially with John Ross departing for the NFL.
Bynum was named to the All-Trinity League as a senior and helped St. John Bosco capture the Open Division State championship in the CIF. The 6’1″ receiver was ranked 40th overall at his position by Scouts.com.
Salvon Ahmed, RB, Juanita (WA)
One of six players recruited out of Washington, Ahmed was ranked 15th in the country as an “athlete” and ran an incredible 4.32 forty-yard dash. Ahmed played both cornerback and running back for Juanita, capturing the KingCo 3A offensive MVP his senior year. In only six games this year due to injury, Ahmed ran for 1300 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also participated in the US Army All-America Bowl after his senior season.
More from Washington Huskies Football
- Washington State Football: Update on former Cougars in the NFL 12/2018
- Washington Football: Update on Huskies alumni in the NFC – Nov. 2018
- Washington Football: What you need to know for WSU 11/23
- Apple Cup: History leading up to the 2018 edition
- PAC-12 Football Power Rankings week of 11/21 – Emerald City Swagger
Elijah Molden, CB, West Linn (OR)
Molden was a first-team 6A all-state corner for West Linn his senior year and made the second-team as a running back as well. He ran for 702 yards on only 59 carries and scored ten rushing touchdowns. He also added 19 receptions for another 249 yards and six scores to go along with the three interceptions he pulled down as a defensive back.
Check out the full list of Washington Huskies National Signing Day recruits here.
At first glance, some supporters might be worried and disappointed in Petersen’s recruiting class. After taking the Huskies to their first-ever College Football Playoff last season, Petersen still got one of the best recruiting classes for the Dawgs in some time.
Next: Jake Browning's Recovery a Top Priority
While it’s disconcerting to see USC grab the fifth-best recruiting class in the country, Petersen has had success with worse recruiting at Boise State and knows how to build a winning program with the talent he has.