Thursday, January 10, 2013
Washington well represented in ESPN 300
By Mason Kelley
Washington’s 2013 recruiting class received a boost Thursday.
No, the program didn’t land a new commitment, but some of its current prospects moved up in the final ESPN 300 player rankings.
Elijah Qualls jumped nearly 100 spots in the final ESPN 300, going from No. 212 to No. 117.
The Huskies, whose current class is rated No. 17 in the nation, have five prospects in the ESPN 300, including three who are in the ESPN 150.
Defensive lineman Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) made the biggest jump, climbing almost 100 spots from No. 212 to 117. The senior standout was impressive during the recent Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.
Like Qualls, receiver Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) also played well in the game and he jumped back into the ESPN 150, taking the last spot.
Receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow (Moreno Valley, Calif./Rancho Verde) continues to be Washington’s top-rated recruit. He jumps from No. 73 to 51.
The other two prospects in the ESPN 300 are quarterback Troy Williams (Harbor City, Calif./Narbonne) -- he has already enrolled -- who is rated No. 173, while one of the Huskies’ most recent additions, defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland), checks in at No. 267.
With all five of the Washington commits ranked in the ESPN 300 coming out of California, the program has shown it can compete for some of the state’s top prospects.
In the 2012 class, the Huskies only brought in one member of the ESPN 300 -- safety Shaq Thompson. With five ESPN 300 prospects already in the current crop of recruits and several others still considering a commitment, this group should end up being the best class coach Steve Sarkisian has brought in during his tenure as Washington’s coach.
