Fresh off a very good official visit to Oklahoma State four-star running back Chris Warren had an in-home visit with several Washington coaches - Chris Petersen, running backs coach Keith Bhonapha and receivers coach Brent Pease. I said this the other day and I'll say it again. They wouldn't be investing this time and energy unless they felt like they had a chance. Warren has continued to maintain that the rumors he's heavily favoring Texas are not correct. Of course, there's always the possibility of misdirection, but Warren knows Washington has a commitment to running the football and he knows there's a place for a power back in Petersen's offense.

Warren has always been comfortable with the idea of life in the Pacific Northwest so that's not a factor. It may not be as big of a plus as some have made it out to be, given his other options and finalists and what they offer in terms of location, but the fact that it's not a net negative is huge.

One source told us the in-home visit went very well. It was less about football and X's and O's, and more about just spending time with the coaches. His relationship with Bhonapha is important, as the running backs coach, and the Husky coach has done a good job. But it's the personal time and attention that head coach Petersen is investing that could impress Warren the most right now.

Now, on to Potoa'e. He does make his decision today after all. We're hearing all the eleventh hour scrambling is unlikely to affect Potoa'e's choice. We can only speak to what we've been told, but our feel is the official visit to Washington is what put the Huskies' over the top.

Petersen was to have an in-home visit with Petersen last night (he's a busy guy these days). Petersen is important, there, but with Potoa'e its much more of a total feel based on the players he's gotten to know at Washington, the other recruits he's gotten to know, and the prospect of staying in-state. Given his brother's history at the school it's always been near the front of his mind. We have been told that the luster of the UCLA visit has worn off a bit although he still likes them (and Oregon) quite a bit. The pick, as we're told, will be Washington. Potoa'e announces at 2:15 today.

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Top 2016 target David Long tells us he's likely to return to Washington this year.

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Here's what you need to know about Jordan Elliott and Rashard Lawrence, two defensive tackles who recently picked up Washington offers.

Scoop: Huskies offer D-Tackles

Four-star running back Chris Warren has been a busy guy of late. With the dead period ending last week things have really heated up. He took an official visit to Oklahoma State over the weekend. The Pokes have been one of his finalists.

One source with knowledge of Warren's recruitment seemed to downplay the significance of visits. That may not be a good thing. Texas has been the presumed favorite for some time so if visits aren't going to be truly decisive then it would seem to be a net win for the Longhorns. Of course, Warren won't say that Texas is his favorite.

That same source said Warren's trip to Oklahoma State was good but probably not a game changer either way. Warren's not the kind of kid to shower a school with effusive praise in the aftermath of a trip and he's been around the block a time or two so it's going to be tough to 'wow' him.

There had been some talk that Warren could take an official visit to Texas A&M this weekend. The Aggies have been pushing for him to do that and offered recently. But it's looking, at this point, like Warren will stick with the original plan: Texas Tech on Jan. 23, and Washington on Jan. 30. There's a chance he could make a midweek trip to College Station but that's not set, to our knowledge.

Last week a bevy of coaches stopped by Warren's school, including Keith Bhonapha from the Washington staff. The Huskies wouldn't be investing the time, energy and travel so close to Signing Day if they thought this were done in Texas' favor, so we know behind the scenes there's still some uncertainty as to where he's going, although it's hard for people close to Washington not to be impacted by all the Texas talk.

Source familiar with four-star Benning Potoa'e's recruitment tells TheDawgReport.com they expect him to commit to Washington. This is just what I've been told from one person so take it for what it's worth, but with a decision expected later this week, just days after his trip to UDub, I'm hearing that the Huskies made up the ground they needed to make up and surged ahead of the Bruins. Wouldn't be entirely surprising if you've followed the big picture trajectory of Potoa'e's recruitment but with recent news of him and UCLA it would certainly be a welcome development.

Don't think it would impact UDub's pursuit of BYU commit Mika Tafua, who also visited over the weekend. I believe the Dawgs would take both.

I also don't believe Potoa'e has given a silent verbal commitment at this point, although folks seem to be confident.

Some numbers are what you'd expect in an 85-77 win. Some don't make any sense.

Huskies-Ducks: By the Numbers

Just when you think you've got this Washington basketball team figured out they prove you've got no idea. None of us do.

When You Think You Know

Here's what you need to know about the big official visit weekend that was. Much more coming soon from these and others.

Big Official Visit Weekend

It's been reported that UDub has offered DE/Buck Bryce Sterk from Lynden. I spoke with him tonight. He will officially visit Washington on Jan. 23. He's already visited Eastern and Wyoming but it sure sounds like if all goes well he could be a Husky.

Sterk is 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds with a 40-yard best of 4.83 seconds. He was productive and really got after the quarterback well (24 QB "harasses," as he said) as a senior. Totally under the radar because he didn't bother to send film out, but this is someone who introduced himself to the Washington coaches over the summer and he went to three games. I think he'll be a Husky commit so this is very newsworthy.

Spoke with Cam McCormick tonight. He's a 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end (2016) from Bend (Oreg.) Summit.

McCormick's latest offer is from Washington and he's already planned to attend UDub's junior day on Feb. 7. Lot of interest there. Oregon has offered, too, and as an in-state school it might seem like the Ducks will be tough to beat out. But there's some genuine interest in the Dawgs.

Profile: Cam McCormick

Making plays in the clutch was the difference between UDUB's win over Oregon State and their recent losses.

What was the difference?

Jack Jones says Brent Pease is telling him that he can be a dominant receiver for UDUB.

Pease's strong pitch

Washington and LSU are among the schools starting to reach out to 2016 Texas linebacker Clifton Lewis.

Texas LB on UW's Radar

David Long is a top '16 target from Loyola for Washington but his teammate, Jordan Riordan, could hear from the Huskies soon.

Another Loyola target

Washington's full court press has Curtis Robinson's attention.

Persistence paying off

The dead period is over and today a new period begins. It's the stretch run to National Signing Day.

What does it look like?

Most of Washington's work in the Class of 2015 is finished. They do have some top remaining targets like Dechaun Holiday, Chris Warren, Xavier Castille and others, plus some secondary targets if they don't land their top guys. Those players will all get visits and this weekend will be a big one for official visits at UDub.

But most of the coaches' work will be with the commitments that did not enroll early (that's all but Jake Browning and Ezekiel Turner), visiting them and their schools and making sure everything is squared away before Signing Day. It's just the nature of Chris Petersen's tactics, but UDub doesn't have much drama to worry about. All their guys seem solid.

We'll have you covered as assistants hit the road.

2017 RB from Fontana (Calif.) Summit talks about his first offer from Washington.

Story

Just how important is the Washington-OSU game, and what are the keys against the Beavers?

Getting back on track

Right now it's clear Xavier Castille is one of Washington's top remaining recruiting priorities. Certainly he's near the top of the board at receiver and would be a take. Oklahoma State and SMU are among the other major players for him.

I can confirm that D'erren Wilson is another receiver that's at least on the radar as a possible backup option.

Washington is one of the schools playing "wait and see" with the SMU commit. He's a 6-foot-3, rangy wide out that doesn't have a lofty ranking, but Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma State and Kentucky are all telling him that he could be an option before Signing Day.

Profile: D'erren Wilson

Salvon Ahmed is a top in-state 2017 target for Washington. Oregon is coming on strong.

Oregon coming on strong

TheDawgReport.com is proud to present the 2015 unofficial Washington football recruiting Hot Board. You'll get the idea as we update it over time, but we're hoping this will be a good one-stop shop for you to catch the latest on just where Washington stands with its top targets.

Please note, we're limiting this to top-tier targets that have viable interest in Washington. So even if Washington has offered a player we need to see it reciprocated before we put him on this list.

Commitments
QB Jake Browning - No. 8 pro-style | 6'2, 185 | ENROLLED
RB Myles Gaskin - No. 44 running back | 5'10, 185 | Solid
TE Michael Neal - 6'5, 205 | Solid
WR Isaiah Renfro - No. 65 receiver | 6'2, 193 | Solid
OL Trey Adams - No. 52 offensive tackle | 6'7, 275 | Solid but others pursuing
OL Jared Hilbers - 6'6, 269 | Solid
OL/LS A.J. Hardy - 6'3, 250 | Solid
ATH Jordan Miller - 6'2, 165 | Solid
WR Andre Baccellia - 5'11, 170 | Solid
LB Kyler Manu - 6'2, 195 | Solid
OL Henry Roberts - No. 34 offensive tackle | 6'6, 270 | Solid
DE Jason Scrempos - No. 40 strongside defensive end | 6'6, 245 | Solid
LB Ben Burr-Kirven - 6'0, 220 | Solid
LB DJ Beavers - No. 25 outside linebacker | 6'2, 210 | Solid
DE Myles Rice - 6'2, 215 | Solid
ATH Quinten Pounds - 6'1, 170 | Solid
TE Ricky McCoy - No. 29 tight end | 6'4, 243 | Solid
LB Jusstis Warren - 6'3, 225 | Solid
ATH Tevis Bartlett - 6'4, 215 | Solid
ATH Austin Joyner - No. 9 athlete | 5'10, 190 | Solid
ATH Chico McClatcher - 5'7, 168 | Solid
DB Ezekiel Turner - 6'2, 200 | ENROLLED
OL Devin Burleston - 6'7, 270 | ENROLLED (greyshirt from '14 class)


TARGETS BY POSITION

Quarterback - None. Appears Washington is finished.

Running back (Would take 1 more if the right fit)
Chris Warren - Washington is one of five favorites.

Wide receiver (Likely to take 1 more)
Jaylinn Hawkins - Washington could be a darkhorse here.
Xavier Castille - Washington may lead. Visiting Jan. 30.

Tight end

Offensive Line



Defensive Line (Would take another if the right fit)
Benning Potoa'e - Four-star in-stater, one of Huskies' top priorities.
Cameron Walton - JUCO DE.

Linebacker



Defensive Back
Dechaun Holiday - Visited Washington. Huskies very much in play. Top target.
Quenton Meeks - Still plans to officially visit Washington and UCLA.


Athlete

This post was edited on 1/8 3:22 AM by JRowland

Hearing there's a good chance Washington will have a junior day on Feb. 7. Should have a good number of prospects there. Will know a lot more about where UW stands with 2016 kids and what the forecast is for the next class there.

UCLA is likely to make a run at 2016 UW commit Brandon Wellington. They will visit his school in just a few days after the dead period ends. Based on my conversation with him he would be willing to listen but it will take a lot to flip him. He was very convinced Washington was the right place for him when he committed.

Washington is one of the top schools involved with Rivals250 athlete (2016) Steffon McKnight. Just told me the opportunity to build and experience something new is very appealing to him. Full story coming soon but this is an elite junior UW can make a splash with.