Washington Huskies: Elijah Qualls
SEATTLE -- This is the year. Washington coach Steve Sarkisian is preparing for his fifth season with the Huskies and, after three straight bowl appearances, 2013 seems to be the season where the program is expected to take the next step.
After signing four straight top 25 recruiting classes, Washington is now expected to put a top 25 team on the field.
After signing four straight top 25 recruiting classes, Washington is now expected to put a top 25 team on the field.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
SEATTLE -- It was an interesting signing day for Washington.
The Huskies revealed their 2013 class Wednesday, a group that includes five members of the ESPN 300, and coach Steve Sarkisian praised the quality of the new prospects in the program.
Washington certainly had its share of hits and misses, but since the ones who got away aren’t coming back, the focus should stay on players the Huskies signed.
It’s a very good group. Washington added length, strength and athleticism. The offensive prospects are proven playmakers and the defensive standouts have big-play potential.
With 22 prospects in this class, quarterback Troy Williams and safety Trevor Walker enrolled early the Huskies had room to add more prospects if they wanted, but Sarkisian said he didn’t want to reach late.
Washington finished with the No. 3 class in the Pac-12. It was rated No. 18 in the nation.
Now that the 2013 class has been announced, the Huskies are already working on 2014. With the program’s junior day set for Saturday, there is little time to rest for the coaching staff.
While Washington looks toward the future, it is time to tackle the mailbag.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Lupoi takes lead as Washington recruiter 
February, 7, 2013
Feb 7
6:00
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Take a closer look at Washington’s 2013 recruiting class and one thing starts to stand out.
This group has Tosh Lupoi’s fingerprints all over it.
The Huskies’ ace recruiter made an impact with the program from the moment he was hired less than a month before signing day in 2012.
This group has Tosh Lupoi’s fingerprints all over it.
The Huskies’ ace recruiter made an impact with the program from the moment he was hired less than a month before signing day in 2012.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 150 defensive end Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Petaluma) talks about signing with Washington.
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ESPN 300 DT Elijah Qualls is one of Washington's most passionate commits. So we gave UW fans a chance to ask the future Husky questions on Twitter @HuskyNationESPN and you guys delivered with some great questions. Here are five of our favorites, which we passed on to Qualls to get his answers. In the process, you helped get him to sign up for Twitter. Follow Qualls @EQtheUWprophet.
@biggeazy206: Elijah, what do you feel are your strengths? What do you think you still have to work on?
Elijah Qualls: “My strength is my explosive power, my low center of gravity and my determination. I need to work on everything, but mostly my hands and technique that coach (Tosh) Lupoi wants me to play with.”
@biggeazy206: Elijah, what do you feel are your strengths? What do you think you still have to work on?
Elijah Qualls: “My strength is my explosive power, my low center of gravity and my determination. I need to work on everything, but mostly my hands and technique that coach (Tosh) Lupoi wants me to play with.”
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Adam Fermstad tried to come up with an adequate description for Andrew Basham’s combination of size and speed.
The coach at Lynnwood (Wash.) settled on a single word for the talent the 6-foot-4, 305-pound prospect possesses: “Insane.”
Basham’s potential is impressive.
The coach at Lynnwood (Wash.) settled on a single word for the talent the 6-foot-4, 305-pound prospect possesses: “Insane.”
Basham’s potential is impressive.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
SEATTLE -- If Wednesday were any indication, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian made the rounds this week.
He was in Diamond Bar (Calif.) to watch film and extend scholarship offers to sophomore receivers Cordell Broadus and Kanya Bell. He spent an evening with cornerback commit Jermaine Kelly (Los Angeles/Salesian) during an in-home visit. And he stopped by Pomona (Calif.) High School to check in on linebacker commit Azeem Victor.
He was in Diamond Bar (Calif.) to watch film and extend scholarship offers to sophomore receivers Cordell Broadus and Kanya Bell. He spent an evening with cornerback commit Jermaine Kelly (Los Angeles/Salesian) during an in-home visit. And he stopped by Pomona (Calif.) High School to check in on linebacker commit Azeem Victor.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Classroom focus pays off for UW commit
January, 14, 2013
Jan 14
9:42
AM PT
By
Mason Kelley | ESPN.com
Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) was stressed.
Days before the 6-foot-1, 282-pound defensive tackle was scheduled to take his last finals before winter break, he was worried about his grades in chemistry and Spanish.
The senior stayed after school. He studied at home late into each night.
He did everything he could to ensure he got the grades he needed to be able to start his college career with Washington on time.
Days before the 6-foot-1, 282-pound defensive tackle was scheduled to take his last finals before winter break, he was worried about his grades in chemistry and Spanish.
The senior stayed after school. He studied at home late into each night.
He did everything he could to ensure he got the grades he needed to be able to start his college career with Washington on time.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
SEATTLE -- With less than a month to go before signing day, Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) has resumed his role as one of Washington’s top recruiters.
Whether a prospect is committed to or considering the Huskies, Qualls keeps an eye on the program’s recruiting effort. He tries to contribute wherever he can.
Whether a prospect is committed to or considering the Huskies, Qualls keeps an eye on the program’s recruiting effort. He tries to contribute wherever he can.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider