The Latest On Pac-12, Washington Recruiting With Fox Sports Tara Turnure
With college football’s “Super Bowl” day aka signing day coming up on Wednesday, February 1st. It’s the perfect time to find out where the top recruits will be spending the next 4-5 years. Scout.com and Fox Sports West Coast and Pac-12 Recruiting Reporter Tara Turnure was kind enough, as always, to talk about the latest involving Pac-12 and Washington recruiting.
On the Tosh Lupoi hiring, and the feedback from recruits:
The hiring of Tosh Lupoi was a big move for Huskies football. Already, Lupoi seems to be having an immediate impact on the recruiting front. Minutes after Lupoi’s move was made public, the number two safety in nation, Shaq Thompson announced he would be opening up his commitment to Cal. Thompson’s commitment to Cal was in large part due to his long-term relationship with Lupoi.
In a recent conversation with Thompson, he said, “Washington and Cal have been my final two for awhile, but now that this has happened I am really torn. I am pretty much split 50-50 between the two schools.” Lupoi’s move also made former Cal commit Jordan Payton take an official to UW last weekend. As a result, Payton now has UW at the top of his list as he heads into Signing Day.
After his official to Seattle last weekend Payton came home raving about the Huskies. Payton said, “I had a great time. I went up there with my family and they loved it. I loved it. It was just a phenomenal thing to see everything up there and just be there. I had a great time.”
Another recruit who has been impacted by Lupoi’s move is Arik Armstead. Prior to the hiring of Tosh Lupoi, the Huskies weren’t even on Armstead’s radar, but now Washington is in the mix as one of his five finalists. Armstead spent his final in-home visit on Friday meeting with Sarkisian, Lupoi and five other Husky coaches. In yesterday’s meeting the coaches reportedly put on quite an impressive presentation for Armstead.
Note: Armstead will be making his decision tomorrow (Sunday) at 3 P.M PST at his church.
On the chances Washington lands top instate OT Zach Banner:
For Zach Banner I think it will be toss up between USC and Washington. UW made a strong impression from the beginning. They were the first school to offer him during his freshman year and he has maintained a close relationship with Coach Sarkisian ever since.
On what makes Tosh Lupoi a great recruiter:
I have yet to meet Coach Lupoi in-person, but from what I have heard the reasons why recruits seem to really connect with him are because he is young, energetic and relatable. He has the ability to develop close relationships with players, to the point where they trust him and also really want to play for him.
On where you think Thompson, Banner, and other top recruits sign:
Zach Banner: USC
Ellis McCarthy: UCLA
Shaq Thompson: Washington
Alphonso Marsh: Washington State
Jordan Payton: Washington
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