Recruiting roundup: Washington secures two linebackers, Colorado grabs a cornerback and Cal lands a receiver
The Hotline is delighted to provide West Coast fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Phoenix-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on Feb. 13 …
Huskies recruit Coachs
After closing January with a pair of out-of-state commitments, Washington landed two more from outside the home of the new Super Bowl champions.
And the Huskies went Coach to do it: Ethan Coach and Justin Coach.
The twin brothers have been mainstays for Southern California powerhouse St. John Bosco, lining up side by side at linebacker.
While Ethan told 247Sports earlier this month the pair would not be a package deal, they ended up committing to the same school.
The Huskies have had success with Bosco defensive players, notably cornerback Trent McDuffie, a Pro Bowler with the Kansas City Chiefs, but current UW starting linebacker Deven Bryant, as well.
The Coach twins also become the first California pledges in UW’s 2027 class. They joined Idaho linebacker Titus Osterman as feathers in the cap for linebackers coach Brian Odom.
Although it’s still early in the recruiting cycle, the commitments from the twins elevate the Huskies’ class to No. 12 in the country and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
Buffs shine bright
For as much scrutiny as its high school recruiting has received, Colorado quietly got on the board for the 2027 class.
And the Buffaloes went down to the home state for head coach Deion Sanders to pull that pledge.
Plus, it’s a position Sanders is plenty familiar with.
Davon Dericho, a three-star cornerback from Miami, became the Buffs’ first known verbal commitment for 2027. He’s a top 60 player at the position and a top 60 recruit in the Sunshine State.
In choosing the Buffs, Dericho cited the opportunity to play for a legendary cornerback like Sanders, who he called the “best to ever do it,” and chose Colorado over offers from schools like Florida State, Indiana, Louisville and Pitt.
SoCal teammates off the board
One of the best receiver groups on the West Coast attends Chaparral High School in Temecula, California.
And all three of the 2027 prospects are now committed to Pac-12 legacy schools.
After watching teammate Michael Farinas commit to UCLA last week, fellow Puma receivers Tycen Johnson and Eli Woodard followed suit in the ensuing days.
Johnson followed Farinas shortly after his commitment to the Bruins, opting to head outside the Golden State and giving Arizona State his commitment.
He became the second California receiver to pick the Sun Devils, whose receivers coach is former NFL star Hines Ward, after Nico Bland from Orange Lutheran committed to ASU during the fall.
Earlier this week, Woodard opted to oppose Farinas in college and committed to USC.
Familial name for the Bears
One of Cal’s biggest portal acquisitions of the offseason came from Oregon receiver Cooper Perry.
Perry played in a dozen games for the Ducks, catching 10 passes as a true freshman. But he entered the portal and ended up at Cal.
That opened the door for the Bears to recruit his younger brother, Gunnar Perry, a 2027 recruit from the same high school as his older brother (Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona).
It was a relatively short recruitment for receivers coach Ike Hilliard and head coach Tosh Lupoi, who like Perry, came from Oregon in the offseason.
Perry was offered by Cal on Jan. 19 and committed to the Bears less than three weeks later.
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