Hello everyone! We received such positive feedback from putting together a recruiting big board last year, that we decided to do it again. For the initial big board, we are revealing it in pieces instead of all at once like last year and how all the other versions will be displayed. We thought it would build some suspense as well as give us time to give more thorough and in depth writing for some of the top prospects that the Huskies are after for the 2027 class. Aaron and Luke each ranked a top 25 list of prospects that UW is involved with and from the average of those two lists the UWDP Big Board is formed. A total of 28 prospects made the 1.0 edition and today we will be revealing spots 28-21.
28) Matamatagi Uiagalelei
Position: DL
Height: 6’3 Weight: 240
High School: Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
Player Overview: The younger cousin of Matayo and DJ and the younger brother of Ta’ita’i, Matamatagi certainly has the genes to be a successful football player at the next level. He currently plays mostly on the edge right now, but he has the frame to grow into a three tech.
Why we rated him here: The Huskies need to add a couple of talented defensive line prospects every cycle and Uiagalelei is a player that will likely vault up recruiting boards this off-season heading into next year (as he becomes more of a force for Mater Dei). Listed at 6’3” and around 240 pounds he doesn’t have the weight yet to be an anchor on the inside but he projects to be more of a standup edge/5 tech similar to his brother. Getting a top player out of Mater Dei every cycle is also very important from a pipeline standpoint for UW. -Aaron
Current Recruiting Status: Although his brother won’t be at UW by the time that Matamatagi will be arriving on campus, coaches Fisch and Kaufusi have built a very strong relationship with the family. In addition to UW, Miami and UCLA are doing well early on for him.
27) J’Isaiah Mitchell
Position: WR
Height: 6’5 Weight: 180
High School: Puyallup (Puyallup, WA)
Player Overview: When you see a 6’5 WR, you would assume that he is a possession WR who excels primarily at contested catches and not much else. Of all the years we have watched film, we can’t recall a 6’5 WR lining up primarily in the slot. Mitchell is extremely elusive for his size and has excellent body control going up for catches as well as when he has the ball in his hands making guys miss in the open field. If he is able to put on more weight while keeping his speed and shiftiness, he will be an even bigger threat at the next level.
Why we rated him here: The staff already struck quickly with fellow in-state WR Braylon Pope and the staff has shown the want and need to add more size to the WR room. At a towering 6’5 Mitchell is very appealing. -Luke
Current Recruiting Status: Mitchell currently has three P4 offers; BYU, Cal, and UW and the Huskies have the clear lead for Mitchell right now. As long as the UW coaches want him, he will likely end up a Husky.
26) Zach Albright
Position: TE
Height: 6’5 Weight: 235
High School: Glacier Peak (Snohomish, WA)
Player Overview: A balanced TE who has a long history as a dynamic pass catcher, has taken on more blocking roles in his team’s offense this past season. He can line up both on the end of the line or out wide as a large WR to be a threat on every play. He uses more of his strength to dominate as a blocker at this stage rather than technique, but as he continues to develop and grow he will become even more of a weapon at the next level.
Why we rated him here: Before his junior season I would say he fit the perfect profile of what Paopao looks for in a pass catching TE. He put on 30 pounds between his sophomore and junior seasons and transformed from primarily as a pass catcher to a much more rounded TE. His blocking has improved as a result and looks to be quite the complete TE prospect. Given his improvement and continued growth both on the field and in the weight room he is a TE that would thrive under Paopao’s tutelage. -Luke
Current Recruiting Status: As a result of his hard work, schools like Michigan, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin have all taken notice of Albright and extended offers. At the end of the day though, UW was his first offer and if Paopao continues to make him a priority Albright should end up a Husky when it is all said and done.
25) Isaiah Leilua
Position: LB
Height: 6’0 Weight: 220
High School: Servite (Anaheim, CA)
Player Overview: Not the biggest LB, but he could be in the conversation for one of the fastest. Leilua isn’t just a downhill thumper either, he has an incredible burst of acceleration and lateral quickness at a truly elite level. He has a nose for the ball on every play and plays like his hair is on fire.
Why we rated him here: While I truly do like having big and lengthy LBs like ZRS, it is still nice to have a guy who is a heat seeking missile and will gladly do all the dirty work for you too. He is extremely twitchy and instinctual and reminds me of former Servite and current Husky LB Jacob Manu. -Luke
Current Recruiting Status: Leilua has pulled in some major offers from schools like Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State among others, but has a trio of favorites out west in Arizona State, USC, and UW. He has said that UW is the school recruiting him hardest and having former Servite LB Jacob Manu at UW is also a draw for him. It is far from a lock for the Huskies to land him, but they have certainly put their best foot forward.
24) DaJohn Yarborough
Position: IOL
Height: 6’5 Weight: 330
High School: Basha (Chandler, AZ)
Player Overview: Yarborough currently plays RT on a very talented Basha OL, but he best projects to the interior in college. He is extremely strong and powerful at the point of attack to go along with his impressive lateral mobility. Fans will appreciate that he has a nasty streak and plays until the whistle.
Why we rated him here: Yarborough has visited UW a couple of times unofficially which speaks to his interest and UW’s interest in him. As we all know finding quality lineman out west can be challenging and Yarborough has the size and mobility that Huskies coaches look for. UW will likely be in the hunt for Yarborough for a long time and is one of their top interior line prospects. -Aaron
Current Recruiting Status: The schools standing out early to Yarborough include Alabama, Arizona State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and UW. He took visits during the season to Arizona State, Minnesota, and UW giving them an advantage for him. Yarborough relocated to Arizona from Minnesota so neither of them can be discounted, but UW has certainly put themselves deep in the conversation.
23) Malakai Taufoou
Position: Safety
Height: 6’2 Weight: 200
High School: Junipero Serra (San Mateo, CA)
Player Overview: Displaying a very high football IQ, Taufoou is a very disciplined player and isn’t easily fooled by trick plays or misdirection. He has a nose for the ball that allows him to make big tackles or plays on the ball. He has the athletic ability and instincts to play either safety position at the next level.
Why we ranked him here: Taufoou was or very close to my favorite film I watched during the position previews and was easily my favorite DB I watched. His football IQ is off the charts and he is already technically sound on his breaks as well as his tackling form. A lot of times for HS safety prospects they are either good at tackling or coverage, but Taufoou is one of the rare few who is good at both already. -Luke
Current Recruiting Status: So far in his recruitment Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UW are standing out early to Taufoou. Being in the Bay Area, Cal has the proximity advantage over everyone, but after a very good weekend trip to UW during the season the Huskies are very high on his list as well.
22) Ty Johnson
Position: WR
Height: 6’2 Weight: 205
High School: Crean Lutheran (Irvine, CA)
Player Overview: Johnson is a very impressive possession receiver who excels at 50-50 balls and uses superior body control to win those contested catches. He also runs very well with the ball for his impressive size and can make defenders miss in the open field. Johnson also is an impressive athlete in track and field as well competing in the 200M dash, long jump, and high jump.
Why we rated him here: Johnson, who was offered after camping with UW is one of the top wide receivers out west in the 2027 class. The Huskies have been trying to add more size to their wide receiver room and Johnson fits the bill (he’s listed at 6’2” and around 205 pounds). Johnson should continue to be a top wide receiver on the Huskies board as they work on putting their 2026 class together. -Aaron
Current Recruiting Status: Johnson had a breakout junior season earning some big time offers including Georgia and Oregon. In a recent interview he said the schools showing the most interest included Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia, and Kansas. UW is behind at this current stage and will need to fight to get him on campus if they want a realistic shot at reeling him in.
21) Ty Tautolo
Position: Edge
Height: 6’4 Weight: 210
High School: Lake Stevens (Lake Stevens, WA)
Player Overview: If you aren’t going to be a super big edge, you better be fast and that is certainly Tautolo’s calling card. He knows how to get after the QB, but is smart and disciplined to set the edge as well. Although he is mainly a speedster, he has strong and heavy hands to disengage blockers to make plays on opposing ball carriers that dare come his direction. As he continues to add more pass rush moves, he will become even deadlier at the next level.
Why we rated him here: UW has struggled in the pass rush and the seem to be targeting mostly bigger edge players, but having a speed rush specialist is a huge benefit as well. UW’s all time sack leader Hau’oli Kikaha was a terror on the edge and specialized as a speed rush specialist. It is time to bring that kind of personnel back to the edge room to try and improve the pass rush in whatever way we can. -Luke
Current Recruiting Status: A lot of schools are beginning to increase their efforts to land Tautolo even more. Cal, Oregon, and Texas A&M among others are after the talented edge rusher. Fortunately for UW they have proximity on their side and he has made multiple trips for games over the past couple of years. It is still early, but we like where UW currently sits.