Huskies Added 4 High-Ceiling Defensive Linemen on Sign Day
The Washington Huskies added four promising high school defensive linemen on the first day of the early signing period, and not even the waffling of 4-star edge rusher Dominic Kirks could spoil the moment, with coach Kalen DeBoer offering high praise for the incoming players.
"Moving into the Big Ten, these are the type of guys you absolutely want on the football field and want to be recruiting," DeBoer said on Wednesday.
Headlined by edge rusher Noah Carter, who was ranked as the nation's 96th overall player by 247sports, the 6-foot-4, 228-pound product of Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona, will make a full-time move to the defensive line after doubling up as a wide receiver in high school.
"You see him return punts for touchdowns, catching fades as a wide receiver, he's an elite athlete all around," DeBoer said. "I think there's so much growth that he has ahead of him in the technical piece at the edge position."
Also on the edge, the Huskies signed 3-star edge rusher Keona Wilhite from Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona, someone who has a promising frame and should provide flexibility along the defensive front for the coaching staff at 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds.
"He has extreme length and a motor that doesn't stop," DeBoer said. "His frame, when you see him walk in the door it will make you say 'Wow.' We're extremely excited about both of those guys"
At defensive tackle, Army and Navy Academy product Ratumana Bulabalavu from the San Diego area has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the country.
He recorded 43 sacks over his final two seasons of high school and, at 6-foot-4 and 285-pounds, looks like he has a much anticipated future along the interior of Washington's defensive line.
"His change of direction as a big guy, with some good weight on him, the sky's the limit for him," DeBoer said. "He's a guy that you love hanging around but when you get on the football field, he's got a nastiness to him that you love."
With the coaching staff preparing to replace the entire defensive line, Omar Khan from Bridgeland High School in Cypress, Texas has all the makings of a future stalwart at defensive tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 285-pound defensive tackle has a wrestling background that will fit well in the middle of the defense.
"You can see how strong he is already and when he comes off the line of scrimmage, he's hitting you in the mouth," DeBoer said. "He's got that excitement to him that I know will be contagious to the rest of the team."
The coaching staff understands that as the Huskies move into the Big Ten, it will need to continue to build through the trenches. As a rich contract extension for DeBoer looms, his staff will need to keep making talent inroads in the same mold for what could be a long time.
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