The Sarkisian Recruiting Bump

With spring over for teams across the country, and a long stretch to fall ahead of us, about our only link to football will be recruiting gossip. The good news for Washington fans, however? Steve Sarkisian has started to get it done up in Seattle.

With seven recruits currently onboard, it's looking like a decent year for recruiting. For those that keep track, the Huskies did not have a single recruit until October last year.

Willingham had a whole other year gifted to him, yet recruits could smell the slow death of his tenure as the Huskies coach.

The best news of these seven recruits is that six of them are from the state of Washington. Last year's class only had two, to put that number into perspective. This coincides with Sarkisian's initial promise to put a fence around the state. 

Lakes High School has proved a fertile ground for the Huskies, contributing three players to this years class inJamaal Kearse, Sione Potoae, and Darius Waters. They will join current Huskies and former Lakes players Jermaine Kearse (brother of Jamaal) and banner 2008 recruit Kavario Middleton.

The big key to in-state recruiting is nationally regarded quarterback Jake Heaps, from Skyline high school. Many think he will stay close to home, and is a self professed Husky fan, but his Mormon roots could lead him out of state to BYU.

If the Huskies can't get Heaps, they are recruiting other big name western quarterbacks such as Jesse Scroggins and Nick Montana. Montana, of course, being the son of the former 49er great Joe Montana.

While quarterback is the most glamorous recruiting battle going on for the Huskies, it is not their most pressing need. Offensive linemen and running backs are being highly recruited by the Huskies. The Huskies only signed one offensive lineman and zero running backs in the 2009 class.

Currently, the Huskies only have one recruit for each position. Ben Riva is an imposing 6'7" offensive line product from O'Dea in Seattle. The Huskies, and especially offensive line coach Dan Cozetto, have specified they would like to sign at least three prospects up front in this class. So, there is still much work to do. 

While, at the same time, Melvin Davis is the big bodied back that Sarkisian has been searching for in the stable. There are hints that they like Davis in the same mold as LenDale White out of USC, and hope to use him the same way.

If that's the case or not, look for the Huskies to try and sign a smaller speed back to complement Davis' more bruising style.

Recruit Zach Fogerson, brother of current Huskies safety Johri Fogerson, is listed as a running back, but is in truth being recruited as a fullback. With this being an important position in Sarkisian's pro-style scheme, it's a good pickup for the Huskies.

These are much more specific needs on the team, based more on personnel requirements more than anything else. In truth, the Huskies need upgrades at nearly every position, even quarterback with Jake Locker going into his junior year.

Look also for a big upgrade in the defensive personnel going into next years recruiting class. The defense has been horrendous the last two years, and you can bet defensive coordinator Nick Holt is itching for some more bodies.

They currently only have three of the seven recruits on that side of the ball. 

Sarkisian has been getting work done, but it is obvious he wants to do more. Because of the Saban Rule, he is spending this recruiting period at home for the first time. Something he brought up in the most recent Pac-10 meetings down in Arizona.

The staff around him are young energetic recruiters, though, and should get the job done in his absence. Washington has stayed on many recruits lists specifically because they like what the new staff is selling.

Unfortunately, until an actually product is on the field, it's basically trying to sell vapor.