Sunday, June 14, 2009

The Recruiting News Just Gets Better For the Huskies

The Washington Huskies and head coach Steve Sarkisian have capped off an excellent week of recruiting, with four solid recruits heading to Montlake.

Today the Huskies received news from highly regarded athlete Keonon Lowe from Portland, Oregon and tight end/defensive end Michael Hartvigson from Bothell, Washington.

They join current recruits Nick Montana, arguably the biggest get of the group, and offensive lineman Colin Porter.

Erik Kohler, a teammate of Montana's, made a visit to Seattle this weekend and came away really impressed. The four star lineman didn't commit but cited how the new staff have assuaged any doubts about the 0-12 2008 campaign.

Michael Hartvigson is an interesting recruit, with upside on both sides of the ball. He had been recruited by as highly regarded programs as Florida in the past. However, this can be traced back to former Washington tight end coach Brian White switching to coaching for Gators.

He is a self professed lifelong Dawg fan and said that the visit completely sealed the deal for him. So much so he jumped up in the middle of the meeting and shouted "I'm a Dawg!"

This was considered great news by the staff assembled for the meeting, and even drew a tender moment from defensive coordinator Nick Holt. The verbally profuse hardman was so excited he kissed Hartvigson on the forehead.

A bit extreme perhaps, but a complete departure from the previous regime to be sure.

Keonon Lowe is another great get, and is rated the highest in the Huskies class by Rivals right now.

Lowe was recruited as a receiver and joins current receiver recruits Jamaal Kearse and Tevin Carter in this class. He made his decision after visiting Montlake as well. The staff has done well to make the campus and the energy there a real selling point this recruiting season.

The best news about Lowe, from this humble fans perspective, and barring his high regard, is the fact that the Huskies stole him away from Duck territory.

Naturally, of course, the Duck fans will all say that he isn't that good and the Ducks can survive. Something along the lines of that it doesn't matter in the greater scheme of things.

In truth, it doesn't, but it has to be a moral victory for a brand new staff, that hasn't even won a game yet, to be able to steal a highly regarded recruit from a bitter rivals backyard.

It will in no way bring parity back to the old ways, i.e. the Huskies dominating, but Washington needs all the help it can get at this point.

Four recruits in a week is a great haul, especially after coming off such a dire season and it also being the off-season.

The real question is, if things go bad this year, can Sarkisian hold onto this group.

Time will tell.

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