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The state of Washington has been on the upswing when it comes to producing high school football prospects in recent years, developing some of the nation’s top prospects.

But the Pac-12 Conference has experienced mixed results when it comes to keeping that blue-chip talent in its regional footprint.

Here’s a look at the top Washington high school prospects from 2022-2018 and where they ended up going to college.

Class of 2022

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5-star offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. (Rainier Beach; Seattle) — Nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and No. 1 offensive tackle

The nation’s top offensive tackle looked like a near-lock for Washington very early in his high school career, but as his recruitment unfolded it became clear it would be a long, hard-fought battle.

For a time, it appeared as though Michigan had developed a significant lead, but Conerly elected to wait past both the December early signing period and the traditional February signing period.

Finally in April, the 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive lineman committed to Oregon over Michigan, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma, USC Washington.

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4-star wide receiver Tobias Merriweather (Union; Camas) — Nation’s No. 80 overall prospect and No. 14 wide receiver

All-American Bowl wide receiver Tobias Merriweather felt under appreciated early in his high school career, but the hype finally started to catch up to his immense talent as a senior.

The 6-foot-4,195-pound pass-catcher committed to Notre Dame over offers from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, Washington and others.

4-star tight end Ryan Otton (Tumwater; Olympia) — Nation’s No. 9 tight end

Given Cade Otton’s success as a Husky in Seattle, Ryan Otton’s commitment to Washington always felt like a foregone conclusion.

Behind the scenes, however, Oregon State made a real push for the Northwest’s top jumbo pass-catcher.

It wasn’t enough.

Otton was the top-rated prospect in Washington’s class.

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4-star offensive lineman Dave Iuli (Puyallup; Puyallup) — Nation’s No. 10 interior offensive lineman

The recruitment of Dave Iuli ended up being a whirlwind.

After originally committing to Washington, the 6-foot-5, 315-pound two-way lineman flipped to Oregon.

Iuli de-committed in December and silently committed to Mario Cristobal at Miami (Fla.).

After a last-minute visit to Eugene, he re-committed to the Ducks.

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4-star offensive tackle Malik Agbo (Todd Beamer; Federal Way) — Nation’s No. 22 offensive tackle

Malik Agbo generated more than 20 scholarship offers during his recruitment and took official visits to Auburn, Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma and Texas.

In the end, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound lineman chose to become a Longhorn.

Here’s what 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman had to say about Agbo:

“While Agbo has played primarily tackle as a prep, he projects to sliding inside to play guard. Shows plus athleticism, being used as a goalline back and tight end in some packages, so has the athleticism to play tackle, but with his size and strength, will be utilized better against interior defenders. With his bulk and size, moves nimbly on his feet. Excels as a run blocker and continuing to improve in pass protection. Anchors quickly and can re-set, with heavy hands and initial punch. Consistency and motor can ebb and flow depending on the time of game. Could also use some time to trim up and not play with extra weight. Vocal leader. Plays basketball and throws the shot put, and is an accomplished multi-sport athlete.”

Class of 2021

5-star defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau (Eastside Catholic; Sammamish) — Nation’s No. 2 overall prospect

The recruitment of J.T. Tuimoloau, arguably the top football prospect in state history, lasted until the Fourth of July, extending roughly five months past the traditional signing period.

All along it was reported that Ohio State held a lead, fending off Alabama, Oregon, Washington and others.

In the end, those reports proved to be true, as Tuimoloau became a Buckeye.

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5-star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (Steilacoom; Steilacoom) — Nation’s No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver

Perhaps the best receiver prospect in Washington state history (although Lakes High School alum Reggie Williams would probably like a word), Emeka Egbuka felt like an Ohio State Buckeyes lean from the start.

But it wasn't until five days before the early signing period that he made it official, committing to Ohio State over Clemson, Washington and others.

According to 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman, Egbuka projects as a future Day 1 NFL Draft pick:

"Elite body control to go with optimal size and strength, with good top end speed and separation. Physical receiver, difficult to press but also take advantage of any cushions given. Can adjust to each and every throw, take short passes the distance while also getting behind the secondary on deep routes. Strong hands, wide catch radius, will bring anything in range down. Consistently draws double coverage and bracket coverage and routinely gets open. Able to get consistent YAC. Also skilled punt and kick returner. Can play safety, with tremendous range and ball skills. Projects as immediate Power 5 starter and future first-round NFL draft pick." 

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5-star quarterback Sam Huard (Kennedy Catholic; Bellevue) — Nation’s No. 3 quarterback and No. 23 overall prospect

Offered by Washington as a high school sophomore following his election as the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, Sam Huard felt like a lock to be a future Washington quarterback since birth.

His father, Damon, set the Washington career passing yards record before it was broken by Sam's uncle, Brock.

Huard is the fourth highest-rated pledge in modern program history, behind only safety Shaq Thompson (No. 4 in 2012), wide receiver Reggie Williams (No. 4 in 2001) and offensive tackle Nathan Rhodes (No. 13 in 2002). 

4-star offensive lineman Owen Prentice (O’Dea; Seattle) — Nation’s No. 121 overall prospect and No. 8 interior offensive lineman

Rated the nation's No. 8 interior offensive lineman, Owen Prentice held offers from Arizona State, California, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah and others.

But Washington - just five miles from home - secured his commitment by mid-summer between his junior and senior seasons.

Had his recruitment remained open, Prentice was likely to rack up at least a dozen more offers.

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4-star linebacker Julien Simon (Lincoln; Tacoma) — Nation’s No. 156 overall prospect and No. 16 linebacker

Once rated as highly as the nation's No. 33 overall prospect, Lincoln defensive star Julien Simon saw his stock fall a bit during the tail end of his high school career.

Why?

The highly productive 6-foot-2, 221-pound two-way playmaker was viewed as a bit of a 'tweener prospect - somewhere between a linebacker and a safety.

Simon will have a chance to compete for significant playing time at inside linebacker next season. 

Class of 2020

4-star wide receiver Gee Scott Jr. (Eastside Catholic; Sammamish) — Rated the nation’s No. 37 overall prospect and No. 5 wide receiver

One of the stranger recruitments in recent memory along the West Coast, the Washington Huskies took forever to finally offer electric playmaker Gee Scott Jr.

By then, the damage had been done.

Not only was there no chance Scott would attend Washington, but he has since become an influential recruiter of in-state talent. 

Scott committed to Ohio State, a program that has since added a pair of five-star prospects from Washington, Tuimoloau and Egbuka.

Washington's misstep with Scott has had lasting ramifications. 

4-star defensive end Sav’ell Smalls (Kennedy Catholic; Burien) — The nation’s No. 59 overall prospect and No. 5 defensive end, Washington

Kennedy Catholic edge-rusher Sav'ell Smalls, a 247Sports composite five-star recruit, eliminated Washington at one point in his recruitment.

But it always seemed the 6-foot-4, 244-pound athlete had a soft spot for remaining close to home.

Despite the Huskies' early elimination, as well as more than 30 scholarship offers from across the country, Smalls ended up signing with Washington.

4-star offensive guard Levi Rogers (Woodinville; Woodinville) — Nation’s No. 5 guard

A late bloomer in football, Levi Rogers developed into one of the nation's top interior offensive lineman.

All along it appeared as though Stanford would be the team to beat, and when he finally committed he did, in fact, become the Cardinal's prize.

4-star offensive guard Geirean Hatchett (Ferndale; Ferndale) —Nation’s No. 8 guard

Hatchett was one of the nation’s most offered interior offensive linemen, racking up nearly 30 scholarship offers.

Alabama, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford, USC and many others came calling, but in the end Hatchett took official visits to just two —Washington and Oklahoma.

The in-state Huskies scored a big win with his commitment

4-star cornerback Ayden Hector (Eastside Catholic; Sammamish) — Nation's No. 15 cornerback 

After originally committing to Stanford, All-American Bowl cornerback Ayden Hector wound up at Washington State.

Hector was suspended for a violation of team rules last spring and entered the transfer portal. 

4-star athlete Sam Adams II (Eastside Catholic; Sammamish) — Nation's No. 10 athlete

One of the most offered players on this list, Adams racked up more than 40 scholarships thanks to his versatility and immense talent.

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound ball-carrier was an All-American Bowl selection.

Adams took official visits to Floridan and Ohio State, but signed with the home-state Huskies.

He is a running back at Washington.

4-star tight end D.J. Rogers (Eastside Catholic; Sammamish) — Nation's No. 8 tight end

College football coaches always spend time at Eastside Catholic, but the special 2020 class might as well have made permanent residence of some of the country’s top recruiters.

Rogers tallied more than 30 scholarship offers and signed with California.

He has since transferred to TCU. 

Class of 2019

4-star quarterback Dylan Morris (Graham-Kapowsin; Graham) — Nation's No. 5 quarterback

One of the most accurate high school quarterback in recent memory, Dylan Morris committed to Washington as one of the top-rated signal-callers in program history.

Last season, however, proved to be a disaster for the Huskies - and Morris struggled in a slumping offense and amid the fanbase's loud calls for Sam Huard to take his job.

Morris still has a plus arm and elite accuracy when his mechanics are right, but there's work to do for him to realize his potential. 

Last season, he threw for 2,458 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 

4-star offensives lineman Nate Kalepo (Rainier Beach; Seattle) — Nation's No. 29 offensive tackle

Offensive lineman Nate Kalepo took just one official visit during his recruitment, and that was to Washington.

The massive 6-foot-6, 341-pound lineman played in 11 of Washington's 12 games last season, and could emerge as a major factor up front this fall. 

Class of 2018

4-star quarterback Jacob Sirmon (Bothell; Bothell) — Nation's No. 6 quarterback

Bothell quarterback Jacob Sirmon committed to Washington more than two years before he could officially put pen to paper to sign his National Letter of Intent.

Viewed as a potentially program-altering quarterback, Sirmon battled with several bluechip signal-callers to earn the starting job for two years. 

Eventually, he entered the transfer portal and committed to Central Michigan, where he is projected to compete for the starting gig this fall. 

4-star athlete Tre’Shaun Harrison (Garfield; Seattle) — Rated as the No. 7 athlete in the country

The recruitment of Tre'Shaun Harrison was a wild one.

Originally thought to be a battle between Washington and Michigan, Oregon emerged as the favorite for Harrison thanks to his relationship with Willie Taggart and his coaching staff.

When Taggart departed for the head coaching job at Florida State, Harrison followed suit just before the early signing period. 

It didn't take long, however, for Taggart to lose his job at FSU, and Harrison entered the transfer portal, where he committed to Oregon State. 

4-star cornerback Kyler Gordon (Archbishop Murphy; Everett) — Nation's No. 19 cornerback

Washington has produced some of the best defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference in recent years, and Kyler Gordon adds to that list, as he projects as a high NFL Draft pick.

Coming out of Archbishop Murphy, the 5-foot-11, 177-pound defensive back chose Washington over offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oregon, Stanford and others.

4-star wide receiver Rodrick Fisher (East Valley; Spokane) — Nation's No. 20 wide receiver

An All-American Bowl selection out of Spokane, Rodrick Fisher was a major in-state addition for the Cougars.

After a promising start, Fisher entered the transfer portal.