Taking flight! Air Force Academy football fueled by large class of 2021 Washington commits

On the eve of the early signing day period for football, nobody should be surprised who is ruling the roost in Washington.

It is the Washington Huskies, who currently are expected to sign six in-state seniors starting Wednesday.

But right there with them?

It is the Air Force Academy, also with six signees.

"Yeah, that is a surprise to me," said Chiawana High School's Cameron Breier, who is expected to sign with the Falcons on Wednesday. "It's incredible. I know, for me, it is a great opportunity. And for a lot of other people, it is a great opportunity for them as well."

Along with Breir, Wenatchee's J.J. Jelsing, O'Dea's Antwan Brown, Steilacoom's Tre Horner (late addition Wednesday night) and the Seattle Prep duo of Kendin Alexander and Jared Roznos are expected to sign Wednesday (or a couple days later).

And the Falcons might have another down-the-road hopeful in Royal's Cooper Christensen, who is still heavily considering Air Force.

Brandon Huffman, the national recruiting editor for 247Sports.com, said the biggest influence on that heavy influx of Washington talent is Air Force offensive coordinator Mike Thiessen, a former Falcons quarterback.

"Air Force has always done a good job ... recruiting up here," Huffman said. "Players see the academics and the high level of football (in the Mountain West Conference), the proximity and success - it's attractive."

Aaron Maul, the football coach at Seattle Prep, said Alexander and Roznos saw all of what Air Force offered, and it became an easy decision to opt for Colorado Springs.

"They are looking out for their future," Maul said. "They just fell in love with Air Force."

This has always been Breier's dream school - which is a big reason the 6-foot-2, 195-pound linebacker will be up at 6 a.m. Wednesday to send his paperwork to Air Force coaches.

"I cannot wait," he said.

His backstory is a little different than most recruits: Breier first saw the campus when he was running in a track meet in Colorado Springs, and met Falcons' two-sport standout James Jones IV.

Jones gave Breier the campus tour, which the Tri-Cities standout dubbed "better than an official visit." He also ran into Thiessen.

Last May, Breier announced he would be joining Air Force's recruiting class for 2021 for football and track and field.

He will leave for basic training June 25.

"This may sound crazy, but I would have taken that offer over any other school in the country," Breier said.