Washington Huskies: Joe Mathis
After all of the camps, recruiting trips, in home visits and official visits, it is time to fire up the fax machines.
Washington will officially unveil its 2013 recruiting class Wednesday, a group that features five members of the ESPN 300.
Here are five things to think about as the Huskies wait for the faxes to flow in.
Washington will officially unveil its 2013 recruiting class Wednesday, a group that features five members of the ESPN 300.
Here are five things to think about as the Huskies wait for the faxes to flow in.
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Future UW teammates take trip together 
February, 1, 2013
Feb 1
1:11
PM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Jermaine Kelly (Los Angeles/Salesian) wanted to make his last trip his best trip.
So the 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback decided to spend the weekend before signing day at Washington on an unofficial visit.
The three-star standout, who committed to the Huskies in January, will be joined by an impressive list of commits in Seattle this weekend.
So the 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback decided to spend the weekend before signing day at Washington on an unofficial visit.
The three-star standout, who committed to the Huskies in January, will be joined by an impressive list of commits in Seattle this weekend.
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One of the earliest prospects to commit to Washington’s 2013 class, Jaimie Bryant (Tumwater, Wash./Tumwater) kept a low profile throughout the recruiting process.
The 6-foot-5, 261-pound defensive tackle gave the Huskies a verbal commitment in April 2011 and, when asked about that decision before his senior season, Bryant cited the excitement surrounding the program’s defensive coaches.
“The defensive coaches are always pumped, always jacked, always excited,” Bryant said.
The 6-foot-5, 261-pound defensive tackle gave the Huskies a verbal commitment in April 2011 and, when asked about that decision before his senior season, Bryant cited the excitement surrounding the program’s defensive coaches.
“The defensive coaches are always pumped, always jacked, always excited,” Bryant said.
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Team needs: For the 2013 recruiting class, the Huskies tried to add talent throughout their roster. They had specific needs but wanted to bolster strengths as well.
Some of the key areas the Huskies identified as positions to pursue included receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive line. With six defensive linemen committed and three receivers heading to Seattle next season, Washington has stockpiled prospects at each position.
Help is on the way: Washington is pursuing a pass rush. The Huskies have a star in Danny Shelton, but ace recruiter Tosh Lupoi made it a point to bring in top-tier talent along the program’s defensive line.
Some of the key areas the Huskies identified as positions to pursue included receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive line. With six defensive linemen committed and three receivers heading to Seattle next season, Washington has stockpiled prospects at each position.
Help is on the way: Washington is pursuing a pass rush. The Huskies have a star in Danny Shelton, but ace recruiter Tosh Lupoi made it a point to bring in top-tier talent along the program’s defensive line.
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Sometimes a prospect’s commitment says a lot about the direction of a program.
When Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) committed to Washington during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl -- he picked the Huskies over USC, UCLA and Alabama -- it showed the program is still on track toward becoming prominent on a national level.
It showed Washington can compete for the top prospects in California. And, it showed that, after taking a look around, Mathis couldn’t find a program that provided a better fit than the Huskies.
When Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) committed to Washington during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl -- he picked the Huskies over USC, UCLA and Alabama -- it showed the program is still on track toward becoming prominent on a national level.
It showed Washington can compete for the top prospects in California. And, it showed that, after taking a look around, Mathis couldn’t find a program that provided a better fit than the Huskies.
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Washington well represented in ESPN 300
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
11:16
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
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.
No, the program didn’t land a new commitment, but some of its current prospects moved up in the final ESPN 300 player rankings.
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Washington’s weekend recruiting haul spilled into Monday when Jermaine Kelly (Los Angeles/Salesian) gave the Huskies a verbal commitment.
“I felt like this was the place I should be,” Kelly said. “I’ve always had love for Washington. I felt like I had to be there. I had to be at that school. It’s just the right choice for me.”
The 6-foot-1, 171-pound cornerback is the third prospect to join the program’s 2013 class in four days, joining receiver John Ross (Long Beach, Calif./Jordan) and defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland).
“I felt like this was the place I should be,” Kelly said. “I’ve always had love for Washington. I felt like I had to be there. I had to be at that school. It’s just the right choice for me.”
- Jermaine Kelly
- Wide receiver
- 2013
- Uncommitted: List
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UW, UCLA continue to compete for recruits
January, 7, 2013
Jan 7
11:25
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
SEATTLE -- Take a look at the ESPN.com 2013 football class rankings and it should come as little surprise Washington and UCLA sit side-by-side.
The Huskies (No. 19) and Bruins (No. 20) have been targeting a similar set of prospects throughout this recruiting cycle.
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SEATTLE -- It started Friday.
On the NFL Network during the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, John Ross (Long Beach, Calif./Jordan) stood behind a table lined with hats.
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Dwight Williams (Gardena, Calif./Serra) knew Washington was interested.
But the 6-foot-1, 200-pound ESPN Watch List member wasn’t sure if the Huskies had extended an offer yet.
Washington linebackers coach Peter Sirmon cleared up any confusion Saturday while trading messages on Facebook.
But the 6-foot-1, 200-pound ESPN Watch List member wasn’t sure if the Huskies had extended an offer yet.
Washington linebackers coach Peter Sirmon cleared up any confusion Saturday while trading messages on Facebook.
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Washington added another commitment this weekend to their improving defense. Already holding verbals from defensive line prospects like athletic and active D-Tackle Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) and promising D-End Daeshon Hall (Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster), they have now gained Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) to the mix.
Listed as defensive end, Mathis is a bit off a ‘tweener as he is a bigger, thickly built kid especially through his lower body. He could initially add depth at the weak end spot behind Andrew Hudson while potentially developing more into that strong defensive end spot in their scheme. The four-star is a tough, active player in the trenches who flashes a nice initial burst off the ball. He needs to keep developing aspects of his game, but as he continues to blend more consistent technique with his motor he can be a productive player in the trenches defending the run as well as pressuring the quarterback.
Listed as defensive end, Mathis is a bit off a ‘tweener as he is a bigger, thickly built kid especially through his lower body. He could initially add depth at the weak end spot behind Andrew Hudson while potentially developing more into that strong defensive end spot in their scheme. The four-star is a tough, active player in the trenches who flashes a nice initial burst off the ball. He needs to keep developing aspects of his game, but as he continues to blend more consistent technique with his motor he can be a productive player in the trenches defending the run as well as pressuring the quarterback.
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After all of his success bringing top-tier prospects to Cal and now Washington, Tosh Lupoi has earned his reputation as one of the nation’s top recruiters.
The defensive line coach is in the middle of helping the Huskies secure another top 25 class. It should come as no surprise he has done very well recruiting the position he coaches.
When Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) gave Washington a verbal commitment Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he became the sixth defensive lineman -- four tackles, two ends -- to join the program’s 2013 class.
The defensive line coach is in the middle of helping the Huskies secure another top 25 class. It should come as no surprise he has done very well recruiting the position he coaches.
When Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) gave Washington a verbal commitment Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he became the sixth defensive lineman -- four tackles, two ends -- to join the program’s 2013 class.
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SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 300 defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) once thought he’d be a star basketball player. Even before then, he wondered if he’d be around to see an event like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
Mathis chose the Huskies over offers from USC, UCLA and Alabama. He is No. 251 in the ESPN 300 and the No. 22 defensive end.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
Mathis on Thursday reflected on life decisions made during his earlier years in high schools. He never thought two years later, he’d be announcing where he would play college football on national television. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound end verbally committed to Washington.
“God blessed me with something I didn’t know I had,” Mathis said. “My life wasn’t headed the right way. Freshman and sophomore year, I was doing the stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I finally changed it around.
“I thought I was going to be a basketball player, but I’m really happy I went this way.”
In addition to being a standout defensive end, Mathis also is a four-year varsity basketball forward. He said once he stopped growing, he began to lift weights and focus more on football.
“Best decision I ever made,” Mathis said.
SEATTLE -- Washington is in a very good position to bring in some top talent this weekend.
Receiver John Ross (Long Beach, Calif./Jordan) is planning to pick between Washington, Oregon and UCLA at Friday’s Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, and defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) is expected to announce his college choice at Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
At this point, the Huskies seem to be the favorite to land both four-star prospects, even though Mathis said Thursday he might not have his final decision made -- his finalists are Washington, Alabama, USC and UCLA -- before his nationally televised announcement.
Receiver John Ross (Long Beach, Calif./Jordan) is planning to pick between Washington, Oregon and UCLA at Friday’s Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, and defensive end Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) is expected to announce his college choice at Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
At this point, the Huskies seem to be the favorite to land both four-star prospects, even though Mathis said Thursday he might not have his final decision made -- his finalists are Washington, Alabama, USC and UCLA -- before his nationally televised announcement.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
12:08
PM PT
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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ABOUT HUSKY NATION
Mason Kelley
Mason Kelley joined ESPN.com in 2012 and covers Washington recruiting. Kelley came to ESPN after spending three years as the high school sports coordinator at The Seattle Times. He has written about high school, college and professional sports since 2004, working for newspapers in Florida, California, Idaho and Washington. He currently lives in Seattle and can be reached at masonkelleyESPN@gmail.com.